SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATION by John Nevins Andrews; James White; Seneca H. King

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 26, 1868

SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATION.

By John Nevins Andrews; James White; Seneca H. King

An association was formed during the session of the General Conference, having for its object the relief of widows and orphans, and of such other persons as may be worthy of assistance. The organization consists of a president, secretary, treasurer, and an executive committee of three. It is expected that all our people everywhere will take an active part in carrying out the objects of this society. For this purpose the elders and deacons of all our churches are authorized to act as agents of the society for the accomplishment of its work. But none of the officers or agents of the society are to receive any salary or compensation for the work which they perform. Nor does the society contemplate the lavish and indiscriminate expenditure of means, even in behalf of those who are the especial objects of its assistance. It designs that orphans and destitute children shall be not only received when offered to our care, but even searched after and hunted up. That these shall be placed in families who have the cause of God at heart, who will receive and train up these children in the fear of the Lord. It also proposes to care for widows and others who are worthy of assistance. It is designed, just as far as possible, to help such persons to help themselves by finding them homes and employment when they are able to do something for themselves; and when they can do little or nothing, to aid them in a judicious manner, as they are worthy.

But while extending aid in such a manner as to see that none who are worthy of aid shall suffer, it is designed to act with such carefulness that means shall not be lavishly used for those who only wish to throw themselves upon the charity of the benevolent, when really unworthy of any help from the people of God. The association designs to maintain correspondence, so far as is necessary, with all its agents, so that if suitable homes for those it proposes to relieve cannot be found in one locality, they may in another.

Although the society proposes to pay no salaries to its officers or agents, and to use its means with strict economy, as indicated above, yet, of necessity, there will be means to a considerable extent constantly needed for the assistance of those who have claims on its benevolence. To raise this means, it is decided to fix the payment of the sum of $10 as a condition of membership, and besides this, to ask donations from all who approve the object of the society. At the organization of the society during the conference just past, one hundred and fifty persons pledged the sum of $10 each, and many of them paid the pledge at once. The society is therefore already under way, and with the blessing of God and the co-operation of his people, it hopes to accomplish great results.

1. It hopes to save orphan children from the ruin to which they are almost inevitably exposed, and to bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

2. It hopes to place many widows and persons who are in need of homes and of employment, in such a situation that they may, with small pecuniary assistance, be able to help themselves.

3. And finally, it hopes to act the part of the good Samaritan in accordance with the fact described in Isaiah lviii; and in the great day of final account, to be able to meet the conditions of settlement laid down in Matt. xxv, 31–46.

And now, brethren, we confidently look to you for help in this noble work. Who of you will do good, hoping for nothing again till the resurrection of the just? Who will be like Job, eyes to the blind, and feet to the lame? Who, like him, will search out the cause which you know not? Who of you will have the blessing of him that is ready to perish come upon you, and cause the widow’s heart to sing for joy? Who will deal their bread to the hungry, and bring the poor that are cast out to their houses? And finally, who will have it said of them at the last day, “I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat; I was thirsty, and

ye gave me drink; I was a stranger, and ye took me in; naked, and ye clothed me?”

Those who attended the Conference gave their pledges freely and liberally. Those who did not attend the Conference should do as liberally. It is true they were not present to be stirred by appeals on the subject. But they should act from principle. Read the sermon on “An Acceptable Fast,” in this paper, and take stock in this work in the fear of God. Send in your pledges for membership, and the cash, if convenient, as soon as possible.

All communications relative to the duties of the Committee should be addressed to M. S. Burnham, Allegan, Allegan Co., Mich. Pledges and money should be forwarded to the Review Office, unless more convenient to forward to Bro. Burnham.

J. N. ANDREWS, JAMES WHITE, SENECA H. KING. } Com.