Love for the Cause? or Sentiment? by T. E. BOWEN

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · May 16, 1907

Love for the Cause? or Sentiment?

By T. E. BOWEN

WHEN the council was in progress last fall at the Washington Training College, and the question of raising $150,000 was being carefully considered by the large number of leading brethren present, some urged quite strongly that the names of the donors be published in the REVIEW each week, as was done when the $100,000 was being raised. It was urged that there was a stimulus attending such a list that could not be obtained in any other way.

But a different plan was being formed, and it was found it would simply be an impossibility to publish the names, and distribute the responsibility of raising the funds to union and local conferences. No one objected particularly to the publishing of the names; but the list of names must accompany the funds, and if the funds were to be sent the union treasuries, and only the totals published in the REVIEW, the names could not be printed. If union conferences desired to publish the names in their papers, that would be proper, possible, and all right. But so far we have seen no name lists printed.

It will be remembered that when the $100,000 fund was in raising, many instances occurred where some brother's name headed the weekly list with $1,000. Others appeared opposite $500, many stood for $100, and still many more for $25.

Week before last the total of our $150,000 fund stood at $47,029.75. Last week it was $47,073.35, or an increase of only $43.60. No doubt this is the lull before a storm, when something will be done suddenly, but somehow we could not refrain from thinking some thoughts suggested by the heading to this article.

We believe the noble gifts made by our brethren with whom God has so graciously endowed the talent of means were prompted by a love for his cause, when our former fund was coming in; and possibly many of them have already given liberally in the raising of the present fund. But, really, if the list of names were published now, how would it compare with the old list? And would each who gave then be pleased to have his name placed opposite his present gift?

Let us give this point more than a passing thought, and not forget we are now nearer the end than then, and as we near the great antitypical year of jubilee, our property grows less and less valuable, as God, and those who truly love his closing message, view it.

T. E. BOWEN.