p. 10 | The Midsummer Offering by W. T. Knox

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 1, 1911

The Midsummer Offering

By W. T. Knox

THE message of the third angel is still onward. From some quarters we hear of opposition and difficulties; from others, of only encouragement and successes, but everywhere of progress. From China come reports of companies of Sabbath-keepers who have not yet beheld the face of one of our workers. In Korea meeting-houses are being erected as memorials of God's truth and message. In Africa the urgent demands for the establishment of new stations far outstrip our ability to supply. And from all countries the messages of our faithful missionaries, while expressing deep regret because of their limitations, speak of courage and of rejoicing over successes given by the Lord of the harvest.

While in America the increase in numbers of believers is not what we would desire, yet the work in some of the large cities is making encouraging progress. By far the most unsatisfactory condition confronting us is our inability to supply the necessary workers and means to meet the many opportunities that are now presented to us for the advancement of the message; and yet the situation, viewed from one standpoint, should be a cause of rejoicing, indicating as it does the rapid progress of the work and the hastening of the day of the Lord.

The financial relief expected from the division of tithe by the local conferences is not yet being fully realized by the General Conference treasury, as some of the conferences required time to adjust their work before they could render this assistance. Thus far for the first four months of the year, there has been received by the treasurer, from this source, $24,289.20, while the mission offerings from all sources for the same time have amounted to $120,286.47, a total of $144,575.67. The calls made upon us for the year 1911 totaled over $475,000, but in making the appropriations, the General Conference Committee felt obliged to reduce this to $410,000, notwithstanding the great disappointment this would mean to our brethren in the mission fields. Of this amount, $155,084.45 has been disbursed during the first four months of the year. Comparing the disbursements with the receipts for the same period, we are confronted with the possibility of a shortage of $30,000 for the year.

Sabbath, July 1, has been set apart as the day upon which the regular midsummer offering will be made by our people. The necessity of a liberal offering from all is sufficiently evident to require no comment. The Mission Board is looking forward to this offering for the relief needed. The church officers should keep before the people the urgency of the situation, that money that might otherwise be needlessly, if not foolishly expended, may instead flow into the treasury of the Lord.

Let us plan on this occasion to make ample provision for the work and the necessities of our brethren in foreign fields. “For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.” W. T. Knox.