Another Church in Philadelphia
By S. D. Hartwell
Among those who have become interested in present truth in Philadelphia, and have united with the North Philadelphia church of Seventh-day Adventists from time to time in the past few years, have been several representatives of the Negro race. Some of these have been active in the work of enlightening others in reference to the truths peculiar to the denomination, and the membership of the church from among the colored population of the city has increased. For some months, Elder W. H. Heckman and those associated with him in the management of the conference have felt the necessity of putting forth greater efforts for this class of Philadelphia's vast population, which alone numbers nearly as much as the population of some conferences. About a year ago the Colorado Conference offered to support one of its ordained ministers for a time to work among the people of his own nationality in Philadelphia, and Elder T. H. Branch has been laboring with encouraging results there. On Sabbath, February 11, Elder Heckman, with Elder Branch and other ministers in the city, met with the colored people in their chapel at 1700 Woodstock Street, and after a stirring and timely address by Elder Heckman on “The Church, Its Organization and Purposes,” in which the relation of the membership to the church and to one another was made very clear, the organization of the first colored church of Seventh-day Adventists of Philadelphia was perfected, with a membership of sixteen. Some of these joined subject to letters from the North Philadelphia church, some subject to letters from other churches, and others on profession of faith, subject to baptism. The entire congregation assembled seemed to be enthusiastic over the organization, and numbers of those who did not unite gave evidence of their indorsement of the movement by making substantial pledges toward a fund for the purchase of suitable property for holding meetings, $165 being subscribed for this purpose. If the same enthusiasm with which the organization of this church was effected continues for three years, the first colored Seventh-day Adventist church of Philadelphia will prove an efficient power in warning the cities of the East. That this may be the case, is the hope of all who are interested in this work.