The Fourth of July Offering
By Arthur G. Daniells
EVERY true believer in the third angel's message will be glad that arrangements have been made by the General Conference Committee to take an offering in all our churches on the Fourth of July for the cause of God. We are living in the midst of perils. The judgments of God are falling upon the land. Disasters follow one another in quick succession. Floods, fires, droughts, cyclones, and volcanic eruptions are doing a terrible work in the destruction of lives and property. At the same time murders, suicides, massacres, and riots of the most revolting character are taking place in all parts of the world. And with all these there are the most shocking revelations of bribery, swindling, and all other forms of corruption in high business and official circles. In the face of this alarming situation, millions of people will give themselves up to mirth and revelry on the coming Fourth of July. Shows, races, theaters, dances, and various other amusements will receive a large patronage. Millions of dollars will be thoughtlessly and uselessly spent for that which will do harm. Thus God's money will be squandered. Brethren and sisters, what ought to be the course and example of those who have the light of the third angel's message at such a time, and in the midst of such conditions? Should not our course be as opposite to that of the world as our light is opposed to the darkness of the world? If not, what is the object of our light? None of us will think that we can consistently attend the dances, theaters, shows, and races. We certainly can not spend our money for liquor, tobacco, and other harmful articles. We can not attend the celebrations. They will take place on the Sabbath. Besides, they are not compatible with our profession. One of the most clearly remembered and helpful features of my discipline when a lad was being kept away from Fourth-of-July celebrations. This was done by a Christian mother and a zealous, godly church. What shall we as a people do on July 4, 1903? — We shall attend church; for it will be the Sabbath day. We shall lift our hearts in praise and thanksgiving to our God for the light of the third angel's message and the blessings it has brought to us. We shall praise God for a true knowledge of the time in which we live; for a knowledge of the meaning of the events that are taking place around us; for being taught how to spend our time and energies and means, how to live economically and healthfully, and how to work for the everlasting good of our fellow men. And with this lip-and-heart service we shall make a definite and hallowed offering of our means to the cause of God in the Australasian field. O, how beautiful this will be, compared with the offering so many millions will make on the altar of selfishness! And how consistent with our profession! While the world is swiftly rushing down to ruin, they squander money, time, and health in festivities; but the people of God separate themselves from these vanities, and in connection with their words of gratitude for his love, they lay a consecrated offering at his feet to be used in his great cause. This offering will go to a distant, needy, but very promising field. It will gladden the hearts of our brethren and our sisters who are struggling with great difficulties in their endeavors to advance the cause of our common Master. They are few in numbers. Terrible droughts and forest fires have almost ruined large portions of the country. The financially ruined and suffering people of Australia need the help our people can give them in carrying to them this message. But our people there also need the help we can give them in money. This will be the splendid, noble, self-sacrificing aim of Seventh-day Adventists on the Fourth of July. Brethren and sisters, let us not disappoint our dear people in Australia who are looking with great desire for a large offering. O, may this be one of the best occasions of this kind we have ever experienced! A. G. DANIELLS.