p. 16 | The October Collection by A. J. HAYSMER

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 31, 1911

The October Collection

By A. J. HAYSMER

It will soon be time for another annual collection to be taken for the work among the colored people of the South. I am glad to be able to report real progress in this work. Although Satan is doing all in his power to hinder it, the forces of good are stronger than those of evil, and we see many precious souls accepting the message.

Last spring we held an institute for the workers, which was greatly appreciated by them. We had held institutes for our teachers before, but never anything for the ministers. All felt that they had received something that would be a great help to them in their future work. Some of the teachers have been connected with the tent work during their vacation this summer.

But the work for the colored people is not self-supporting; therefore it is our custom to take up a collection the first Sabbath in October for carrying it forward.

“For many years the Lord has been keeping before his people the needs of the work among the colored people in the Southern States of America. The moral darkness of this field is, in itself, a powerful plea for the exercise of liberality. In the past, some have done what they could to support this branch of our work; and their beneficence has borne fruit in the conversion of many souls. Although much remains to be done for the colored people, we have cause for rejoicing over the good beginning that has been made. . .

“Let us thank God, dear brethren and sisters, and take courage. God is laying bare his arm to do a mighty work in this mission field within the borders of our own land. He is now giving his people unusual opportunities to extend the message rapidly to the South. Especially should we reveal a spirit of beneficence at the time the yearly offering for the support of the colored work is taken up. God has reposed confidence in us by making us stewards of means and of his rich grace; and he now points us to the poor and suffering and oppressed, to souls bound in chains of superstition and error, and assures us that if we do good to these, he will accept the deed as done to himself. ‘Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren,’ he declares, ‘ye have done it unto me.’ Matt. 25:40.

“Thousands of colored people in the South may now be uplifted, and become efficient agents to help their own race, if they can receive the help God is calling upon us to give them. Multitudes of men and women in this field feel their deep poverty and their need of uplifting. And when faithful teachers come in to them to open to them the Scriptures just as they read, presenting truth in its native purity, the darkness will disappear. Bright beams of light will shine upon the soul searching for truth. With those who have had advantages, a close and intelligent investigation will take place upon the subjects of truth revealed in the Scriptures. Many will be taught of God. They will learn aright from the Great Teacher, and will accept with joy the truths that will sanctify and uplift. The moral image of God will be restored in the soul, and many will be eternally saved.

“My dear brethren and sisters, Christ is now saying to you: ‘Lift up your eyes and look on this Southern field; for it needs workers—sowers of the seed, and reapers. It needs your means for the maintenance of these workers.’ The grace of Christ is unlimited, it is God’s free gift. Then why should not this neglected people have some hope and courage and faith brought into their lives?

I have been greatly encouraged this summer, as I have been in different places in the West, to see how willing our people are to help in this work. We trust that our dear brethren and sisters will all remember the work in the Southern States,—the work at our own doors,—and that the October collection will be the largest ever made for this work. A. J. HAYSMER.