Our Record for Three Quarters by W. T. KNOX

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 20, 1910

Our Record for Three Quarters

By W. T. KNOX

IN this number of the REVIEW appears the report of the ten-cent-a-week fund for the support of missions. This report covers the first three quarters of the year 1910, and shows that from all sources belonging to this fund, the General Conference treasury has received $199,773.64, an average of $66,591.21 for each quarter. Upon this basis we can count on the entire receipts from this source for the year being $266,364. With an accredited membership in America of 63,148 for 1909, we should receive $328,000, which would result in a shortage of about $62,000 for the year.

A consideration of the report will show that some conferences give promise of raising their full amount, and a few of exceeding it, while there are a large number that are falling short. Many of the latter are among our strongest conferences, and apparently of those best able to give substantial assistance to our mission work.

Throughout the year, effort has been made to keep all informed of the progress of the work, the needs of the field, and the conditions of the funds. The increasing scope of the work has necessitated greatly increased appropriations to almost all mission fields, resulting in expenditures for the year in excess of $400,000. In return, however, we have been greatly encouraged by the good reports of progress from our brethren in distant lands.

But on the other hand, great perplexity has come to us on account of the insufficiency of money available for these mission fields. We have not been able to properly support the work. The treasuries of many of the mission fields are either empty or dangerously low. The condition of the General Conference treasury, which of necessity must to a certain extent reflect the condition of the field, will be partially understood when it is appreciated that during the three quarters in which we have received $199,000, our estimated outlay has been in the neighborhood of $300,000. The only offset in this apparent deficit of $100,000, is the assistance that we have derived from such donations as those made to religious liberty work, and the gifts of surplus tithe from some of our conferences, amounting in the aggregate to $46,000, which still leaves us, however, with an actual shortage of about $54,000 for the first three quarters of the year.

The treasurer would be pleased to give a different report than this, were it possible; but it is far better that all fully understand the real situation than to be left in ignorance thereof. There is still time during this year, if all will take hold with earnestness, to change the present situation.

With many of our people the last quarter of the year is the one in which they handle the most money, realizing as they do from their crops, etc. There is also before us the Harvest Ingathering campaign, at which time we shall all have an opportunity of appealing to our friends and neighbors for assistance in the great work that has been intrusted to our hands.

That the situation, however, is such that we can not hope for a change for the better without special effort on the part of all, will be evident to those who will consider the figures given in this report. But with this recognition on the part of the rank and file of our people; with the leadership of the denomination organizing the churches for work in the coming campaign; with proper appeals placed before our membership during the week of prayer and at the time of taking the annual offering, there is no reason why the present financial condition should not be remedied.

The Lord is opening many doors before his people, which we know he desires to see entered. He has placed in the hands of his children ample means to provide for every such opportunity. Now, shall we be faithful? Shall we come up to the help of the Lord at this particular time, and strengthen the hands of his workers so that these opportunities may be fully utilized, and the cause of the Lord rapidly advanced to the uttermost parts of the earth?

W. T. KNOX, Treasurer.