p. 16 | New Orleans by O. M. Hayward

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 8, 1902

New Orleans

By O. M. Hayward

New Orleans, the metropolis of the South, has long been pointed out as a place where work should be done. The Testimonies have several times made special mention of it, and urged that the banners of truth be planted there in a strong, judicious work that would win the people. Just now, returning from a ten days’ visit to the place, I want to testify to my brethren, and especially to those engaged in the medical missionary work, that there is no more interesting, promising, or needy field than New Orleans as regards size, location, social and industrial conditions, and missionary opportunities.

At a meeting of the Southern Union Conference Committee last April, it was decided, in response to an earnest appeal from Elder S. B. Horton, president of the Louisiana Conference, that the writer should visit New Orleans as soon as possible, and in connection with Elder Horton study the situation and make arrangements for a medical missionary enterprise. Ever since that time there have been earnest prayers ascending continually to God in behalf of that city, and those prayers have been answered. A building in the center of New Orleans, Nos. 303, 305, St. Charles Street, has been rented, and a food store and health restaurant was opened July 1. The restaurant is in charge of Brother D. D. Fitch and his mother, Sister D. A. Fitch. Two nurses will begin work at once, giving treatments in the homes of patients. It is expected that treatment parlors will be opened on the second floor of the restaurant building in the near future.

During the last two years repeated efforts have been made to get some workers located in New Orleans, and it is a matter for a great deal of thankfulness that we are able to secure such valuable help at this time. We regard this as one of the many evidences that God is ready now to work with us in a wonderful manner for the great crescent city. Another evidence is the readiness with which we found openings that enabled these laborers to begin work at once, developing a permanent and substantial institution.

The building that has just been rented was formerly used by the W. C. T. U. for restaurant purposes, the man who recently occupied it having purchased the outfit from them a few months ago. He carried on the same business, and transferred it to our people at a very low figure, in order that he might be free to devote his time to a pleasure-boat business in which he has recently become interested, and over which his enthusiasm ran so high that he was willing to dispose of his restaurant at almost any price. He transfers to us his business, all the furniture for dining room, serving room, kitchen, and rooms above, for twelve hundred dollars, and indorses us to the landlord for the unexpired term of his lease, nineteen months. The location is said by persons who are in a position to know, to be a valuable one. Brother Horton says he has had his eye on it for three years, wishing and praying that it might fall into our hands.

With this opening before us, we estimated that we could start a health restaurant safely and creditably with a capital of two thousand dollars. We also did all we could to find out how such a restaurant as we should operate would be received, and met with encouragement from many sources. But all this amounted to nothing, since we had no money to invest. Several plans were discussed, and while praying over them, we were all impressed to go to our brethren at Welsh, and tell them the situation. It was decided that Brethren Horton and Fitch and myself should go there to hold a two days’ meeting. Beginning Friday night and closing Sunday night, we had a very interesting series of meetings. The Lord blessed greatly in the study of the word. In regard to the New Orleans proposition the brethren said, “This opening is of God; we must step into it;” and they sent us back to the city prepared to close a trade with the restaurant man. With courageous hearts and strong faith in God these brethren moved forward unhesitatingly to meet the demands of the hour, and assumed financial burdens which are not right for them at the present time. We trust that their example may lead others to aid in the development of the work in the great city of New Orleans, whose multitudes, engrossed in busy activities during the day, and in seeking comfort and pleasure in river excursions and in the parks and lakeside resorts at night, know but little of the beneficent laws ordained unto life by an all-wise Creator, or of the soon-coming Saviour whose blessings and mercies they so constantly enjoy.

By reason of its location and its trade with the outside world, as well as its size, New Orleans is of general interest, and the work there should have general support. The burden is too great for a small, weak conference with only a few small churches. There is opportunity for some one outside of Louisiana to help. Elder S. B. Horton is glad to receive donations, or to answer questions about this work. His address is 305 St. Charles St., New Orleans, La.

The people of New Orleans are courteous and pleasant to deal with. They welcome Northern enterprise, but will not tolerate Northern or Western aggression along certain lines. They have customs and social ideas which they will permit no one to tear down. Workers there need to be careful and respectful. It is a matter for thankfulness in this connection that Elder Horton is a native of the city, and has lived there nearly all his life. There are many nations represented in New Orleans, and many classes of people for whom we should labor. Believers may be brought out there who will be of great service in carrying the message to other lands.

New Orleans is a thriving, bustling city with unlimited opportunities for missionary work and with glorious possibilities for the wide spreading of the gospel. Work there must be undertaken on a large scale. Such efforts as are being made in some of our large Northern cities would not be out of place in New Orleans. At an early date the readers of the REVIEW will be favored by Elder Horton with a description of the city, its needs and possibilities.

O. M. HAYWARD, Chairman Medical Missionary Department Southern Union Conference.