AT the close of the Civil War was the golden opportunity for church and missionary work in the South. The colored people were then easier to lead, as their habits as freedmen were not yet formed. Some religious denominations undertook this work in a measure, but none so heartily as the Baptists, who had forecast the outcome of the war, and had their forces ready at the proper time. Hence the Baptists have the leading place among the colored churches. Many mission schools were established; and missionary work has been continued in a more or less efficient manner, and through various channels. The most successful effort in this line which we have met is that of the Baptist Women's Missionary Society. This society is all that its name indicates, and it is doing energetic, sensible work. About one hundred women missionaries are employed in this field under the control and pay of the society. It operates in the churches and homes of the people, and its object is to relieve suffering and elevate the people.
But the crying need of this field is better educational facilities. More than fifty-five per cent. of the colored people can not read. To them the Bible is a sealed book, only as they take its lessons from the lips of others. Hence they are in a position to be misled by false and unscrupulous teachers. Too often those who should be spiritual leaders of the flock, are but "blind leaders of the blind." Custom and tradition take the place of a "thus saith the Lord," and govern the lives of the people, accordingly.
Mission School at Vicksburg, Miss.
It will, then, be readily seen that the first work to be done is to teach the colored people to read the Bible for themselves, and to instruct them in the importance and power of God's Word; also that obedience to its teaching is required. At present a wide latitude is allowed, and in many churches is required the paradox of a change of heart without a change of life, the ministry setting the example. The sight of a minister in a large and popular church taking a drink of whisky from a flask while in the pulpit, does not tend to instil into the hearts of his people lessons of sobriety and godly living. This is an actual scene, which came to the knowledge of the writer. Another minister in a prominent colored church, when brought face to face with Bible truths which he and his church were ignoring, exclaimed in a sermon from his pulpit, "I'll die and go to hell before I'll change." Thus church creeds are placed above the acknowledged teachings of the Bible by the ministers, and the word of the minister goes farther with the majority than a direct command from the Word of God.
As a rule, moral darkness surrounds the people as a pall. We have attended church meetings and communion seasons, and have noted the men and women most active in the "experiences" and services, and before the week was over have seen numbers of these same people mingling in the orgies of the lowest dens, which flourish along the main streets of some of our Southern cities. Yet there are, in every place we have entered, earnest people who realize the moral and spiritual darkness which surrounds them, and are crying earnestly to God for light and help. When we come to them with plain lessons from the Bible, they gladly receive us as a direct answer to their prayers.
What do these people need?—They need educating physically, mentally, and morally. They must be taught to eat, drink, live, and work properly. They must have their mental powers instructed and expanded by proper education. Their moral natures must be quickened, and they must be taught to discern right from wrong; between the sacred and the common; between the service of Satan and the service of God.
In most cases their religious training is at fault. They are an intensely religious people, but much of their religious manifestation is like the rank growth of noxious weeds in a fruitful soil. Properly cultivated, the soil produces an abundant crop of useful products. Left to itself, it will produce weeds, briars, and thistles, which are "nigh unto cursing." In this work, Satan has been very busy; for he would much prefer to have a false religion, which can not save, engross the mind and energies of the people, than to have them indifferent or actual infidels. This class of people is hard to reach, and they are the most bitter opposers of God's plain truth.
Teach them the power and importance of God's Word, and the necessity of obedience when it speaks. As they learn to read for themselves, let the every-day lessons be drawn from the Bible. As their minds expand, they will take in the power and importance of the Word. They will grow into it, and their faith will strengthen. They must not be hurried. Let disputed doctrines alone. They will settle themselves later. Just get their feet planted firmly on the Word of God, and there is then a channel established through which the Holy Spirit will speak, to the enlightenment of the mind.
The following selections from a recent letter from Mrs. E. G. White are especially applicable in this connection:—
How pleased I am that the work in the Southern field is advancing! My prayer is, Let it advance, deepen, widen, enlarge, until this shall be a part of the vineyard no longer neglected, but under cultivation. May it be a fruitful garden of the Lord. This can only be done by educating the colored people to read. Then the Word of God, the Bible, placed in their hands, even tho without explanation, will be made plain and applied by the Holy Spirit.
The apostle Paul considered that the Jew had a great advantage above the Gentile, "because unto them had been committed the oracles of God." This is the highest commendation or testimony of the value of the Bible. Every effort should be made to have the sacred Book containing the whole of the revelation of God, placed in the hands of all nations, tongues, and people.
If the mere possession of the Bible is an advantage, how much greater is the privilege of knowing how to read and study its pages! All who wish to13understand the Word are stewards of God as verily as those who have been entrusted with riches. Earthly possessions are talents to be imparted to others to advance the work of righteousness in the world.
The Bible is becoming more and more an educating lesson-book for children and youth, giving to the young, to those of mature age, and to the aged of every nation, the instruction of truth in heavenly things which is the higher education.
Teach the colored people to read the Word of God, and it will have a transforming power upon life and character, and give vigor to the intellect. As its principles are sent home by the power of the Holy Spirit, they will work a positive reformation in the minds of all who receive the Word.
Our only hope for this field is in the transforming power of the Spirit of God as brought to the people through the Word.
