Work Among the Colored People
By G. Phillips
I HAVE just finished my work at Little Rock, Ark. I worked thirty-four days in all, selling and delivering 201 “Great Controversies” and a few small books, representing a value of $626.50. This work was done among the colored people, only a very few orders being from white people. I sold three large books (all good bindings, the cheapest one, library) to one colored man. I also sold nine books to a merchant’s wife. It is evidently as Jesus said, the field is white already to harvest. What we want now are men and women who will roll up their sleeves and work as if they could see the heavenly universe watching them,—men and women that are willing to work without having their way smoothed and every obstacle removed. If with joyful consent of the heart we respond to His gracious call, wearing the yoke of Christ, which is one of obedience and love, our difficulties will be removed, our9murmurings will be stilled, and many of the questions that may arise will be answered. What we need now are men that will work in the cause as earnestly and as enthusiastically as worldly men do in their work. Why should we be less energetic than men of the world? Is their work of more importance than ours? The tameness and monotony that we put into our work contradicts our profession. We are weak in faith, deficient in knowledge, and children of inexperience. Only the Christianity that is revealed by earnest, practical work will make an impression upon the people. We are not showing sufficient activity and zeal, and we should seek constantly to improve. Let every succeeding day be made the most important day of labor. There is no work in our world so great, so sacred, and so glorious as this work. I esteem it a great privilege to have a part in it. While the angels are holding the four winds, we should work with all our capabilities. We must bear the message without delay. What if we do come to a Red Sea, or a rolling Jordan, or the walled city of Jericho? We already have the victory in Jesus. The mistake that ancient Israel made was that they shouted the victory on the wrong side of the sea. There is danger of our making the same mistake to-day, although Christ has gained the victory, and given it to us. Thank him for it, and press on. We are now engaged in an institute at Black Rock, Ark. (Jan. 15-30.) Our class is small, but the interest is good. Our blessed Saviour comes very near each day. Sister Ollie Oberholtzer is rendering us very efficient help in the way of Bible lessons each day, showing us the importance of a close connection with God, and the work for this time. Her work is much appreciated by all. The smallest book we have in our class is “Great Controversy.” The work is so great and time so short that we cannot afford to spend much time with small books. We are striving to follow the instructions God has given us by taking such books as “Desire of Ages,” “Patriarchs and Prophets,” “Daniel and the Revelation,” “Great Controversy,” and “Home Hand-Book.” We are sure that, when we pursue the course that God tells us to pursue, and work as he tells us to work, failure will not attend our efforts, but instead we shall be prospered, and our work shall be crowned with success. G. PHILLIPS,
Gen. Can. Agent, S. W. U. C.