Time to Help by J. K. Humphrey

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 30, 1909

Time to Help

By J. K. Humphrey

The time for the annual offering for the colored people in the United States is at hand, and the opportunity will be given to all our people to help in this most needy cause. A good work has begun among the colored people through the North American Negro Department. The good that this department can and will do, can not be estimated; but it calls for much more money than has been handled in the past; and that it may not be hindered in its work, we must show a conscientious zeal that has not heretofore characterized our donations for this work. The needs of the work for the colored people in the North also emphasize the appeal for a larger offering this year than has been made any previous year.

I think the time has come when the nearly four million Negroes in the North should receive some consideration. These souls migrate largely from the South, and as a rule do not belong to the better class; indeed, a very small percentage of these immigrants read and write, which increases the difficulty in teaching them the truth.

For the last four winters I have conducted a night school to help those who had a desire to learn to read and write, and have also given studies in the Bible and physiology; and although I have had as good results as may be expected under the circumstances in which I labored, much more could have been done had I had the means; so I believe that when the brethren and sisters know the real condition of things, they will be able to give intelligently and willingly.

Many efforts are awaiting this offering; let us not disappoint these workers, but as the Lord blesses us, let every one give cheerfully and unsparingly. “The Lord loveth a cheerful giver.”

J. K. HUMPHREY.