The Greatest Commercial City in the South
By W. C. Wales
The healthiest large city in the world is New Orleans, La., the metropolis of the whole vast South. It covers a larger area than any other city in the world, not excepting London; and but one American city enjoys a larger export trade than does this city. It is therefore by all odds the most important commercial center in the South. Here at the mouth of the great Mississippi, it sits as a queen over the immense valleys behind it, and, extending its mighty scepter over all lands and shores bordering the Gulf of Mexico, it seems to hold by nature the key to the entire South American continent. New Orleans is three times the size of any other Southern city except Louisville, and at the annual spring festival the number of visitors equals the population of Memphis, with its one hundred thousand inhabitants. This shows the city to be one of striking possibilities in the way of missionary work. “New Orleans has four hundred and seventy miles of streets, shaded by forest trees, haunted by song birds, fragrant with a wealth of ever-blooming flowers, abundant in season with fruit—the fig, the plum, the pomegranate, and the orange. No other large city in America is so laid open to the sunshine and the air.” Along its extended wharves may be seen shipping from every maritime country. This makes it an important field for the ship missionary. New York is the only city on the continent that surpasses it in the volume of its exports. And what is being done to get the truth before the three hundred thousand people of New Orleans, and through this city to the needy millions that face its portals southward? This great metropolis, with its wonderful beauty, its immense possibilities, its cosmopolitan character, its surpassing location as the gateway to the Mississippi Valley and the key to South America, is having nothing done for it at all in proportion to its needs, its demands, and its dimensions. Elder S. B. Horton, who carried the entire burden of conference, tract society, medical missionary, and city mission work as president of the little Louisiana Conference, last July secured a commodious building for a hygienic restaurant in the very heart of the city. It is but two doors from the palatial St. Charles Hotel, the leading public house of the city, and but one door from the two leading telegraph companies. I know of no city where our people have secured such a central location, and where the prospects are brighter for reaching the boarding business men. The restaurant is at present under the management of Brother D. D. Fitch, and is thronged each day by increasing numbers of professional and business men from the offices and marts of the city. This morning as I sat at breakfast, the United States circuit judge having jurisdiction over five Southern States, came in and ate his morning meal. Thus daily is the way being prepared for the truth to be carried to the best classes of people. Elder Horton's home has always been in New Orleans, and as he has been closely identified in former years with leading men of the city and State, he commands an unusual opportunity of reaching these typical Southern people. The Lord has certainly led out in securing the foothold already gained. But the work in this great city of such continental and international importance should not be allowed to rest upon one frail man's shoulders, nor upon the young and struggling Louisiana Conference. The rent of the large building is more than one hundred dollars a month. This is a heavy drain. Our people should come to the rescue, by furnishing donations and workers. If a class of young people could be formed to take instruction in cookery from Sister Fitch, they could pay their expenses by assisting in the restaurant. Sister Fitch formerly taught the cooking school in the Battle Creek Sanitarium, and is a skillful teacher and cook. In this great city and State there is a painful lack of laborers. No other Southern conference is so bankrupt in workers. Help is greatly needed at once. Many of our brethren could do great good by moving to places where there are at present just a few believers. Preachers and gospel workers are greatly needed. A secretary for the tract society is a pressing necessity. Treatment rooms should be opened in the city at once, and this great metropolis should receive the attention which its size, location, and importance demand. Who will come? Who can assist at once with even small cash donations? In this State the calls come in from new places; small companies must be built up; and work in New Orleans, so trustingly and auspiciously begun, must be sustained and prosecuted; and every branch should at once receive re-enforcement. Does not the Lord impress the heart of some brother as he reads these lines? Elder Horton must have help. The large educated French element of New Orleans must be reached. Here is a mild climate, here are hospitable people, here is work to do for the Master. Address all inquiries and send all donations to Elder S. B. Horton, 303 St. Charles St., New Orleans, La. In behalf of the Master,
W. C. WALES.