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The Church

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 29, 1908

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 85, No. 44.

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The Church

By R. W. PARMELE

Instruction Pertaining to the Duties and Responsibilities of Officers and Members

The Church Treasurer

A TEAM was once struggling with a heavy load when the foot of a sharp hill was reached. The horses lost courage, and despite the severe punishment of the teamster, they made but a feeble effort to ascend the hill. An aged woman, seeing the situation, ran to the horses' heads with her lap full of oats. Giving each horse a bite, she started slowly up the hill, the team following with the load. It was a very small effort, but it accomplished great results.
The workers at the front in every branch of the cause of present truth are struggling with the financial load that confronts them. Time is short, and there is a great work to be done. There must be a continual stream of means with which to accomplish this work. It is impossible for those at the head of the work to raise this money alone, but every one can do something, be it ever so little.
Our church treasurers can greatly lighten the load by performing faithfully the duties of their office. But few realize the value of the service that they can render. Upon this point, we offer the following suggestions:—
1. Take an active interest in every call that is made for funds. Offer an occasional reminder to the church concerning the needs of the Lord's cause, and our duty to return to him his own in tithes and offerings.
2. Always give a receipt for funds entrusted to you, be the amount ever so small. The word “Thanks” written on the receipt is often appreciated. This will be an encouragement, especially to the children.
3. Keep your accounts accurately, and once a quarter, or oftener, render a financial report to the church. Each year see that your accounts are gone over by a competent auditor, and that his statement of the condition of the accounts is presented to the church.
4. Remember the instruction given in 1 Cor. 4:2: “Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.”
R. W. PARMELE.