Upon Whom Does the Responsibility Rest of Supporting the Colored Work?
By George I. Butler
“Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” These words, uttered by the Saviour just before he ascended to the Father, have been resounding through the ages till the present time. They were never more forcible than now. As Christ’s second coming and the close of probation draw nigh, the demand upon our energies seems to intensify. The Saviour’s words serve as a foundation for all the true missionary work ever done. We as a people are a missionary people, or we have entirely mistaken our calling. The warning of the world is the one great feature of our work. The second coming of Christ is the leading theme of interest, and to prepare a people for that event is the great burden resting upon those giving the message. Christ had an interest in all mankind, but he manifested an especial interest in the poor, the unfortunate, the oppressed, the sad and suffering. There is great force placed upon this distinction in the Saviour’s wonderful parable of the rich man and Lazarus. One character was a very rich man, clothed in purple and faring sumptuously every day, leading, no doubt, a purely worldly life. The other was in the deepest depths of poverty and misfortune; like Job, covered with sores, begging for the crumbs that fell from the rich man’s table. In the great transition afterward, this poor beggar finds himself enjoying the favor of God and his great salvation. The worldly fortunate man finds himself in torment, begging for a drop of water to cool his tongue. Notice the reply that comes to his appeal: “Remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and thou art tormented.” He had great blessings in this life, and took his earthly comfort in the enjoyment of them. He manifested no gratitude to God and no sympathy for Lazarus; he did nothing to relieve his distress. The dogs showed more sympathy than he did. The good things he had he used for himself and for his friends. The refuse crumbs that were of no value to the rich men were all that Lazarus received. God and Christ regard with great pity the poor and unfortunate; and none can be truly children of God without imitating their conduct and character. Who shall say that God and Christ do not look with special sympathy upon unfortunate, oppressed nations as well as upon unfortunate individuals? The same principle applies to both. Races are composed of individual units. The Jewish nation was chosen of God when in great affliction in Egypt, and he brought them forth, and planted them in a favored land. His ears were ever open to their cries when in distress. But when they became proud, worldly, hard-hearted, rich, and oppressive, rejecting the humble Nazarene, it was said, “Lo, we turn to the Gentiles.” The heathen nations received the gospel. They were in terrible darkness and depravity. Many of them felt their need of help. God sent them that help. A most wonderful work was wrought among them. The earth became enlightened with the rays of the gospel. Now the so-called enlightened nations have become proud, oppressive, and many despise the Africans. If there is a poor, distressed, unfortunate race on earth, it is the African race. In both the Old and the New World this is true. Some nine millions of them are in the United States, the greater part of them being in the Southern Union Conference. Having come from a condition of darkness and bondage, with but little education, they have great need of the help of those who have been more highly favored. In the order of God great light is shining forth concerning the soon coming of our Lord in his glory. Our cause here in the South is composed of some eight weak, struggling conferences. In great States, like Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, etc., we have from one hundred and fifty to two hundred and fifty members each; only a very few have more than this last number. It is with great difficulty that these conferences can successfully carry on their work for the whites alone, because of the lack of laborers and means, and the great amount of territory to work. How different the strength of Northern conferences! West Michigan has 4,419 members; California, 4,012; Iowa, 3,841; Wisconsin, 3,257; Indiana, 2,075; Minnesota, 2,000; Colorado, 2,415; Kansas, 2,550; Missouri, 2,000; Nebraska, 2,680. The whole Southern Union Conference of nine large States has only 2,242 members. Nearly all of these large conferences have more members in each State than all the nine States composing7the Southern Union Conference. It is simply absurd to suppose that our people in the South, so few comparatively in number, and with so little means, can assume the burden of caring for and properly supporting so important and difficult a work as the enlightenment of nine million colored people in the South. There is great danger that our people will confine their sympathies too much to their own local conferences. Our hearts must go out to poor, suffering humanity everywhere. Christ could not be satisfied to remain in all the bliss of heaven while multitudes were perishing for lack of his light and blessing. We must ever follow his perfect example. How strongly, pointedly, and repeatedly has the servant of God pleaded with our people to rally and take hold of the neglected colored work with far greater vigor! Those here in the South know full well the need of such an effort. We know of no more needy cause in this world to-day than the colored work of the South. The fact that race prejudices are kindling in all directions, and far less interest is being taken in that people than was seen forty years ago, is only an additional reason why we should redouble our efforts to help them, and be the more faithful to bring God’s glorious truths before them. The servant of the Lord has faithfully warned us that the way may be entirely hedged up in the South erelong. Surely active and efficient help ought to be rendered at once to these needy ones. Let us be most earnest to work while the day lasts; for the night soon cometh when no man can work. This is a work that lies immediately at our own doors. Our responsibility as a whole people can not be shirked. It must be met if we are to hear the blessed words, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.” The General Conference Committee of our people at its recent meeting in College View took a noble stand on this important question. With absolute unanimity they voted to appoint the first Sabbath of each November for a general collection throughout the whole United States for the suffering colored work of the South. Our gratitude is simply inexpressible for this act of justice and helpfulness from the leading brethren in this cause. No one but those who have felt the terrible burden of this work pressing on their shoulders, with their hands tied for lack of means, can possibly realize the relief this brings. But the appointment of a day will amount to but little unless our people feel the importance of giving liberally to this needy cause. Help this needy work, dear brethren and sisters everywhere, by liberally contributing to this colored work the first Sabbath in November. G. I. BUTLER,
President Southern Union Conf.