Work for the Colored People in New Orleans by R. W. Parmele

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 14, 1913

Work for the Colored People in New Orleans

By R. W. Parmele

New Orleans has three hundred and seventy-five thousand inhabitants. This city figured prominently in slave times, and in the days of the civil war. In the old St. Louis Hotel there still remain the cells where slaves were kept, and the block upon which they were sold to the highest bidder. But both the North and the South are glad that those days are over, and are now seeking the good of the race once treated as chattels.

There are about one hundred thousand colored persons in the city of New Orleans, most of whom are descendants of the old slaves. Though it has been but a short time, comparatively, since their freedom was granted to them, they have made remarkable progress. Members of their race may be found in nearly all professions and occupations in the city.

There are many honest hearts among them susceptible to the truth. At this writing we are holding a tent-meeting for white people in the city of Alexandria, and every night a number of colored persons sit on the curbstone across the street from the tent to listen to the proclamation of the truth.

About eight years ago Elder S. B. Horton held a tent-meeting in New Orleans. A small congregation of colored people assembled each night in the vicinity of his tent, and several took their stand for the truth. Shortly thereafter he organized a colored church of fifteen members. They have passed through some unpleasant experiences, but the Lord has had a care for his little flock, and has continually added to their numbers, until at the present time they have a membership of about sixty. They are loyal to the truth, and faithful in supporting the cause as far as their finances permit.

Real estate is very high priced in New Orleans. The city is growing, and the colored people are being gradually crowded back farther from the center. The most suitable place that they have been able to obtain for their meetings is half of a double house. By opening a folding door they have a meeting-room 12 x 24 feet, with no openings on one side, and only one opening in one end, communicating with another room. A large house stands beside this room, which cuts off the air from that side. Will the reader imagine the condition in that overcrowded room on these hot days in this semitropical city?

For these accommodations they have to pay a monthly rental of twelve dollars. This is such a heavy tax on them that they are unable to make much headway in the matter of obtaining a permanent church home. If they had a good church building, their numbers would certainly rapidly increase.

Elder T. B. Buckner and Sister Jones are now working there, and in spite of the lack of conveniences, the number of believers continues to grow. But it seems imperative that a church building be erected for them without delay. This fruitful field must not be longer hampered. Property is advancing in price all the time, and the colored people are being crowded back continually unless they own their homes or churches. It will now take about three thousand dollars to purchase the lot and erect a suitable building. Just how this is going to be accomplished, I do not know. Will not our brethren and sisters make this work a special subject of prayer?

R. W. PARMELE.