p. 17 | Maryland by Gustavus P. Rodgers

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 5, 1914

Maryland

By Gustavus P. Rodgers

BALTIMORE.—The first convention of the colored churches of the Chesapeake Conference was held in the new church at Baltimore, Wednesday night, January 14. The meeting was opened with an address by the president of the conference, Elder R. T. Baer. Services were held all day during the convention, beginning at 7:30 each morning. Elder T. H. Branch, of Philadelphia; Elder F. H. Senney, of our own conference; Elder J. M. Campbell, of Washington; and the writer constituted the help for the daily services. All the convention sessions were presided over by Elder Baer, and the resolutions passed will appear in the Union Visitor and the Gospel Herald. There are four churches in this conference, and three of them had delegates present. The good reports of the work in their localities brought from all words of praise to the Lord for his blessings.

The colored churches in this conference are not large, but their liberality to the cause of God shows that they have the work at heart. With a total membership of about one hundred, these believers have given in the past twelve months about seventeen hundred dollars. The money raised for home work added to this makes a total of about twenty-five hundred dollars. Although the church at Dover, Del., was not represented by any delegate, yet the members there are working faithfully to do their best to send the gospel to all the world in this generation. The needs of the colored people are great and urgent. In this large field of 275,000 of these people, with only two workers to labor for them, it is quite a problem to know how to reach them all.

During the convention Dr. H. N.

Sisco and Dr. Bourdeau-Sisco, with a trained nurse, gave a splendid medical lecture and demonstration, which all greatly enjoyed. Excellent services were conducted by Elder Campbell on Friday night. Elder Branch preached the sermon Sabbath morning. At the last service Sunday night the church was filled, and the Spirit of the Lord came very near as Elder Seeney gave a stirring talk on the seven last plagues.

A Sabbath school convention was held Sabbath morning, and a young people's convention in the afternoon. The members of the first church visited these meetings, and greatly enjoyed them. Good papers were read and discussed, and with solos, duets, quartets, and speeches, a profitable afternoon was spent. As the result of all the meetings, we expect to see souls brought to Christ. At the close of the convention, those attending said it was the best meeting they had ever attended, and all were sorry when it was over.

We believe that we shall have an encouraging report to give to the readers of this paper at the close of this year's work among the colored people in this conference; for all present pledged themselves to a deeper consecration in the service of God. We expect great things from the Lord.

Gustavus P. Rodgers.