The Harvest Ingathering by T. H. Evans

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 30, 1915

The Harvest Ingathering

By T. H. Evans

OUR Harvest Ingathering campaign begins October 1. Everywhere our people are looking forward to it with great expectation, and we have every reason to believe that this ingathering will exceed that of any previous year. Already the orders for the Signs of the Times Ingathering number exceed last year's, for the same time, by one hundred thousand copies. The publishers believe that the circulation will reach one million copies. It surely is a beautiful number, both in design and workmanship, and instructive in its contents.

Our goal is not to be in the number of copies we can circulate, but in the amount collected for missions. For some years the goal has stood at $100,000, and it does seem as if that is not too large for 75,000 believers. With every person doing his share, it would mean only $1.33 1-3 a member. But, of course, there are some who will not do their part, and so others have to make up what is lacking because of those who do not or cannot work. However, it seems as if we ought to reach at least the $100,000 goal this year without one dollar of shortage. Whether we shall do this or not will depend upon our faith and zeal and the service we render in this Harvest Ingathering campaign.

There are many reasons why this ingathering for missions should exceed any in preceding years. We are living in a time of unprecedented prosperity, as far as the North American Division Conference is concerned. The blessing of God has been upon our nation in a most marked manner. Throughout the country the crops harvested are greater than we have ever known. According to statistical reports, the year 1915 has set the crop records in the United States above last year's production. Prices continue unusually high; and in both city and rural communities it seems almost impossible to secure enough help to carry on the projected work. Prospects indicate that still greater demands will be made upon the American farmers for food and upon the manufacturers for their productions. Our national prosperity seems to be unequaled in the history of nations.

The growth and prosperity of God's work are equally encouraging. From distant lands—from Africa, in its more than midnight darkness; from Asia, with its teeming millions of poor heathen; from South America and the islands of the sea; and even from war-stricken and blood-drenched Europe, every report received speaks of an encouraging condition in regard to the tithe, offerings, and baptisms. New outstations have been opened in many of our mission fields. The schools seem to be crowded with students; the publishing houses are being taxed to the utmost to print the truths of the third angel's message, and everything indicates prosperity, growth, and progress.

Never before in the history of our work have we had such calls for men and means as at the present time. Many of our mission fields must be greatly reinforced with new workers. More and better accommodations must be provided in some of the great centers in heathen lands; more schools are needed to educate the children of those who are accepting the truth; and printing facilities must be considerably increased.

Some of the conferences are far behind on the Twenty-cent-a-week Fund. It will require great perseverance to raise the twenty cents a week in these conferences, which have allowed themselves to get behind during the first part of the year. Such conferences should rally their forces during this campaign, and endeavor greatly to increase their Harvest Ingathering fund over that of last year. Many of the conferences are already having their churches and individual members set a definite goal toward which to work. Where this is done, the results are most encouraging, and it is not found impossible or difficult to go far beyond the results obtained when no definite goal has been set. We should be glad if this ingathering would help every conference to make up its full twenty cents a week.

I believe that we should bring this work to the Lord in prayer. God has promised that the riches of the Gentiles shall flow into his cause. Therefore, it is our privilege to make our wants known to him, and to ask his blessing and guidance in this campaign. We have every reason to expect God to do great things for his people at this time. By making a united effort, we certainly can pass the $100,000 mark, the goal for the North American Division Conference for 1915. To this end let us all work and pray.

T. H. EVANS. President N. Am. Division Conf.