GOOD PROPOSITION by James White

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 21, 1860

GOOD PROPOSITION.

By James White

Bro. King of Orleans, Mich., writes, Aug. 9, 1860

“From last Samaritan I learn something of the situation of your Office, and the liabilities resting on the Office, &c. I was not acquainted with the affairs and the debts that Bro. White was personally holden for, till I saw the last Samaritan, and I feel that Bro. White did what every honest man should do. If deemed advisable to remove the burden from him, and let the brethren meet those debts, I for one am willing to help shoulder the burden.

“It is but some eight months since I embraced present truth, and most of the time I have been so blind that I could not see to read nor write, being much afflicted with my eyes, yet they are improving, and I feel to praise the Lord that he has restored them to sight, so that I can see to read and write a little.

“I would say to the brethren, How many will join with me this fall to set apart, when we sow our wheat, from one to five acres to pay the debt resting on the Office, and help raise a fund for publication? I say from one to five acres or more, as the brethren feel able. To the brother mechanic, you to set apart one day in each month, or one day in two months, as you feel able, and the laboring man one day in three months. Let us move in this plan, and the Office will soon be free, and those having the charge will breathe an atmosphere pure, not burdened with trouble as at present. Adopt this plan, and will not God bless the undertaking? I feel that he will.

“After we have done this, then follow Paul’s advice, lay by in store as the Lord hath prospered, every one, for benevolent purposes.

“I would be glad to see an article from you or Bro. White on this subject. I do not send this for publication, still I am willing that you should use any part of it for publication, if you deem it advisable, by putting it in some form, so that it will have the effect to enlist some in this enterprise, my name is at your service.

“If I can do any good in my Master’s cause, God shall have all the praise. Since I have set out to obey God’s law, I have been trying to do something for his cause, but I feel that I accomplish but little. After giving for the tent, and to messengers, and some other donations, I say to myself, I would like to do more, but my affairs will not let me. I came to the conclusion to adopt the above plan, and leave the result with God, feeling assured that he will bless the deed.

“Yours in Christ, hoping for eternal life at the appearing of our Lord. S. H. King.”

REMARKS.—The object introduced by Bro. King, and the plan suggested by him to accomplish this object, we think will be approved by the friends of the cause.

The Office owes of borrowed money about fourteen hundred dollars, and instead of being able to pay this sum, must have still more in order to keep on hand a good supply of all our publications.

An Office building must soon be built, worth, lot included, at least two thousand and five hundred dollars. We will state the sum which should be raised within one year at $6,000. A small sum indeed to be raised by ten thousand Sabbath-keepers.

But to raise this amount is not so difficult as to know who shall hold it after it shall be raised. We would agree to collect the sum in one year, but who shall hold it? It is of no use to say that our publishing committee can hold it, unless they collect it. Then they can hold it. We had been misinformed in regard to the collection of gifts, and made an incorrect statement on that point. Those who have donated to the REVIEW Office cannot collect it, as we have since been informed by them who should know. Our publishing committee cannot now legally hold the Office property until we make it over to them, as we are the only legal owner of it. In that case it would be their property.

We have been stating the necessities of some simple form of organization, that we might be able to make the Office property over into the hands of proper officers, who could manage it. We might go on and buy a lot, build an Office, raise the money and pay for them, but it would be our property till a legal organization should appoint officers to receive it from us.

We recommend the plan suggested by Bro. King, and hope all will heartily adopt it. An Office must be built, and the money raised to carry on the work. And the church will probably soon decide whether they will hold the property themselves, or have some one hold it for them. We wait to see. J. W.