Progress of the Work for the Colored People of the South
By Sydney Scott
THE work in the Southern field is moving on rapidly. The work for the white people is far in advance of that for the colored. God has blessed faithful efforts, and souls are rejoicing in the truth. As we draw near the end of time, calls will be frequent for means to forward the cause of truth in the South. One man said that he was tired of giving to support the work among the colored people; for the results did not justify the expenditure of so much means. These words are from an honest soul. There are more who have said the same. No doubt, when attention is called to the progress of the truth among the colored people, a different feeling will prevail. The Southern field is a great missionary field, with peculiarities not found in any other place. The soil is very stubborn. Prejudice is great. Slavery left its stain on the character and disposition of the people. There are many things which will discourage a worker if he is not rooted and grounded in the love of God. In the South are some precious souls who will respond to the truth when it is presented. The South is the home of the American negro, and he is here to stay. More than eight millions are within the borders of the Southern Union Conference. The negroes of the South are not all worthless, as some newspapers put it. There are many who are intelligent, cultured, and refined. Some own good property, with money in the bank. The writer knows of one whose wealth, in cash, is three hundred thousand dollars. The negroes pay taxes on sixteen million dollars' worth of property; and this has been acquired since the Rebellion. There are many large schools for the colored people. The Tuskegee, or Booker T. Washington's school is the largest of its kind in the South. It is accomplishing a great work for the negro boys and girls. The effect of this school is felt throughout the Southland. Our work is making progress, cutting its way through ignorance and superstition. You can not realize the situation unless you are on the ground. We dare not write it as it is, for fear the reader will disbelieve. Fifteen years ago there were not over twenty colored Seventh-day Adventists south of the Mason and Dixon's line; but to-day there are seven hundred Twelve years ago there was only one colored Seventh-day Adventist church; to-day there are fifty. Fourteen years ago there were only two ministers; to-day there are forty-five in the United States. The tithes of the colored people last year in the United States amounted to five thousand dollars; fifteen years ago it was not over fifty dollars. One year ago there was no sanitarium for the colored people in the whole denomination, where modern methods were used; to-day there is one in Birmingham, Ala., with Dr. L. C. Isbell as chief physician. Thirteen years ago we had no colored Seventh-day Adventist physician; to-day we have five practising, using modern methods. Is any one sorry he has donated means to the colored work? Up to seven years ago, there was never a tent-meeting held for colored people; to-day there are six tent companies in the field, in charge of colored ministers. Five of these are south of the Mason and Dixon's line, and one north. By the time this reaches the readers of the REVIEW, the number will be increased to nine. The man who did not see any good in donating to the Southern work, can rejoice with me for what the Lord has done in this part of the vineyard for the colored people. The Lord is coming in this generation; millions of the South's black population must hear the truth. Cast your bread upon the southern sea, with your gifts and offerings doubled. “Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power.” SYDNEY SCOTT.