THE MOTIVE IN GIVING

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · May 13, 1880

THE MOTIVE IN GIVING.

We used to invite people to subscribe to the missionary cause, but in a species of public competition not dissimilar from the methods of an auctioneer. Fortunately we have got past that, and the great cause rests on the conscience of the church and the principles it has adobted. Rev. Mr. Osborne told a story at the late Wesleyan annual meeting which recalls the olden time. It is as follows:

Many of the negro people in the West Indies are, in giving their money, subject to the same sort of influences as people at home. For instance some time ago a missionary meeting was being held, and a gentleman was reading the list of contributions, and cried out, "Nelson Coffee, one dollar." Nelson Coffee was in the chapel, and he said: "You say Mr. Nelson Coffee, and me give two dollar." "Well," said the gentleman, "if you give five dollars I will say, 'Nelson Coffee, Esquire'" "Massa, me pay de money!"

That seems to be applying the honorable designation of "Esquire" there pretty much as we do at home. I do not know by what principle people who prepare subscription lists are guided, or why they call one person "Mr. John Smith," and another "John Smith, Esq.;" but if ever they have a difficulty they will perhaps recollect how it is got over in the West Indies.—Northern Advocate.