p. 17 | The Work for the Colored People in the South

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 1, 1906

The Work for the Colored People in the South

By W. H. Swait

WHAT we need most in this southland is men filled with the Holy Spirit. The colored man is not able to instruct himself in all the phases of the message. The previous education of the negro has not been in harmony with the third angel's message. He has many false ideas in regard to an education. If we can understand the conditions and environments, then we can begin our work properly.

I have been working for this people a number of years, in their homes and otherwise, and truly it is a difficult task. About twenty months ago I came to this place to teach a church-school for the colored people. This was the hardest task I ever attempted. I sought the Lord by prayer and fasting, and he came very close to me, and gave me power for the work before me. I had received no special training for this work, and it seems that there are none who are trained for this work. My heart aches when I contemplate the conditions of this downtrodden and benighted people, but the Lord has assured me that he would bring some of them to his kingdom that they may behold his glory.

We have a substantial building and forty acres of land at this place for a beginning of the work among these people, but there is none to begin it properly. The Lord's work is one in all the nations of the earth, but there seems to be a gap in it in this southland.

While I was praying for this cause, the Lord whispered, “They are trying to do this work by proxy.” Is there not some white brother or sister who is willing to forsake home and people and come South and begin work for this sin-cursed, degraded race, and from among them gather some sheaves for the Lord's harvest?

We have no colored man trained to do the work needed at this place. A novice will not do.

Let this prayer go from the heart of every true believer in the cause: Lord, send some one to begin this neglected work. W. H. SWAIT.