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Now Is the Time

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Feb 16, 1911

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 88, No. 7.

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Now Is the Time

By A. J. HAYSMER

THERE are times in the history of the work of God when certain fields demand immediate attention and prompt working. I am fully convinced that this is true of the work for the colored people of this country, as I read the messages that have come to us in the last fifteen years. The reason given for this is because “elements are at work that will close the field to this message.”
It would be pleasing to the enemy if he could prevent us from realizing the importance of the situation until he has had time to entirely close the work. The Lord calls upon us to take up this work with renewed earnestness, and that without delay. The following extracts from volume nine of the Testimonies show the great importance of this work:—
“The powers of hell are working with all their ingenuity to prevent the proclamation of the last message of mercy among the colored people.”
“The Spirit of God is being withdrawn from the world; and in many places it is impossible now to do that work which could have been done for the colored people in past years.”
“For many years I have borne a heavy burden in behalf of the Negro race. My heart has ached as I have seen the feeling against this race growing stronger and still stronger, and I have seen that many Seventh-day Adventists are apparently unable to understand the necessity for an earnest work being done quickly. Years are passing into eternity with apparently little done to help those who were recently a race of slaves.”
“Most decided efforts should be made to educate and train colored men and women to labor as missionaries in the Southern States of America. Christian colored students should be preparing to give the truth to their own race.”
“There is the greatest need for all kinds of missionary work in the South. Without delay workers must be prepared for this field. Our people should provide a fund for the education of men and women in the Southern States, who, being accustomed to the climate, can work there without endangering their health. Promising young men and women should be educated to become teachers. They should have the very best advantages. Schoolhouses and meetinghouses should be built in different places, and teachers employed.”
“Our churches in the North, as well as in the South, should do what they can to help support the school work for the colored children. The schools already established should be faithfully maintained. The establishment of new schools will require additional funds. Let all our brethren and sisters do their part whole-heartedly to place these schools on vantage-ground.”
Now is the time to talk courage and hope, and redouble our efforts to finish the work. God is blessing the efforts put forth. Over three hundred accepted the truth last year. Our workers are of good courage, and pressing forward to do a greater work this year.
We need the moral and financial help of all our people.
A. J. HAYSMER.