East Michigan by WM. GUTHRIE.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 17, 1916

East Michigan

By WM. GUTHRIE.

WITH the passing of another year, many opportunities are forever gone, and all enter upon new and more urgent tasks and responsibilities. We are a little nearer our eternal home, and therefore should be better prepared to meet our Master.

I feel that we have reached the time when we should no longer speak of defeat nor feel its debilitating effect. With God's Spirit as our guide and its power at our disposal, we press forward, expecting souls for our hire as we strive to finish the Master's work.

During 1915 we baptized more than two hundred and fifty persons into this message. Some workers set their goal at twenty-five souls won during the year, and with the Lord's help reached their goal. Others have worked equally hard, perhaps, with less results, while still others have accomplished more than they had asked or thought. Our one thought is, How many and who can we gain for the kingdom? If we do not have results in soul winning, all is lost. While we acknowledge this, we have not neglected other duties.

Having a zeal to work, our people raised $300 more than their proportion of the $100,000 goal in the Harvest Ingathering. It is the first time we have reached this goal in the East Michigan Conference, though in 1914 we raised nearly three times as much as in 1913.

Notwithstanding the fact that we passed the twenty-cent-a-week mark by $826 during 1914, for 1915 there were forty-two out of sixty-nine churches that did better, raising our surplus to $2,300 in round numbers. At the same time we raised $9,000 to clear the debt on the Adelphian Academy.

During the same period we increased our tithe $13,873.31 above 1914, and this in spite of the fact that twenty-eight churches fell below the record of 1914, frost and rain being largely responsible.

We have our aims higher for 1916, and are humbly praying God to make us victors.

WM. GUTHRIE.