The Origin and Purpose of the Self-Denial Boxes
By C. P. Bollman
THE self-denial box plan was suggested in January, 1904, by Sister White. At that time, in an appeal addressed to “My brethren and sisters everywhere,” she said:— “Will you not put in a prominent place in your home a box with the inscription, ‘For the work among the colored people of the South?’ Will you not ask your children to put into this box the money they would otherwise spend for candy and other needless things?” At the General Conference Council in College View, September, 1904, Sister White told how the suggestion came to her. She said:— “One night as I was praying for this needy field, a scene was presented to me which I will describe. I saw a company of men working, and asked what they were doing. One of them replied, ‘We are making little boxes to be placed in the homes of every family that is willing to practise self-denial, and to send of their means to help the work among the colored people of the South.’ “I have written concerning these boxes, and the self-denial they will encourage, and I now ask if you will not respect the light that God has given his people?” “Let the work of these self-denial boxes be carried on more than it has yet been. And do not become weary of their use.” Again at the General Conference in Washington, Sister White said, as reported in the REVIEW AND HERALD of June 22:— “A good work has been done with these self-denial boxes, and let no one lift a finger to hinder this work. Let no one speak a discouraging word regarding it; for it is God’s plan, and thus he has said that help should be sent to the work for the colored people.” Now what we want is to secure the active co-operation of every Sabbath-keeper in the United States in the work of putting one of these little boxes into every family of believers in present truth. Nor need our efforts be confined to our own people. We have been told that others will become interested in this plan, and that they will assist by giving of their means. Our young people especially can do much to help in supporting our colored mission schools. Why can not the Young People’s Societies take up this matter, and not only place these boxes, but follow up the work and see that the boxes are used, and the money properly forwarded at least once a quarter? The Southern Missionary Society has sent out quite a number of boxes, but unless the work is carefully followed up, it will amount to but little. This work for the colored people can not be done by the believers in the South alone. We have been told that it belongs alike to our brethren and sisters all over the United States. The burden has been laid upon the North as well as the South. Brethren, do not become weary in well-doing. Eight millions of colored people must have the third angel’s message in this generation. Those who are on the ground are doing what they can to give it to them, but the work is beset with difficulties. Teachers must be trained, schoolhouses must be built and furnished, workers must be supported. This can be done very economically. The cost of establishing and maintaining a mission school is comparatively small; but for every one we now have, there should be a hundred such schools. Brethren and sisters, shall we not have your earnest, prayerful, and self-denying co-operation? If you already have these boxes, use them as the Lord has said they should be used. If a box comes to you through the mail, or is given to you by a member of the Young People’s Society, welcome it. If you have been passed by or have not yet been reached by this work, drop us a card, and we will see that you are supplied. We want you to help the work. C. P. BOLLMAN,
Sec. Southern Missionary Society.
Edgefield, Tenn.