p. 6 | A Reasonable Request by Arthur G. Daniells

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D.C. · Dec 1, 1904

A Reasonable Request

By Arthur G. Daniells

ONCE more before the week of prayer opens, I feel it duty to place before our people the recommendation passed by the General Conference Committee in behalf of the annual offering to be taken Sabbath, December 17. That recommendation reads as follows:—

Whereas, We have now opened missions in nearly every country in the world, thus permanently establishing our cause in all lands; and,—

Whereas, The steps we have already taken bring to us more pressing calls for more laborers and means; therefore,—

We recommend, That a call be made for an annual offering of $80,000, and that we earnestly request the vigilant co-operation of all conference officers, ministers, church officers, and people everywhere in raising this amount during the next week of prayer.

At first thought, eighty thousand dollars may seem like a very large offering to call for, and it may appear as though the committee acted without proper consideration. Whether the eighty thousand dollars is too much to expect from our people on this occasion is a question that each individual must decide for himself, but I can assure all that the action was taken by the committee and a large number of conference officers, after mature deliberation. We looked over the great field in which we are operating, with the greatest care. We took into account the rapid strides the cause is making in every land, and we listened to some of the soul-stirring calls that are continually coming to us for more laborers and multiplied facilities. We recounted the number of workers there are in the fields.

With all the facts before us, we were convinced that this denomination should, at this time, make an annual offering of at least eighty thousand dollars.

It will be noticed that the recommendation which names the amount, appeals most earnestly to every conference officer, minister, church officer, and believer to assist in the effort to secure the offering named. We are praying that the Lord will lay this burden upon the hearts of his great army named in this resolution. If ministers, conference and church officers, who have accepted the grave responsibilities of leadership in this mighty movement, will take this matter to heart and encourage the people, the amount called for will be secured.

Let none imagine that giving is a matter too unspiritual and commercial to have a place in the week-of-prayer services. The history of God's work in the earth shows that all the way along he has closely connected giving with the most sacred features of his work and the bestowment of his richest blessings upon the church. Examine the record of Israel in the wilderness and the building of the sanctuary; of David and Solomon and the building of the temple; and finally of the glorious experience of the apostolic church when they were filled with the Holy Ghost. While some went forth preaching the kingdom of God, others laid at the feet of the apostles all their possessions. Thus it will be in the closing work of the gospel. The Spirit of God will be poured out upon all flesh. Under the influence of that Spirit men and women will give their lives to the work, and will go to the uttermost parts of the earth. Others, who can not go, but who have means, will, like Barnabas and other believers in apostolic days, sell their possessions, and lay them at the feet of those who give their lives to the work.

Every condition in the world to-day bears the strongest evidence that we are very near the end, and that the time has fully come for an unreserved surrender and a complete sacrifice to be made by God's people. Shall not the coming week of prayer witness such a consecration as we have never experienced? If so, the eighty thousand dollars so greatly needed just now to do the work that can not be delayed, except at the peril and loss of souls, will surely be contributed by this people.

A. G. DANIELLS.