An Important Matter by A. G. DANIELLS

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 25, 1908

An Important Matter

By A. G. DANIELLS

It has already been announced that on Sabbath, the fourth of July, an offering for missions will be taken in all our churches. As that offering is for a most worthy and a very needy cause it ought to be a liberal one. We appeal most earnestly to every member of our ranks to give this matter thoughtful, prayerful consideration.

This fourth-of-July offering should be the largest midsummer offering we have ever made. There are more of us to contribute than ever before; we have more missionaries in foreign lands than ever before; our annual expenditure for missions is larger, by far, than ever before; and the Lord has blessed us with means as liberally as ever in our lives.

Again we appeal most earnestly to every one who loves this cause to stop and think seriously about this matter. Are you anxious that the coming fourth-of-July offering shall be a large one in order that our missions shall receive the help they need? Are you studying and planning how you can personally make a liberal contribution? Are you using all the influence you can to encourage others to offer liberally? If not, why not? Is not this message of Revelation fourteen from God? Is it not due the world just now? Is not the end of all things in this world near at hand? If so, should not every one identified with this cause be interested in providing the means required to let all the world know what God has so graciously made known to us?

The fourth day of July this year will come on the seventh day of the week. Thus the birthday of this nation and the birthday of this world will fall on the same day. It is to be regretted beyond all expression that the great masses of the people in the United States will be entirely forgetful of the memorial day God has set apart to commemorate the creation of the world in which we live, while they give themselves up so enthusiastically to the observance of the memorial day of the nation. Nor is that all; on that day thousands of dollars will be worse than wasted. Their expenditure will not be for a proper and suitable commemoration of the great event the day has been set apart to honor. Were the fourth of July to fall on Monday or Thursday, Seventh-day Adventists could not conscientiously spend their money for that to which such vast sums will be given.

The fact is, we must resolutely turn our faces away from the world's way. This we are endeavoring to do in this plan for a fourth-of-July offering to missions. On that day we shall absent ourselves from the masses. Instead of taking part in the revelry of the day, we shall be worshiping God,—adoring him for the blessings of this land. Instead of devoting the means he has so graciously given us to liquor, tobacco, races, theaters, etc., we shall consecrate it to missionary service for the salvation of poor, lost souls. We shall not even feel free to spend much for that which might be considered harmless, for we believe that there is a higher and better use to which we should devote our means.

Surely every one who understands our message must commend this plan that we have adopted. It is the only consistent course for us to take. And now we once more earnestly appeal to our people to throw themselves with all their hearts into this arrangement. We should carry out our plan of celebration with just as much earnestness, enthusiasm, and good cheer as the nation will carry out its plans. O that all our people might see the meaning of these things! O that each individual would do his part conscientiously and heartily as unto the Lord! May the Spirit of God help us all at this time. A. G. DANIELLS.