The Annual Religious Liberty Offering by K. C. Russell

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

The Annual Religious Liberty Offering

By K. C. Russell

THE time for the next annual general religious liberty offering is Sabbath, Feb. 5, 1910.

In the past the offering has been exclusively for the work of the General Religious Liberty Department, but at the late session of the General Conference, it was decided to have this offering divided equally between the General, union, and local conferences. The following is a copy of the resolution passed at that time:—

“Whereas, Agitation for Sunday legislation is rapidly increasing in the United States and in Canada; and,—

“Whereas, The general annual collection of funds for the prosecution of religious liberty work has heretofore been exclusively for the use of the General Religious Liberty Department; therefore,—

“We recommend, That there be an equal division of funds to the General, union, and local conferences in the fields.”

Since it has been decided thus to divide this offering, we trust that the beneficiaries of the funds thus secured will do their very best to see to it that this year it shall amount to three times as much as any previous year.

We have heard the very encouraging, and indeed complimentary, expression that this division would in no wise lessen the amount realized by the General Department, and we are surely glad to hope that this will be so.

The necessity for funds to carry on our work was never more imperative than at the present time. The chief reason there are not secretaries constantly employed to give their entire time to this great work in all the union and local conferences is the lack of funds. This difficulty can be very largely, if not entirely, obviated if a special effort is put forth to make this offering what it might and should be.

There are already three religious measures in Congress, two of which are Sunday bills, and an almost universal agitation for increased Sunday legislation exists on the part of the clergy throughout the country.

This is therefore the time for conference and church officials to plan for this great annual offering.

K. C. RUSSELL.