MISSISSIPPI by E. P. Auger

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 14, 1902

MISSISSIPPI

By E. P. Auger

CORINTH.—To my appeal in the REVIEW a few weeks ago, a few of our brethren have responded, sending us, in all, four barrels of clothing and some literature. These we have distributed. We sincerely thank our brethren and sisters for enabling us to do much good, and also thank them in behalf of those helped, for they thanked us, many with tears of gratitude.

I have received many inquiries as to what and how much is needed. For the information of those who have written, and others who may be interested, I will give a brief description of the conditions existing in Alcorn County, Miss. Last spring the country north of Corinth, along the Tennessee River, was flooded, and the crops there and in the creek bottom lands were in most places destroyed. This last fall, people left the country in large numbers, hunting for work. Corinth being the nearest and a manufacturing town, many moved here with their families, hoping to find work. As a result, many families are without employment, and in need of everything. The Ladies’ Aid societies are doing but little to relieve the suffering. Since I made this appeal in the REVIEW, one of the clothing factories has closed indefinitely, throwing about two hundred persons out of employment. This adds considerably to the number of the needy. We are doing all in our power to use these opportunities to introduce the truth into the homes of the people. We tell them that these clothes are given to them by a people who are warning the world of the Lord’s soon coming, with the prayer that each receiver may prepare to meet the Lord with joy when He comes. Our work has caused many favorable comments. The last six months I have distributed a barrel of our literature, supplying reading racks at railroad depots, hotels, etc.

As to how much we ought to do for the suffering, we leave it to the Lord to impress those of our people who are willing to send us, prepaid, clothing, or food, or means to buy food, pay expenses of drayage, etc. I would suggest that those intending to send anything in the line of food, write to me about it before sending.

Several Northern families came from Indiana, and are in actual destitution, but are sincere Christians and hard workers. They are not Seventh-day Adventists.

We do not receive pay from any one for doing this Christian Help work, nor do we use anything sent us unless indicated by sender that it is for our personal use. E. P. AUGER.