Last Year's Offering by W. T. KNOX

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 3, 1910

Last Year's Offering

By W. T. KNOX

FOR the third time the REVIEW AND HERALD becomes a special messenger to the friends of the gospel in informing them of the work being done, and the progress made, by this people in carrying the gospel of the kingdom to the nations of the world, the accomplishment of which is to immediately precede the coming of our Lord in glory.

We are encouraged to again thus present the progress of the work and some of the interesting experiences of the missionaries in distant lands, because of the hearty reception given, and the interest manifested in previous efforts of this character, and the very substantial financial assistance rendered by our friends on these occasions. As a result of the distribution of the Thanksgiving number of the REVIEW AND HERALD in 1908, the Mission Board received assistance in its work to the extent of $44,983.10. In the fall of 1909 the story of the denomination's work in mission fields was again sent out in the “Harvest Ingathering” number of the same paper. This issue appeared to be received with an interest at least equal to that accorded its predecessor, about seven hundred thousand copies being sent out from this office. It is too early to say what the result of this will be in donations, as remittances are still coming in from every conference in America; but up to the present writing, $40,765 has been received. While we are pleased to avail ourselves of these opportunities to impart to those interested some knowledge of the progress of our work, we also greatly appreciate the financial assistance rendered by our friends in carrying forward this great movement. It is in the wisdom of God that the plan of salvation has been so arranged that every one may have some part therein, not only in the enjoyment of its blessings and provisions, but also in extending it to others. For it was to this that our Lord most particularly referred in the parable of the talents, when he likened himself to a nobleman going into a far country, first calling his servants to him, and imparting to every man some portion of his goods, over which he was expected to act as steward, and for which he would eventually be required to render an account and increase.

It would be very gratifying to us if we could report in this paper the results of the gifts received in the saving of souls; but that is something that eternity alone can reveal. It will, however, doubtless afford satisfaction to many to know that these donations, gathered generally in small amounts but from many sources, have enabled the Mission Board greatly to enlarge its work in a number of mission fields, as shown in the following statement, giving receipts and disbursements of the General Conference funds in the past five years:—

RECEIPTS DISBURSEMENTS Deficit, Jan. 1, 1905 $ 47,965.50 1905 ........ $172,948.17 143,796.86 1906 ........ 212,296.85 163,755.56 1907 ........ 232,956.47 253,445.74 1908 ........ 270,405.96 272,873.08 1909 ........ 371,381.29 351,414.61

For the year 1910, the definite appropriations made, and provision for the expansion of the Mission Board operations in new fields, will call for disbursements in excess of $400,000.

Another item of interest to those of our friends who have assisted us by their gifts, is that by their liberality we were enabled in 1909 to send from America eighty-six missionaries and their families, besides largely increasing our force of native workers in China, India, Japan, Korea, and Africa. These are all now actively at work in their different fields, proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ, and the message of his soon-coming and everlasting kingdom.

It is not now, and perhaps never will be, the privilege and duty of the majority of the readers of this paper to leave their homes to carry the gospel to the heathen; but we may all have a part in this work, and thus enter into the toil and sacrifices of others. God's plan in this is so ordered that in the proper use of the means with which we are entrusted, we may become workers together with our Lord and his servants in the salvation of men.

In view of this, we feel free to extend again to all who may feel so disposed, an invitation to contribute to this work.

W. T. KNOX.