p. 17 | West Texas by C. J. Buhalts

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 2, 1915

West Texas

By C. J. Buhalts

At the beginning of the year we had a church membership of two hundred and thirty-eight. It is more than three hundred now. We have three ordained ministers, but one has not been able to do much for the last year on account of impaired health. Two new churches have been organized, one new church building has been erected, and another is in process of erection.

Our people are of good courage, although there have been many things to try them. A bountiful cotton crop was raised last year, but little was received for it, so many of our people are in difficult circumstances financially, and a number have lost their farms. This has made our tithe and offerings fall short.

We have much to encourage us in regard to our canvassing work. Part of the time this year we nearly doubled the usual number of canvassers in the field. Half these workers delivered about ninety per cent of their books, and the others fifty per cent. There is a good showing for our book work. I have just received a letter from one of our brethren which shows that his heart is in the work. I will quote a part of it:—

“I have written Brother McMullen for twenty-five Harvest Ingathering Signs, and shall do what I can. If I do not receive any contributions, I shall send twenty-five cents for each paper myself. I also hope to pay my part of the Twenty-cent-a-week Fund. I shall send my tithe to Brother McMullen as I sell my cotton. I do desire to have some part in the greatest message on earth.”

If all would do this well, we should not be behind on tithes and offerings. C. J. BUHALTS.