Slavery—Will It Be Revived?

SDA Work Begins With Liberated Slaves

The slaves in the United States were liberated in the 1860’s. But it was not until 1895 that Seventh-day Adventists began in any serious way to labor for the colored people. In January of that year, Mrs. White’s son, James Edson White, with his missionary boat, “The Morning Star” and with a company of associate workers, all on a self-supporting basis, began work among the colored people in Mississippi. There was a gratifying response. Schools were started, churches were organized and buildings erected. The work conducted by Seventh-day Adventists among the liberated slaves and their children was on its way. SWR 3.2

This was just at a time when a number of Seventh-day Adventists were having serious problems in the South because of their violation of the state Sunday laws. Some were imprisoned or placed in chain-gangs. Among us there were some differences of opinion as to just what attitude we should take under such circumstances. Some felt that we must show our faith by doing manual labor in the sight of others on Sunday so that they would know where we stood. Others took the chopping-block out near the street and split wood on Sunday morning. Some of our sisters hung out their washing on that day. Now with a work beginning among the colored people, Seventh-day Adventist leaders faced this question: What counsel shall we give to these new believers in this tense region of North America? SWR 3.3