I am here this morning to speak of the work of the Southern Missionary Society among the colored people of the South. I shall make my remarks just as brief as possible, as mother has some things to present to you also.GCB April 14, 1903, page 199.3

First, as to the extent of the field. There are about 8,000,000 colored people in the Southern states. If we should indulge in comparisons, we could say that there are more than twice as many colored people in the South as the whole population of Australia and adjacent islands.GCB April 14, 1903, page 199.4

The condition of this people is deplorable. The larger proportion of them are helpless and hopeless, so far as the betterment of their condition is concerned. There is no need of our going down there and merely talking to them. We must open up some avenue by which they can work and use their hands.GCB April 14, 1903, page 199.5

I might say just a word in regard to trades. Booker Washington, the leader of education among the colored people in the South, states that before the war nearly all the trades were carried on by the colored people. They were educated as blacksmiths, carpenters, masons, and in all the trades. But when slavery was abolished, the growing generation preferred a small wage which they could spend, rather than to take the time to learn a trade. So the trades have been dying out among the colored people, and they are reduced to a starvation life upon a farm in the interior, or perhaps worse starvation in the cities.GCB April 14, 1903, page 199.6

Eight years ago the tenth of last January, the “Morning Star” tied up at Vicksburg, Mississippi, according to instruction from the General Conference. It was perhaps the hardest spot in the South for the opening of the work, but aggressive work was begun, and has been pressed forward in that state ever since.GCB April 14, 1903, page 199.7

Our society has built up and is now operating five schools in Mississippi, four colored and one white. The recommendation of the Southern Union Conference was that the Southern Union Missionary Society should give their attention to the colored work. Then how is it we are conducting a white school? Our superintendent of schools in Mississippi is Brother Rogers, a white man. He was teaching the colored school in Vicksburg. But the time came when it became imperative that colored teachers should teach the colored schools in Mississippi. Hence Brother Rogers withdrew from this colored school, and colored teachers took his place. Then, by the earnest request of the white people of Vicksburg, he started an effort among them, and we therefore have a well-conducted white school of thirty or forty scholars there. He can superintend the colored schools just the same, and still work for the white people in this way.GCB April 14, 1903, page 199.8

The membership of these schools is nearly double the membership of Huntsville and Graysville together. I do not draw these comparisons for the sake of belittling any work, but that you may see the comparative amount of the work being done.GCB April 14, 1903, page 199.9

These schools are located at Vicksburg, Yazoo City, Columbus, and Jackson. We also undertook to carry forward the school at Hildebran, but, owing to certain circumstances, the management of this school has been placed in the hands of the Carolina Conference.GCB April 14, 1903, page 199.10

A few months ago the president of the Mississippi Conference united with Brother Rogers in organizing a colored church at Vicksburg, and one at Yazoo City. There are also companies at Calmar, Columbus, and Jackson. Our laborers have also carried forward efforts in Nashville, Memphis, and Edgefield Junction, in Tennessee, and in Louisville and Bowling Green, in Kentucky.GCB April 14, 1903, page 199.11

Now I want to read briefly in regard to workers who have been developed by this work in the South: “In a recent letter from Sister White, the statement was made, ‘The Lord is hungry for fruit.’GCB April 14, 1903, page 200.1

“In the little book ‘The Southern Work,’ from the same pen, is the statement, ‘The South is the most needy field, the most neglected field, and the most fruitful field.’GCB April 14, 1903, page 200.2

“The Southern Missionary Society has been operating in this field for several years. What ‘fruit’ has it to show? Does it bear out the statement that this is a ‘fruitful field’? What has the society to show for its work, and the means it has used?GCB April 14, 1903, page 200.3

“At the start, it is only fair to state that those who pioneered this work were beginners. They were not workers in the cause in any capacity. They came to the South to engage in this special work, and developed in the work on the ground.GCB April 14, 1903, page 200.4

“Never since this beginning has any regular worker of the denomination connected with the society in its work. All the workers have been developed in the work and by the work.GCB April 14, 1903, page 200.5

“At the present time there are twenty-seven workers in the different departments of the society.GCB April 14, 1903, page 200.6

“Five ordained ministers have been developed in the work of the Southern Missionary Society. None of these were workers for any conference when they were taken up by the society. And in the work of the society they became so well fitted for their work that they were ordained as ministers, two of them by the General Conference and three by the Southern Union Conference. All these ministers are now doing efficient ministerial work in the South.GCB April 14, 1903, page 200.7

“Two public speakers are also doing good work, and it is expected they will soon be ready for ordination.GCB April 14, 1903, page 200.8

“Thirteen school-teachers have in different ways been fitted for their work. Some have been brought from the North; some who were qualified have been converted to the truth; and some have been educated to work, beginning in the mission schools and finishing in the Huntsville Training School. Some of these are holding positions as principals of our important mission schools, and some are filling positions as intermediate and primary teachers. Several teachers of special ability and sterling worth are among this number.GCB April 14, 1903, page 200.9

“Medical Missionary Workers.—The superintendent and matron of the Nashville Colored Sanitarium were brought from private home life in the North. Two nurses are in training, and others are soon expected to begin a course of study in this department. One young man is being educated by the society as a physician, at the Meharry Medical College, of Nashville, and another is being assisted in his course at the same school. Both are intelligent, well-educated young men. One will graduate in eighteen months, and the other one year later.GCB April 14, 1903, page 200.10

“Bible-workers.—Some good Bible-workers have been developed. Some of the teachers are also becoming proficient workers in this department.”GCB April 14, 1903, page 200.11

FINANCIAL STATEMENT

No Authorcode

This approximate statement includes all received from Restitution Fund, gifts, legacies, and from all other outside sources. It covers a period of eight years, with the exception of something over $300 assistance received for the building of the first church in Vicksburg. It is given to Jan. 1, 1903.GCB April 14, 1903, page 200.12

Total rec’d from donations, appropriations, etc. $19,448 59 Profit on sales and business enterprises 2,193 92 Total receipts $21,642 51 RESOURCES Vicksburg property $ 5,000 00 Hildebran school property 3,400 00 Yazoo City school property 800 00 Columbus school property 500 00 Yazoo City lot 300 00 Wilsonia lot 100 00 Total real estate $10,100 00 Invested in Nashville Colored Sanitarium 2,109 50 School and industrial equipments, est. 400 00 Office fixtures 160 25 Stock in business enterprises 54 69 Bills and accounts receivable 815 33 Cash in bank 135 64 Total $13,775 41 LIABILITIES Bills payable $ 1,768 00 Accounts payable 1,060 73 Total $ 2,828 73 Leaving a present worth of $10,946 68

It will be seen that the present worth of the society represents more than half the entire receipts for eight years. The remainder has been paid out in the necessary expenses of the work. Out of these running expenses we would mention the following:—GCB April 14, 1903, page 200.13

Aid given to the needy $ 2,299 35 Headquarters expense 2,210 37

The remainder of all receipts have been expended in the field work of the society.GCB April 14, 1903, page 200.14

This includes several hundred dollars given by the society to different schools not under its control. When a school was in need, even though carried on by private individuals, we would send them help if we could.GCB April 14, 1903, page 200.15

Now, one point I want to correct right here. The statement has been afloat that no proper account has been kept of the donations to this work. I will say that we have the records showing the names of the donors, and accounting for every cent that has come to this society for eight years. They have all been published in the “Gospel Herald,” except the latest report now in preparation. There is no Seventh-day Adventist who could not have received publications which would have shown him how every cent had been received by the society and how it was expended.GCB April 14, 1903, page 200.16

Another point. We have been met with the statement that the “Morning Star” was built with funds donated by the poor people of the denomination. That is a mistake, brethren and sisters. The “Morning Star” is my personal property, built with my own money. Further than this, the running expenses have all been paid from my own income. I will also say that the living expenses on the boat were always met by myself. Often the company numbered from ten to eighteen hands, and, as a general thing, living is quite expensive in the South. Even the salaries of all the workers employed by the society for years were taken not from donations, but from my own personal income. But as the work became so large that this income would not carry it, the donations were then used to pay these salaried expenses. I ask that these things be understood. I state these things for the sole purpose that you may know where your donations have gone. For years donations were taken religiously to build schoolhouses and equip them. These statements are all susceptible of proof.GCB April 14, 1903, page 200.17

The question may be raised, Where did you get this money? The Lord gave it to us.GCB April 14, 1903, page 201.1

Some little books were brought out. First was the “Gospel Primer,” the original design of which was for use in teaching the colored people. The sale of a few thousand copies was expected, but to our astonishment it has reached nearly a million.GCB April 14, 1903, page 201.2

Mother helped us with the book “Christ Our Saviour,” which has had a sale of three or four hundred thousand. Two or three hundred thousand copies of “Best Stories” have been sold. It is estimated that a sufficient number of copies of “Coming King” have been circulated to make a column four miles high. With the royalties from these books, besides carrying many other enterprises and lines of work, we built the “Morning Star.”GCB April 14, 1903, page 201.3

One thing I now ask, please do not call this J. E. White’s work. It is God’s work. It is God’s plan, and what He has been telling us to do for ten years. It is in no sense a private enterprise. We have desired that everything that appears like individual enterprise might be taken out of the work, and that it might be placed beside other lines of denominational work. It is an accepted branch of the Southern Union Conference. The following action was taken at the recent committee meeting at Nashville:—GCB April 14, 1903, page 201.4

“Your committee appointed to outline the work of the Southern Missionary Society and its relation to other branches of work in the Southern Union Conference submit the following:—GCB April 14, 1903, page 201.5

“That the principal work of the society shall be the establishing and maintaining of mission schools among the colored people, this work to include Bible work, colporter work, house-to-house teaching, day schools, night schools, building of schoolhouses, and such other labors as may be essential to Christian education.GCB April 14, 1903, page 201.6

“That, in order that its energies and resources may accomplish the most in the work, the ministers now in its employ be recommended to the care and support of the conferences in which they labor.GCB April 14, 1903, page 201.7

“That, in order to maintain the most perfect cooperation and harmony with the other lines of the work, the plan of the organization and membership of the board, as outlined at the organization of the Southern Union Conference, be adhered to, as follows: That the Board of the Southern Missionary Society include the president of the Southern Union Conference and at least two of the other members of the Executive Committee of that conference.”GCB April 14, 1903, page 201.8

We have gone beyond the requirements, and four members of the Southern Union Conference Committee are upon the board; the other three are especially active workers of the society. No action is taken in regard to the location of a worker, the plan of a school, or extending it, unless the board has acted upon it, and every action is spread upon the records of the society. There is most careful consultation and prayer over every step that is taken. We have been determined that no action should be taken without the most thorough consultation. The funds of the society are handled by the regularly-appointed treasurer of the society, and paid out by him as ordered by the board.GCB April 14, 1903, page 201.9

In May there is to be a meeting of the Southern Union Conference Committee at Nashville, and at that time we are asking for a general consultation with them in regard to the work among the colored people in the South. We desire the greatest union of action possible.GCB April 14, 1903, page 201.10

For two years no advanced work has been done by the society. All that we have been able to do is to continue the work previously established. Sometimes it has seemed absolutely impossible to pay even the mere pittance that we are paying to our workers. Some of our teachers and ordained ministers, with families, are receiving but five dollars a week, where the expenses are higher than is usually met in the North.GCB April 14, 1903, page 201.11

Now what must we have?—We must have something firm and definite to stand upon. Some definite plan must be substituted for the present haphazard means of support. There must be some definite income. We have appealed to the Conference, through its committee, to vote us $600 every quarter. Is that too much? The California Conference has over ten thousand dollars every quarter, with only about one-third the membership of the South. In these Northern states you have facilities and education. Down there we have to bring everything into the field. It is impossible to develop the work in the field, for they have nothing to give.GCB April 14, 1903, page 201.12

Then for advanced work, brethren, we want to have you throw open the doors of your conferences, and give us your hearty support in some little enterprise, like the “Story of Joseph.” At the previously-mentioned meeting of the Southern Union Conference these resolutions were passed:—GCB April 14, 1903, page 201.13

“That the Southern Union Conference Committee unite with the officers of the Southern Missionary Society in the formation of plans for raising means and in presenting them to the people.GCB April 14, 1903, page 201.14

“That we approve the plans of the society for raising means, by interesting individuals in the sale of books and other useful articles, and donating their commission to the society, as done by Brother C. W. Smouse and his co workers.GCB April 14, 1903, page 201.15

“That we recommend the use of the little book, ‘Story of Joseph,’ for this purpose, recommending the enterprise especially to the women and children throughout the land. That we invite Christian workers of all denominations to take part in this effort.’GCB April 14, 1903, page 201.16

Some states have already fallen into line on this. Just before we started for this place, the Pacific Press undertook to handle the “Story of Joseph.” So also have the California, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Michigan Conferences. Many of the others have not yet responded. We hope that all will take hold of this work.GCB April 14, 1903, page 201.17

There was a thought suggested by Brother Butler yesterday; that is that the colored problem is a legacy to the whole of the United States. It is not simply a legacy to the Southern field.GCB April 14, 1903, page 201.18

Sister White: That is true. That is the way it was presented to me.GCB April 14, 1903, page 201.19

J. E. White: It is a legacy to the United States, California, Michigan, Iowa, and all the states are just as much responsible for that work as are the poor people down there.GCB April 14, 1903, page 201.20

I think there is another serious misunderstanding in regard to what has come to us in the Testimonies in regard to the Southern work. In speaking of the work for the colored people, in order that it may not create sectional prejudice, she has called it “the Southern work.” Instruction has come to us that “the work of the South is being sinfully neglected by us as a people.” Our brethren say, “We are working for that field.” The Testimonies say, “We are not doing our duty for that field.” The difficulty lies in the fact that we have not taken in the real meaning of what she says. The Mission Board has sent thousands of dollars to the South, but it does not go to the colored work. This money goes to the white work. If you will take the trouble to notice, you will find that nearly all these articles turn directly to the colored work. If we had studied these things carefully, we need not have made this mistake.GCB April 14, 1903, page 201.21

Now one other suggestion, and I do not think this session should pass without acting on it. We need an institute which will continue for ten weeks, where the colored workers in the South, and those whom we think can be developed into workers, both North and South, can receive the training necessary to fit them for intelligent and efficient work. We do not want our colored workers sent to the North for their education. It is the worst thing you can do for them. The greatest trouble we have had in the South is with those who have gone to the North to receive education, who have then come back with a desire to do down there just as they did in the North. It is not possible to do this, and their work is generally wrecked before they see their mistake. Do not think you are going to reform the customs of the South. You might just as well attempt to change the course of the Mississippi River. If you can not come down there with the simple object in mind, to work for souls, and take the conditions just as they are, in the name of our Master, stay away. We do not want reformers on social equality to come down into our Southern field.GCB April 14, 1903, page 202.1

What we now need is a colored institute. There is no class of workers in the whole field who need special instruction and contact with good educational men so much as the colored workers. This summer we want to have an institute where we can collect from twenty to forty of the colored workers, and give them ten weeks of thorough instruction, so they can all come into order, and in line, and know how their work shall be carried forward. Is it not right? If we do not do it, I fear much for the work down there.GCB April 14, 1903, page 202.2

But it is going to cost money to do that. They can not pay their own expenses. Our best teachers are receiving five dollars a week. We want to get in some place where they can work a part of the time for their board. But there are the transportation charges to be met, and workers must be paid to go there and instruct them. It will cost $1,000 to carry this through. I ask the presidents of Union Conferences if they will not take hold and help us. I wish that you could see the letters that some of our intelligent workers have written, begging for such an institute, where the workers can be brought together, in contact with our leading minds, so that they can get in step with the other workers.GCB April 14, 1903, page 202.3

Brethren, pray for us in our work. God has been our only salvation. We have many times gone to Him when it seemed we could go no farther, and He has never turned us away.GCB April 14, 1903, page 202.4

Sister White then read and commented upon the following article, written by her some time in 1902:—GCB April 14, 1903, page 202.5

STUDY OF EDUCATION

THE SOUTHERN WORK