p. 6 | Untitled article by Arthur Grosvenor Daniells

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jan 6, 1910

The $300,000 Fund

By Arthur Grosvenor Daniells

THE readers of the REVIEW and of the General Conference Bulletin have already learned of the action of the General Conference while in session last spring, recommending that a special fund of three hundred thousand dollars be raised during the present quadrennial period, for small, but greatly needed institutions in mission fields, and homes for our missionaries in regions where it is impossible for them to rent houses.

The time has now arrived, when, according to arrangement, the campaign for raising this fund is to be launched. The action of the General Conference, which will be found on page 288 of the General Conference Bulletin, reads as follows:—

We recommend, That the General Conference Executive Committee at once start what shall be known as the $300,000 fund for institutional work and missionary homes in foreign fields, a certain portion of this money to be raised each year during the succeeding quadrennial term, and to be apportioned approximately on the following basis:—

To specified fields,— China ............................ $100,000 Japan ................................ 50,000 Korea ................................ 25,000 India ................................ 50,000 Mexico .............................. 15,000 South America ....................... 35,000 Russia ................................ 5,000 Abyssinia ............................ 3,000 Latin Union School ................... 5,000 To be appropriated ............ 12,000 Total ............................... $300,000

At the autumn council of the General Conference Committee held in College View, Neb., last October, the following recommendations were passed relating to the time of the campaign and the distribution of responsibility in raising this fund:—

Whereas, At the late session of the General Conference it was recommended that three hundred thousand dollars be raised to supply institutions already required in foreign fields for the proper development of our work, these institutions to consist of schools, printing plants, and sanitariums; also to erect homes for missionaries where conditions require, and,—

Whereas, There is great need in many lands for immediate use of this fund; therefore,—

We recommend, 1. That the systematic raising of the $300,000 fund be begun early in 1910.

2. That the responsibility of raising this three hundred thousand dollars be assumed by the union and local conferences of North America, apportionment being made on the basis of church and company membership as published in the statistical secretary’s report of membership for 1908; that this membership be adhered to until the fund is raised; and that on this basis the apportionment stand as follows:— Atlantic Union .............. $24,892.80 Central Union ................. 44,097.60 Columbia Union ................ 31,536.00 Lake Union .................... 61,200.00 Northern Union ............... 28,704.00 North Pacific Union .......... 29,073.60 Pacific Union ................ 36,580.80 Southeastern Union ............ 6,907.20 Southern Union ................ 6,417.60 Southwestern Union ........... 22,056.60 Canadian Union ................ 4,233.60 West Canadian Union ........... 4,027.20

3. That we invite Seventh-day Adventists in all the world to join the North American union conferences in raising this fund.

4. That the making up of this fund be completed by Dec. 31, 1912.

5. That all donations to this fund be paid through the regular channels.

6. That treasurers be instructed to report and forward all receipts on this fund, together with all other funds, monthly,—churches not later than the last day of each month, State treasurers not later than the tenth of each month, union conference treasurers not later than the fifteenth of each month.

7. That in the raising of this fund each union conference is free to pursue such policy as it may elect.

8. That the General Conference treasury department publish monthly a report of all receipts in the REVIEW AND HERALD, by union and local conferences.

9. That the General Conference treasury department report monthly to local conferences all money received on this fund from conference territory not having passed through the regular channels.

10. That we request the Sabbath-school Department to provide from one to two Sabbath-school lessons each quarter on tithes and offerings.

11. That the Signs of the Times be

invited to open its columns in behalf of this fund, as well as in behalf of other missionary enterprises; that it report to the General Conference treasurer monthly, by individuals and conferences, all receipts on this fund, in order that due credit may be given.

These recommendations will appeal to the heart and judgment of every Seventh-day Adventist. They were passed without a dissenting voice or vote by the representative meetings in which they were considered. We are now sending more than one hundred missionaries each year to mission fields. The work of the Lord for this time is rapidly reaching out and extending into all nations. With every extension of the work, additional demands and responsibilities are placed upon us. Some of the facilities which have done so much to make our work efficient and permanent in the United States, in Europe, and in Australia must be provided for other countries, where, in some respects, the needs are even greater.

Training-schools are especially needed in such countries as Russia, China, Japan, Korea, India, Africa, and South America, where many who accept the truth may be trained for efficient work in their respective fields. Literature, which in the providence of God has been a great pioneering agent in the opening up of foreign missions, must be provided in the native languages and dialects, and we must provide small mission printing plants in many of these fields, in which native helpers can be employed in the production of literature in their own languages.

There was a universal demand from our missionaries who attended the last General Conference that mission training-schools and publishing facilities be provided for their respective fields, so that the work may develop solidly upon an educational, permanent basis.

In many heathen lands, also, where suffering and ignorance abound on every side, there is a crying demand for small sanitariums, treatment-rooms, and dispensaries, where missionary physicians and nurses may care for the sick and suffering, and, while ministering to their physical needs, teach them, as did the Great Physician, the healing for sin provided in the gospel.

In such countries as India, China, Korea, and parts of Africa, homes are needed for our missionaries. In the large cities of these countries the price of rent on a suitable house is very high, often amounting to more than the wages paid to our workers. This condition forces the workers to seek homes in unsanitary places, where they are exposed to fatal diseases, and are surrounded by filth and crime. In other places they are sometimes forced to live in native dwellings without floors, where they suffer from exposure, vermin, and disease.

These unfavorable conditions, under which many of our missionaries live, are doubtless responsible for many of the deaths, and for the return of many of our missionaries, who, after a few years of service, come home broken down in health. It has been poor economy to leave our workers thus unprovided for, when a comfortable little cottage could be built for five hundred to a thousand dollars—a far less sum than is required to bring the workers home and send others to fill their places, not to say anything of the loss of time in beginning over again by the new workers, who must learn the native language.

When this question was being discussed at the General Conference, one delegate said, “I believe it is cheaper to build a cottage on the hillside than to dig a grave in the valley.”

The time has now come for action. At the union conferences already held, this matter has received earnest consideration, and well-matured plans have been developed for a united, enthusiastic campaign for the raising of this fund. Let every believer, every church, and every conference rally to accomplish the work. Let us be strong and of a good courage, for we are abundantly able to possess the land.

In the providence of God, the doors of all nations have been thrown open, and stand ajar ready for our coming. “On to the finishing of the work,” must be our watchword; for “this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” Let us advance unitedly in the good work, until this blessed fruition of the Christian’s hope is realized. A. G. DANIELLS.