p. 6 | The Midsummer Offering by I. H. Evans

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 4, 1908

The Midsummer Offering

By I. H. Evans

SABBATH, July 4, has been appointed by the General Conference Committee as the day for our midsummer offering this year. A program will be provided, one important topic of which will be religious liberty. How fitting, on this national holiday, the birthday of our national life and liberty, to take a survey of the present status of the important question of religious liberty.

From the prophetic view-point, the present is fraught with great interest, and momentous events are just before us. At this writing the Senate of the United States has already passed a bill, applicable in the District of Columbia, enforcing the observance of the first day of the week upon those who do not keep some other day. No fewer than ten bills have been introduced into this present Congress, all pertaining to the enforcement or recognition of Sunday as the Christian sabbath. There has been a very strong agitation to get Congress to commit itself in favor of Sunday laws. A federation of churches is being rapidly effected, and the combined religious denominations of the country are making their influence felt on all legislative bodies. What once was asked from Congress by petition of separate religious organizations, is now demanded as a right, by a federation claiming to represent a great majority of the people.

Nor do these professed Christian people forget that a judge of the Supreme Court of the United States has already declared this to be “a Christian nation.” Their demands for Sabbath laws are based upon this declared principle. That “this is a Christian nation” is reiterated continually by those making these demands, and they are now demanding additional statute laws, based upon the assumption that this is “a Christian nation,” and being such, Congress must make laws enforcing what these federated churches believe will help the people to be still more religious.

The image to the beast is certainly forming. Its growth is rapid. The future thrills with intense interest to the student of prophecy. But before the end the message of warning must go to all the world. Men must move on to the front. New recruits must be called. The army of workers must be greatly augmented. Every man put into a mission field calls for additional funds; and as the work develops, the demand for more means increases proportionately. The question is, Shall the work be held back because the treasury is depleted, and there are no funds with which to support the work? Surely if God is leading in the fulfilment of prophecy, he must expect his people to keep step and push forward the message in harmony with his leadership.

The midsummer offering comes at a time when the General Conference treasury is nearly empty. In the past, we have realized much help from this offering. It has often been a great relief to those who are compelled to forward the money to foreign fields. It would seem that on this special occasion, when there is such a tremendous demand for money in foreign fields, it would not be too much if we should raise twenty thousand dollars in this offering.

It will require planning on the part of each one of us to arrange for very much at this season of the year. Nevertheless, I believe that our people will heartily respond to this midsummer offering, and will do what they can. Let us not forget the date, Sabbath, July 4. Why not begin at once to gather funds for a liberal offering on this important occasion?

I. H. EVANS.