p. 17 | A. N. DURRANT by A. N. Durrant

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 4, 1913

A. N. DURRANT

By A. N. Durrant

Pennsylvania

PITTSBURGH.—In this city of more than one million inhabitants there is a colored church of about thirty members. The city contains seventy-five thousand colored people, for whom very little has been done, so far as giving them the third angel’s message is concerned.

A little over a year ago the writer was brought here from the West Indies to labor for this people. The work was reorganized, and an effort made to build it up in every way possible. The Lord has blessed, and there has been an addition of ten or twelve members and a marked increase in tithes and offerings. All are poor in this world’s goods, but the majority are faithful in their support of the work.

Recently I was advised by the conference committee to plan for a two days’ general meeting, when all the isolated members could gather for a careful study of our God-given work. We planned a good program, rented an old Baptist church, and invited Elder J. K. Humphrey, of New York, to help. Elder R. A. Underwood, the conference president, and other workers were with us most or all of the time, until we were compelled to abandon our program.

The snowfall of November 8 and 9 caused the roof of the old church to give way, and we were forced out of the building on Sunday afternoon, in the midst of our program. The Lord saved us, for had the roof come down suddenly, probably fifty or more of us would have been killed. To him be all the praise. The building is of no use as it is now. For the past seven or eight years this little company has worshiped in seven or more different places. This condition has now become a decided hindrance to the advancement of the work among this people. With twelve or more large churches around us, it is not easy to get people to leave their churches and go wandering about with us. We do not know at this writing where we shall hold our services. The need of a permanent place is urgent.