Basic HTML Version
Proclaiming the Truth
179
advances, and race prejudices increase, it will become almost im-
possible, in many places, for white workers to labor for the colored
[208]
people. Sometimes the white people who are not in sympathy with
our work will unite with colored people to oppose it, claiming that
our teaching is an effort to break up churches and bring in trouble
over the Sabbath question. White ministers and colored ministers
will make false statements, arousing in the minds of the people such
a feeling of antagonism that they will be ready to destroy and to kill.
The powers of hell are working with all their ingenuity to prevent
the proclamation of the last message of mercy among the colored
people. Satan is working to make it most difficult for the gospel
minister and teacher to ignore the prejudice that exists between the
white and the colored people.
Let us follow the course of wisdom. Let us do nothing that
will unnecessarily arouse opposition—nothing that will hinder the
proclamation of the gospel message. Where demanded by custom or
where greater efficiency is to be gained, let the white believers and
the colored believers assemble in separate places of worship. Let
us cultivate the meekness of Christ. He was the Majesty of heaven,
the only-begotten Son of God. Yet “God so loved the world, that
He gave His only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him
should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
John 3:16
.
If, to save a perishing world, God condescended to give up
His Son to a painful, ignominious death, should not the Lord’s
missionaries be willing to make every effort in their power to win
and help those who are in the depths of sin, and to flash the light
upon those who are in darkness as to what is truth? Christ clothed
His divinity with humanity, that He might reach down and uplift
[209]
fallen human beings. Shall not His followers, for His sake, be willing
to submit to many things unjust and grievous to be borne, in order
to help the very ones who need help? Let the work be done in a way
that will not arouse prejudice which would close doors now open
for the entrance of the truth.
The men of talent among the colored believers are to be laborers
together with God for their own people. And yet there will some-
times be opportunities for them to bear a testimony in tent meetings
and in large assemblies, which will reach many, many souls. These
opportunities will appear as the Southern field is worked and the