p. 142 | THAT REPORT by H. C. MILLER

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 18, 1868

THAT REPORT.

By H. C. MILLER

How hearts leaped with joy from Maine to Minnesota, as it was read. I refer to the report from the Iowa tent of July 14th, in REVIEW of July 28, and “Note” in REVIEW of June 23. Large meetings, good interest, never such an stir since the community was first settled—people all searching the word, Bibles being studied earnestly, scores converted to the Sabbath truth, a Pentecost, sick raised instantly, &c.

Why is it so in Iowa? Why not so in our Conference? Why not so in Minnesota? Perhaps an item from Conference reports may explain.

Iowa: “I was also very favorably impressed with manner in which the finances of the Conference have been managed. The Secretary and the Conference Committee had the means of determining at once how the funds of the Conference stood.” Report in REVIEW of July 21.

Minnesota: “The brethren in this State are much embarrassed in sustaining those who labor in their Conference. . . . On account of want of means, they can labor only part of the time,” &c. Ibid.

Wis. and Ill.: “Resolved, That our preachers, elders, and deacons, be requested to stir our brethren to pay their s. b. pledges promptly, that order may be established, and confusion be avoided, and that they attend to this at once, to relieve the Conference from present embarrassment.” Conf. Report in REVIEW of June 23.

There it is, plain as daylight. The meat has failed from the house of the Lord. “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts,” &c. O brethren, let us not wait to be stirred up by preachers, elders, and deacons, to a spasmodic zeal, that must needs be continually stirred up, but let us bring offerings of first-fruits. Let’s pay s. b. in advance.

We all remember how our armies were kept from advancing and victory in the last war by supplies being withheld. The same cause is crippling the work in this warfare. “Is not this the chosen fast, that we break every yoke? that we undo the heavy burdens?”

H. C. MILLER.