The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1907-1917, 1911-05-04
BY DADDY jim
HOME MISSIONARY WORK IN TENNESSEE,
NORTH CAROLINA AND GEORGIA.

For the last six years I have been wholly en-
gagged in the mountains of East Tennessee, North
Carolina and Georgia, these States join each
other in the mountains. Having been raised in
the mountains, [ have good knowledge of the
conditions and the needs of the mountain people.
About SIX years ago began in the work a
missionary and, to my great surprise, found chill
dren seven years old who had never worn shoe.
l had never thought of such restitution. This
affected me so greatly that I began to cry and
pray to God about the great needs of these poor
people And in reply to same I soon received
five dollars, with which bought shoes for these
little children just mentioned. Their little hearts
were glad, indeed, when they received their new
shoes. The whole family was glad for 1 saw the
father and mother shedding tears of joy.
This family just mentioned had no Bible and
very scanty clothing, but the Lord had furnished
me some Bibles and clothing which I furnished
them, though [ had to carry some things to them
to wear before they could come out to get What
they actually needed; after which the whole
family attended meeting and Sunday School, and
the result was some of them got saved and the
family greatly blessed, so you see what a
little help will do for people who cannot help
themselves Two years later we were definitely
led to a new field, where found many poor
homes, some of whom were very hungry for the
gospel but were so poor they could not furnish
you with meals victuals a comfortable bed
to sleep Some had scaffods for bedsteads,
for slept of them. They had no Bibles,
and but very little clothing. number of them
were destitute that they could not come to the
cottage meetings for the lack of clothing. The
children were barefOOted, many of the boys had
coats; they their mothers old waists
for coats The little girls had coaks, and but
very thin dresses, and but very few of these fam
lilies had any Bibles. To our great surprise when
we began to visit the people found every family
in the same condition, with very few exceptions.
AS we began to tell them Of Jesus many believed
and received Him with gladness. Now we have a
church established in this locality with about fifty
members, and good Sunday School. How they
do shout and praise God for sending them the
good tidings. We have received some missionary
clothes, with which we have supplied them scant-
lily. Now number of them able to go to
church. But 0, as we go further into the noun
tains find others in the same condition. Poor
house and poor food, and very scanty clothing,
and comparatively no bedding. These last
toned not able to help unless assisted by
those who are interested in this missionary work.
Numbers of them from twelve to eighteen years
of age have not a respectable suit of clothes. I
was greatly affected the other day when I left my
field Of labor, I passed log cabin, chinked
and daubed with mud and a stick chimney.
Some little boys, barefooted and half clothed,
asked me for some clothing to which I replied,
They are all gone, but the Lord willing, I will
bring you some the next time [ come" Another
one said, "Cant you bring some shOes?" To
which I said, Il wish I had them for you They
have no place to sleep, either only on the floor,
and one scaffOd bed
These are mostly the conditions and needs of
these people in general o, how I have prayed
and cried to God almost day and night for these
dear needy ones. They need clothes, shoes and
bedding. On account of the great needs of
these precious people, one cannot stay with them
much in the winter time After preaching till
ten O'Clock have gone to bed and shivered with
cold, and could not sleep all night for the lack
of bedding. So praying that God will make
able to help these dear ones. Tons of cloth
ing could be used in supplying the needs of this
precious people.
Now have given you brief sketch of the
condition and needs OF these mountain people
Hundreds are in the same condition, and we are
earnestly praying that God will lay this work
on the hearts of many people, and that He will
make me able to supply them with some of their
many needs. All who wish to assist in this work
will please address w. F. Bryant, 25O8 Gaut St.
Cleveland Tenn