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Testimonies for the Church Volume 9
In regard to white and colored people worshiping in the same
building, this cannot be followed as a general custom with profit
to either party—especially in the South. The best thing will be to
provide the colored people who accept the truth, with places of
worship of their own, in which they can carry on their services by
themselves. This is particularly necessary in the South in order that
the work for the white people may be carried on without serious
hindrance.
Let the colored believers be provided with neat, tasteful houses
of worship. Let them be shown that this is done not to exclude them
from worshiping with white people, because they are black, but
in order that the progress of the truth may be advanced. Let them
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understand that this plan is to be followed until the Lord shows us a
better way.
The colored members of ability and experience should be en-
couraged to lead the services of their own people; and their voices
are to be heard in the representative assemblies.
Among the colored believers there are many who can labor to
advantage for their own people—workers to whom the Lord has
given light and knowledge and who possess capabilities of no mean
order. These are to labor perseveringly and in every effective way.
They are to use our literature and hold tent meetings and meetings
in halls. And sometimes (where it is permissible) white ministers
should help them. Special efforts should be made to increase the
force of colored workers. Colored men are to be thoroughly educated
and trained to give Bible readings and hold tent meetings among
their own people. There are many having capability, who should be
prepared for this work.
We should be deeply interested in the establishment of schools
for the colored people. And we must not overlook the importance
of placing the present truth before the teachers and students in the
large colleges for colored people that have been established by men
of the world.
Schools and sanitariums for colored people should be estab-
lished, and in these the colored youth should be taught and trained
for service by the very best teachers that can be employed.
The colored ministers should make every effort possible to help
their own people to understand the truth for this time. As time