A MORNING CALL by James White

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 14, 1868

A MORNING CALL.

By James White

As Bro. A. W. Maynard, one of my near neighbors, was passing to the village the other morning, he called to leave with me $100 for different benevolent objects, as follows:

Health Institute, $50 California Mission, 25 Book and Tract Fund, 15 Benevolent Association, 10 Total, $100

Bro. Maynard is not independently rich, but with habits of economy and industry is independently well to live. That is, debts do not press him, and he has a moderate supply of all those good things which a farmer needs. His family numbers nine, five of whom are not able to earn their living. There are hundreds of Seventh-day Adventists as well able to give each $100 for the various benevolent objects as Bro. Maynard, while there are not a few who could give from $200 to $500, and not feel it any more than he feels the $100.

But Bro. Maynard has been doing in this way for several years. The files of the REVIEW for the past year show receipts of smaller sums from Bro. and Sr. Maynard. This is right. Bro. Maynard is blest in so doing, because God requires it at his hands. And as I have been thinking this matter over, the question has arisen in my mind, if God requires this of Bro. Maynard, and blesses him in his liberality, how will it fare with others in like or better circumstances, who do little or nothing? There are brethren all around me in Northern Michigan who are worth as much, or more than Bro. Maynard, whose families are smaller than his, some of them have not an heir in the world, who pass along with their worldly cares and profits, and never think of calling on me, or any one else, with the $100, or more, or less, to split up among the various benevolent objects. Why is this? I inquire. It is not because they cannot raise the money. It is not because the cause does not need their help. It is not because it is not their duty to come nobly up to the work; but because their love for this world is stronger than their love for the cause of truth. These men are dying a spiritual death for want of liberality and activity in the cause of truth. They are adding to their worldly wealth. They are laying up treasures upon the earth, and are not becoming rich toward God. We invite them to follow the example of Bro. Maynard, and immediately divide $100, more or less, according to their ability, among the charitable objects of the cause of righteousness and truth. If you cannot give me, or some other agent, a morning call, please send your liberalities to the REVIEW Office.

JAMES WHITE.