p. 14 | Enlarging the Channels by William T. Knox

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 14, 1910

Enlarging the Channels

By William T. Knox

What am I doing to meet the obligations of to-day? is a question to which every one should give careful consideration. Are we meeting and discharging our duties as they fall due, or are we permitting them to accumulate upon us with the possibility that they will eventually increase beyond our ability to discharge?

The work of this message of God is like the on-flowing of some mighty river with its ever accumulating and accelerating flood. As we follow its onward flow, it is always evident that the banks of to-day can not contain the waters of to-morrow.

The Lord has promised to cut short his work in righteousness, and in his wisdom he gives to his people only such opportunities as they can care for to-day, but to-morrow's task will be augmented with our increased ability. No one need anticipate that the crest of the flood has reached us, and that we may now expect some cessation in the Lord's calls upon our efforts and means. The high tide of this work will not be reached until our Lord himself shall come, for “this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.”

The closing years of the message will have witnessed its swelling into an ever-increasing “loud cry.” Rapid developments in distant lands, with their ever-increasing calls for assistance, are to us the most assuring and encouraging omens of the guidance and blessing of God in our work.

The important question, however, is, How are we meeting these calls? Does passing time find us with its duties, obligations, and privileges properly met and discharged? or are we allowing them to accumulate to that extent that we are in danger of being eventually overwhelmed with the increased flood?

For almost a year now the mission fields have been looking to us with longing eyes for the promised help that would enable them to make some slight provision for their needs in educational, medical, and publishing work. While three hundred thousand dollars sounds large to us, yet how little it is when we attempt to meet the pressing necessities of the millions of China, India, Japan, and other nations; and how meager must be the work established from this fund in comparison with the task to be accomplished.

With the added blessing of him who fed the multitude from the few loaves and fishes, we may expect great results.

But “the King's business requires haste.” One hundred thousand or one hundred fifty thousand dollars of this fund should be in the hands of our missionaries not later than the fall of 1910. To accomplish this every one must take hold with all earnestness, and the donations hurried forward in the appointed channels. Let us, therefore, do to-day with all our strength the task that God has appointed us, expecting that his joy and blessing will be ours in our efforts.

The following statement shows the progress in raising this fund:—

Statement of $300,000 Fund, April 1, 1910

Atlantic Union Conference Central New England ........ $359.15 Greater New York .......... 367.48 Northern New England ...... 81.69 Southern New England ...... 18.00 Western New England ....... 10.00 Total ..................... 836.32

Canadian Union Conference Maritime .................. 12.68 Quebec .................... 2.50 Ontario ................... 5.70 Total ..................... 20.88

Central Union Conference Kansas .................... 17.45 North Missouri ............ 311.82 West Colorado ............. 1.00 Wyoming ................... 337.15 Total ..................... 667.42

Columbia Union Conference District of Columbia ...... 116.05 Total ..................... 116.05

Lake Union Conference East Michigan ............. 141.71 Indiana ................... 422.61 Total ..................... 564.32

Northern Union Conference Minnesota ................. 2660.10 Iowa ...................... 100.00 South Dakota .............. 10.00 Total ..................... 2770.10

North Pacific Union Conference Upper Columbia ............ 9.00 Western Oregon ............ 13.00 Western Washington ........ 8.36 Alaska .................... .65 Total ..................... 31.01

Pacific Union Conference California ................ 81.51 Southern California ....... 100.00 Total ..................... 181.51

Southern Union Conference Alabama ................... 1.00 Total ..................... 1.00

Southeastern Union Conference Florida ................... 104.50 North Carolina ............ 7.41 Total ..................... 111.91

Miscellaneous India ..................... 15.00 New Zealand ............... 102.27 England ................... 490.00 Total ..................... 607.27

Grand total ................ $5907.79

W. T. KNOX, Treasurer.