During the late 1800s, MESSAGE magazine,1 originally called The Gospel Herald, was a premier religious communication paper for Blacks in the South and the Mississippi Delta. It was designed to uplift the Black race, recently freed from slavery. Its content aimed to educate its readers in biblical topics, Christian living, the gospel, and practical living. One hundred years later, MESSAGE still aims to educate and uplift the Black race.

Humble Beginnings

Founded in 1898 by James Edson White—son of Ellen G. White, cofounder of the Seventh-day Adventist Church—the first nine issues of The Gospel Herald were printed on board the Morning Star, a steamer that shuttled up and down the Yazoo River in Mississippi. In the 1800s, educating Blacks was a dangerous and virtually forbidden enterprise, so Edson White housed the printing venture on board the Morning Star for protection and mobility. If the climate became too dangerous in one place, the Morning Star would move to a different location. The plan was innovative and effective; however, Edson and his team were ridiculed, chased, shot at, and resisted by disgruntled White southerners.

Notwithstanding, as the communication link of the Southern Missionary Society, an independent volunteer organization also founded by Edson White, The Gospel Herald sold hundreds of thousands of copies and became a popular religious and educational magazine in the South. The catch line in the first issue of The Gospel Herald best sums up its appeal: "The magazine with a message is the magazine we want to hear."

The purpose of the magazine was to teach and galvanize Black people to reach for a better way of life—educationally, economically, and spiritually. The mission to educate Black people came in part from John H. Kellogg, famed superintendent of the Battle Creek (Michigan) Sanitarium, who suggested that Edson White publish a paper carrying an account of the work among Blacks. Initially, the paper was not to make direct appeals for finances, but simply to represent the "character and needs of the work."

In the first issue of The Gospel Herald, in May 1898, Edson White, in his first editorial, explained that the object of the magazine was to "awaken an interest in the South." He identified his two editorial objectives as (1) the securing of missionary effort and support for "both educational and evangelistic work," and (2) the encouragement of Seventh-day Adventist families to move to the South to take advantage of the "unparalleled opportunities" to start ventures in the business and farming lines.

Change My Name

In 1910, The Gospel Herald became the official magazine of the new Negro department of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, and the printing was taken over by the press at Oakwood College2 in Huntsville, Alabama. From then on it became primarily a news journal for the Black Adventist churches in North America. The magazine ceased publication for 11 years when Oakwood College began producing the Oakwood Bulletin, in 1923. Publication resumed in 1934 under the new name, MESSAGE. This name change was suggested 28 years earlier in a Gospel Herald editorial, which said the magazine should be called The Message.

Until 1945, the work of The Gospel Herald/MESSAGE was carried out under the leadership of White editors interested in reforming race relations and building unity. In 1945, Louis B. Reynolds, the fourth editor, became the first Black editor of MESSAGE.

The 25-year history of The Gospel Herald under that title provided insightful information about the actions, personalities, and policies of Seventh-day Adventist leaders toward the Black work in the South. It recorded the origin of churches, educational advances, racial issues, and the general pulse of the work for Black people. Virtually every major development in the Black Seventh-day Adventist Church is either reported on, referred to, or intimated about in the pages of The Gospel Herald.

Let's Celebrate

Throughout its colorful history with 12 editors, MESSAGE has responded faithfully to the social, domestic, and spiritual needs of Black people in the United States and around the globe. With its tasteful and balanced articles, editorials, reports, and special features, MESSAGE is distinguished as one of the oldest religious journals in America.

MESSAGE continues, among its numerous distinctions, its role as a Christian magazine of contemporary issues and its status as the only Black religious and international journal, focusing on role models, positive Christian lifestyle, and social-moral issues. Historically, MESSAGE has targeted and always will target Black people—a minority readership—and those interested in diversity.

Finally, MESSAGE is still committed to its original mission—education! That includes an emphasis on Christianity, biblical teachings, and other practical teachings on success and positive living.

Today, as 100 years ago, these characteristics make MESSAGE one of the most distinctive and appreciated religious magazines in America.

1. MESSAGE, a Seventh-day Adventist magazine, is the oldest and most widely circulated religious journal addressing ethnic issues in the United States. To learn more and/or to order a subscription, go to: www.messagemagazine.com; or call (800) 765-6955.

2. Oakwood College is the Seventh-day Adventist Church's Black institution of higher learning.

Delbert W. Baker is a former editor of MESSAGE, and is currently serving as president of Oakwood College, located in Huntsville, Alabama.

Ten Actions to Make the Adventist Church a More Inclusive and Just Community of Faith

1. Actively explore your issues regarding prejudice and racism. Participate with your friends, family, or church members in a dialogue on race-related issues.

2. Commit to learn about others. Continuously learn about people of other races, ethnicities, cultures, through Scripture, new relationships, periodicals, and cultural events.

3. Examine your myths and stereotypes of others. Make a list of your racial stereotypes. Where and when did they originate and why? Question if they are true by challenging yourself to disprove them through study and discussion.

4. Be more conscious of racial prejudice and privilege. Reflect on how racial prejudice and privilege affect you. How would your life be different if your skin was another color?

5. Become an ally of people other than those of your own race, ethnicity, culture, or religion. Personally confront racist comments and discrimination even if you are a member of the targeted group.

Prepared by the Office of Human Relations for the Adventist Church in North America with the assistance of The National Conference for Community and Justice. More information and resourse materials are available at the Web site from which this information was taken: