General Conference Bulletin, vol. 4

WORK AMONG THE COLORED PEOPLE IN SOUTHERN STATES

Notwithstanding the difficulties that confront those engaged in labor for this people, we are glad to be able to report that some progress has been made. The time devoted to this work in the past has brought an experience to those engaged in it, and this has produced a change in methods, which is resulting in more permanent and substantial work. Not many new schools have been started, nor openings made of late, the means and effort being directed to some much-needed buildings, and otherwise strengthening and making more permanent the work already started, thus making it both an object-lesson and a center where others may be brought in, and trained for service in the fields adjoining. GCB April 3, 1901, page 22.5

Owing to the strong racial prejudice that now exists in many parts of this field, it is quite clear that the larger part of the work that is done for this people from this time on must be done by those of their own color; hence our future effort should be largely that of increasing our facilities for the education and training, in that field, of proper persons to engage in missionary and evangelistic work. At present the General Conference has upon its pay-roll twenty-five persons-only four of whom are colored-devoting their entire time to labor for this people. There are several General Conference laborers who devote a portion of their time to this work, and a few others who are doing self-supporting work, or are aided by an occasional donation from friends. In addition to the tithe paid to laborers, $5,156.27 has been received in donations for the support of this work. This does not include several thousand dollars that has been paid by the brethren in the way of donations to the Southern Society, nor $3,700 paid by the Review and Herald Publishing Company for use in this field. GCB April 3, 1901, page 22.6

What we have done and are doing for this people is only a beginning of what should be done. While we through the gospel are indebted to all men, we are doubly indebted to this,-in the main -ignorant and degraded people; for as a nation we are largely responsible for their condition. May the Lord grant us a large measure of his Holy Spirit in this council, and enable us to make plans and devise means for the speedy spread of the truth among them. GCB April 3, 1901, page 22.7