Shall It Be a Step Backward? by E. K. SLADE

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 21, 1909

Shall It Be a Step Backward?

By E. K. SLADE

E. K. SLADE

ONE year ago approximately thirty thousand dollars was raised through the Thanksgiving Ingathering effort, making it possible to send to the front twenty-five additional missionaries. Considering the advancement attending the message, and the extra demands made upon us at this time, it would be a decided step backward should we fail to gather in an equal amount during the present campaign. The present situation calls for double that amount. Every one who has carefully studied the growth of our work will freely admit that each succeeding year calls for an enlargement of the work and an increase of funds. It is not enough to provide for those who have gone to the front, but recruits are called for and must be sent forth from year to year.

Should the ingathering effort this year result in bringing in only as much as was secured last year, it would seem like a step backward, because that would but little more than provide for those sent out last year. It would seem as if at least as many more should be sent forth to the needy fields this year.

Who can properly estimate in dollars and cents the worth of twenty-five missionaries carrying this message to the dark places of the earth? Who would wish to withdraw the little that his effort contributed to this work a year ago? Who of our people would care to be excused from having a part in a stronger and more universal effort this year?

It is doubtless true that many in our churches failed to have any part in last year’s effort. If the matter of individual responsibility could be so presented to our people that every member of every church would do faithfully his part, we feel certain that at least sixty thousand dollars could be gathered in, making it possible to maintain the workers sent out last year, and open the way for sending as many more this year.

When we consider that this effort is not drawing upon our own resources, but that it calls in funds from the world, and that it also places in the hands of the people reading-matter that is designed to accomplish much good by bringing

prominently before the world this great advance movement, we should be encouraged in our efforts, and it should lead to a most hearty response on the part of every lover of truth. We are not merely to hold our own in this great world-wide work. Anything short of advancement in our missionary operations will have the appearance of stepping backward.

Holly, Mich.