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Our Mission Funds

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D.C. · Nov 20, 1913

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 90, No. 47.

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Our Mission Funds

By W. T. Knox

THE accompanying report gives the results of the offerings of the denomination in North America on the Twenty-cent-a-week Fund for the three months ending September 30. By this time all will understand that this basis of offerings has been in force since July 1, with the understanding that all that is realized over and above fifteen cents a week per member is to be devoted to the relief of our training-schools and sanitariums, the basis of offerings for the first six months of the year being fifteen cents a week per member, with no relief measures for these institutions.
It is with regret that the attention of the reader is called to the fact that this report for the first quarter during which the relief measure has been in force shows such a heavy shortage in the offerings, that no measure of assistance can be expected by the institutions from this quarter's offering.
According to our membership in North America, there should have been realized $165,820.20. The results, however, show a net shortage of $55,387.50. Inasmuch as the fifteen-cent rate, which is entirely devoted to missions, should have amounted to $124,365.15, the quarter shows a deficit of over $13,000 on mission funds alone. When the reader remembers that the report for the first six months of the year for mission offerings showed a shortage of $80,449.63, it will at once be realized that our mission funds must be in a serious condition, the shortage for the three quarters totaling over $93,000, this, too, notwithstanding the great increase that has been made by the Mission Board in our working force in foreign lands during the present year.
The General Conference is now seeking to carry this heavy responsibility, with a deficit in its treasury and the monthly receipts inadequate for its expenditures.
This is a serious condition. It is not too late, however, to redeem this situation, if all will take hold with earnestness during the closing months of the year. Much can be done with the Harvest Ingathering campaign, and now that the year's work is so nearly completed, should there not be a preparation for large gifts to the mission treasury, as a token of appreciation of the mercy and kindness of God manifested to his people during the present year?
W. T. Knox.