Your ShelfYour Projects

In Answer to Inquiries

8%

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Mar 2, 1905

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 82, No. 9.

Read the full edition

In Answer to Inquiries

By James C. Rice

We who are in the South note with rejoicing the interest recently awakened among our people in the North with regard to moving South to engage in the different lines of missionary effort. Many letters have been received of late from brethren in the North, in which the principal burden is, “Can I make a living in the South? Is it possible to have good neighbors? What are the openings for practical missionary work?” also inquiring concerning the canvassing work, and last, but not least, in regard to the education of their children in our church-schools.
Why should there be a question in the mind of any individual who loves this blessed truth about the living part? The promise is that the righteous shall not be forsaken, neither shall his seed beg bread. The Lord, through his servant, has said that a special blessing is in store for those who move South, and live out the truth while studying the needs of the field.
Many of the sons and daughters of the South are well educated and have very courteous manners, which put to shame the cold and abrupt manners of the Northern people. We find many of this class, even in the country districts. The middle classes are usually well behaved and law abiding. The poorer classes are, as a rule, clever, and will divide to the very last with one in need. For the most part, these, we find, make good neighbors.
The Sequatchie Valley, in southeastern Tennessee, with its fertile soil, its thousands of people who have never heard of this truth, and its healthful location, and the many like localities in northern Georgia, western North Carolina, and eastern Kentucky, are waiting—waiting with outstretched arms the arrival of those of our own dear people in the North who long to enter just such a field to do practical missionary work.
The canvasser here in the South is daily surprised at the eagerness of the people to listen to the truths of the Word. The only regret of the writer is that he did not come to this needy field years ago, and devote his whole time and energy to this “most blessed” branch of the Lord's closing work in the earth. You ask the question, “Don't you long sometimes to be back North?”—No; I do not, unless it would be to plead with my brethren there to come to this needy field, and labor for souls.
The canvasser has a double advantage over any other class of workers in the South. People here look upon the work of the canvasser as merely a business proposition. He can enter the homes of white and colored alike just so long as he does not eat or sleep in the homes of the colored people.
He can labor for their souls, and give them instruction in various lines. If he does this work with tact, he will not be debarred from working among even the best class of the white people. As a rulethe Southern people are very hospitable to our canvassers, even going to much trouble and inconvenience to supply their wants and make them comfortable. And the canvassing work in the South is a financial success.
Will there not many of our young people as well as older ones come South in the near future to engage in the canvassing work? All may be assured that there will be an ample blessing in store for them as they enter this work. Those who desire to engage in this work should address their communications to A. F. Harrison, Graysville, Tenn. Those who desire to come where there is a permanent church-school should address, with stamp, L. Jacobs, Graysville, Tenn.
There is a permanent church-school at Alpharetta, Ga. It can be recommended. There is also a permanent church-school here at Brayton, Tenn., situated on a high ridge, where it is exceptionally healthful. Union and harmony exist in the little church, and the blessing of the Lord abides with them. There is also a good church-school at Ogden, Tenn., conducted by Dr. Caldwell; good reports of work done are received from this school.
We who are in the Southern field are praying daily that the Lord of the harvest will send forth more laborers into this part of the great harvest-field.
JAMES C. RICE,