A Humble Appeal

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 7, 1911

FROM AN AGED SISTER

Raised up from a sick-bed, through the mercy of my kind Heavenly Father, I desire to express my heartfelt gratitude, with renewed resolutions to do some little work in his vineyard. Still helpless in my room, I can only plead with others to do what is in their power.

It has long been the burden of my prayer that God would convert some millionaire to come to the help of this sin-suffering world, to rescue souls pleading for light and salvation. But alas! the most of these hoarded millions are heaped up for the last days, to be thrown to the moles and to the bats by the hands of despair; and we must look to God's humble servants to do the work in his vineyard.

Dear brethren and sisters, let us arouse to a new sense of the urgent demand for money and workers in this world-wide field. "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature."

Dear brother, have you some hundreds or thousands out at mere nominal interest? O, think how that money, placed in the Lord's treasury, would yield a thousandfold, perhaps save a thousand souls! O, do not delay to place a generous gift on God's altar, whence it will finally appear as treasure laid up in heaven to your account, waiting the day of reward!

Dear sister, are you attracted by the riches and gaities in fashion's throng? Do you envy the shining robes and glittering gems on the altar of pride? O, do not bow before that vain altar, sacrificing precious time and money so much needed in the Lord's vineyard. Remember that modest apparel is pleasing to the Lord, and only the robe of righteousness can give an entrance to the holy city.

Dear children, are you charmed by the endless array of toys that greet your dazzled eyes? Are you tempted by the multitude of sweets and other delicacies appealing to your pampered taste, so often indulged even to the injury of health, and to great waste of money? Think how "only a penny" multiplies so quickly into dimes and dollars. Sad loss! Think how the widow's mites cast into the Lord's treasury was counted more than all the gifts of the rich. How blessed, if by restraining appetite, you can contribute money to save perishing souls! How cheering and commendable are the reports from many Sabbath-schools that have contributed large sums to the mission treasury! May all the children thus lay up treasure in heaven, where the blessed Master waits to receive and bless.

Dear friends, one and all, let us consecrate anew our hearts, our time and labors, with means, to help in the Lord's work, sending help to the dark lands whence come the Macedonian calls. "O, send us a minister!" "Send us a teacher;" "Send us some one to tell us about Jesus," are the earnest entreaties coming to us. May God help us all to do all in our power in his vineyard.