Florida by J. P. Pegues

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Oct 2, 1913

Florida

By J. P. Pegues

MIAMI.—We came to this city early last December, and pitched our tent in an excellent location. By the middle of December all things were ready. Brother Green began his course of lectures, and I acted as tent master and did some Bible work, and my wife played the organ. From the first, the interest seemed to grow, and the attendance soon became far greater than we were able to accommodate.

Miami is a new town, seventeen years old, and is growing rapidly. The population is about fifteen thousand; one third of these are colored people, most of whom are from the island of Nassau. Our tent is right in the midst of the colored district. There are six colored churches within calling distance of us. Our attendance has been good, and the basket collections have more than paid the operating expenses of our tent. We have electric lights surrounding the outside, as well as on the inside, of our tent. We also have comfortable seats.

We found six adults here who had been keeping the Sabbath before we came, but our meetings soon brought out nineteen more. Then while the meetings were closed, Brother Green having gone to Washington to attend the General Conference, four more began the observance of the Sabbath for the first time. July 1 Elder M. C. Strachan connected with the effort here, and began a new series of lectures, with the result that seven more began the observance of the Lord's Sabbath. Thus at this writing a company of thirty-six have accepted the truth, and there are more than a half-dozen others in the valley of decision, and still others inquiring for a knowledge of the truth.

Our tent has been standing since last December, but the interest to hear the lectures has not decreased. Sunday nights, when there is no rain, our seating capacity is taxed, and many stand up around the edge of the tent.

Since Elder Strachan's arrival, we have had a systematic course of lectures on the subject of health. These lectures have proved extremely popular, and have won many supporters to our principles of healthful living.

Elder Strachan also devoted one week to a series of revival sermons, talks suited to the unconverted. As a result, more than a dozen young men and women from the world attended the services each night during this series, and offered themselves for prayer that they might be converted. While all these have not yet made a complete surrender to God, two have made an open confession of Christ and are now living consistent Christian lives, and the rest have broken off some of their wicked habits and still beg an interest in the prayers of the tent workers.

One Sunday night was devoted to a special temperance rally. Our workers and most of our believers wore tiny white ribbons. Mrs. Edward T. Nelson (white), president of the local W. C. T. U., her husband, and three other temperance workers (white), were present. Mrs. Nelson delivered a stirring address to a large crowd on the spiritual, mental, and physical effects of intoxicating liquors. Several temperance recitations and songs were rendered. A lasting impression for good was made upon the audience.

We have launched a campaign for the raising of sufficient funds to purchase a lot and build a church here, and we expect to be able to hold public worship in our new building before Christmas. Donations to this enterprise have been quite liberal, and almost the required amount has been secured.

Preparations for baptism are now being made, and by the time this report is read the baptism may be over and our church duly organized. Elder Green and I have a number of interested ones with whom we are holding readings. We ask the prayers of all that a strong church may be established at Miami.

J. P. PEGUES.