The Missionary Campaign by I. H. Evans

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 6, 1908

The Missionary Campaign

By I. H. Evans

It is most interesting to glance through the letters received at the office of the General Conference, and to see how the brethren in the field view the coming missionary campaign. The date of this missionary week is Nov. 22-28, 1908. Let us not forget the date; for we must all plan our business so that we can devote our time to the foreign mission work during that week.

The plan is somewhat as follows: 1. To bring out a missionary number of the REVIEW AND HERALD which will contain an outline of the missionary operations of our people in all the world, especially in heathen lands. This number will be amply illustrated with a variety of cuts, and the fields will be written up briefly, and yet in an interesting manner, so that the reader will have something of an idea of the extent of our work in all parts of the world.

2. This number of the REVIEW is to be furnished free to all our churches in quantities such as they order beforehand, and these REVIEWS are to be given away to those who will promise to read them. Every one who takes a copy of the REVIEW is to be asked for a donation to foreign missions. This money is to be forwarded through the regular channels to the Mission Board, and will be used in the advancement of the work of the third angel’s message.

3. It is desired that every Seventh-day Adventist in the English-speaking countries of the world shall devote at least one week to this missionary campaign, distributing papers during this week, praying with the people, interesting them in the work of the third angel’s message, and soliciting donations for the advancement of the missionary work among the heathen peoples of the world. It is hoped that every Seventh-day Adventist can secure as much as ten dollars, on an average, for this work. We believe that if we could throw ourselves with earnest enthusiasm into this great enterprise, there could be a large ingathering of funds for the advancement of the message at this time.

4. There may be those who can not give a week in this way, owing to their being tied up in business, or working for those who will not allow them their liberty, and it is suggested that in all cases of this kind, the person might give his week’s earnings for the advancement of the missionary cause, so that it can be said that every Seventh-day Adventist in the denomination is devoting one week’s effort to the advancement of the foreign mission work.

5. The churches should consider at an early date how many REVIEWS they can circulate, and should order as many as they can distribute, the General Conference paying for the same out of the donation that is to be received.

We believe that merchants, business men, bankers, and people of wealth should be visited during this time, receive a copy of the REVIEW, and be given an opportunity to contribute to our mission work. I do not believe we should ask for less than one dollar, but of course we would receive anything that the people would give.

This endeavor is looked upon with favor by nearly all our leading brethren. Brother A. O. Burrill, president of the Kentucky Conference, writes:—

I think that the general plan for a missionary number of the REVIEW is born of the Spirit. I have wondered for some time why something of this kind was not brought forward for the people. Could not this or such a number be sold also for a help to the missionary work?

Brother Wm. Covert, president of the Northern Illinois Conference, writes as follows concerning this plan:—

This question must be agitated continually in order to accomplish all that the Lord requires us to do. I know that every person bearing responsibility in this work should take a deep interest in its progress. I also know that the financial propositions require more attention than almost anything else. I am always interested in this feature of the work, and will do what I can to make it a success in this little conference. I shall be glad to co-operate with you in the ingathering.

Brother H. W. Herrell, president of the Virginia Conference, writes:—

Your letter concerning the missionary number of the REVIEW AND HERALD, and the missionary campaign this fall, was duly received, and I wish to place myself on record as heartily in favor of the same, and that we will do all we can. We believe our people generally will do what they can in this special effort. We shall endeavor to keep the campaign before our people in this State.

Brother C. F. McVagh, vice-president of the Southern Union Conference, speaks of this plan in these encouraging words:—

I have felt for some time that we could raise much money from the world for our work in heathen lands, and also for the work among the colored people in the South, if we go about it in the right way. I shall work hard for the success of the proposed plan and shall watch the result with much interest.

Brother E. K. Slade, president of the East Michigan Conference, says:—

I am heartily in favor of a strong, definite effort to create a much larger awakening among our people in the interests of foreign mission work. I believe also that to have a special number of the REVIEW of this character will result in much good for the REVIEW, for our people in the churches, and for the needy cause. The more I think of the plan, and consider the large influence such an effort will have if entered into unitedly by our people, the more I favor it. I shall take pleasure in inviting our committee to enter into this thing with unison, provided the effort is carried out.

Brother W. J. Stone, president of the Indiana Conference, speaks thus:—

I will only briefly reply at this time, but will say that I am favorably impressed with your plans, and will give the matter careful thought. You can count on our co-operation in this matter.

Brother S. E. Wight, president of the Southern Illinois Conference, says:—

I believe it is a capital idea. I am sure that we must do strong work for our churches, and the missionary work will help us in this. We must increase the faith in our denomination, and while some will be hardened by some of these things, the true sheep of the fold will stay by the cause. I will do all in my power to help you in this plan, and to secure money for the furtherance of the cause in foreign fields.

Brother D. U. Hale, president of the Missouri Conference, in writing on this subject, says:—

I have been wondering how the prophecy of Isa. 60:5 would be fulfilled. It says, “The forces of the Gentiles shall come unto thee.” The margin of the word “forces” is “wealth.” For a long time I have felt that this would be literally true. Now it seems to me that this idea of the missionary number of the REVIEW is to be a beginning in this direction. Truly I believe the Lord is preparing to do great things in the earth in finishing this work.

Brother G. W. Reaser, president of the Southern California Conference, says:—

I certainly think that our people will take hold of this heartily, as it will be a new departure for the REVIEW AND HERALD, our official denominational paper, to issue such a number, and call upon our people to give it general circulation. I am sure that our people in Southern California will be glad to take hold of this matter energetically, and that we can rely upon them quite largely to give the net earnings of a week’s labor for this particular work.

Brother V. B. Watts, president of the Arkansas Conference, in writing of this missionary week, says:—

I will do all I can to help in the missionary campaign this fall. I assure you that my heart is in this work, and I want to see it finished up.

Brother G. W. Wells, president of the Georgia Conference, passes in this cheering word:—

I have no other thought than that of throwing my influence and might into this effort, and shall talk the matter up to our people here. I see no reason why we can not gather in a large sum of money at this time. To my mind the only thing that stands in the way is the full co-operation of our people, and this I believe we shall have; so far I have heard no dissenting voice.

Many other testimonies might be added, nearly all speaking with unanimous voice of pushing the work, and endeavoring to make it a success, but space forbids. Let us all pray for the success of this effort.

I. H. EVANS.