A Pleasing Incident by Editor

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, Cal. · Aug 3, 1882

A Pleasing Incident.

By Editor

It was Dr. John Hall's Church, if our memory is not at fault, which needed a new building, but the brethren were not decided as to their ability to erect such a house as they desired. While the question was pending one morning the doctor heard a feeble rap at the door, which he answered himself, and there found a small boy with a child's wheelbarrow upon which were two bricks.

The boy told the doctor that he had heard they were going to build a church, and he had brought the bricks to help them. It made a strong impression on the doctor's mind, and at the next meeting he told his church that they need consult on the subject no longer, for the house was going to be built, as he had already received the first load of bricks! And the house was built.

We were forcibly reminded of this on the Oregon Camp-ground. While Bro. Boyd was raising some money in the congregation, coming down to three dollars, he requested all who would give that sum to raise their hands. With the others a little boy, seven years old, sitting near the center-pole, raised his hand. We supposed he raised his hand because others did, without understanding the object, but his father, speaking from another part of the tent, said that if the boy offered to give his money he meant it. We then thought the amount too large, but on speaking to him on that point he said he raised his hand to give three dollars, and would not fall below that! His father then said that the boy had money of his own, which he had earned, and he would as willingly have him use it that way as any other.

We certainly felt encouraged for the cause in Oregon when it has such supporters. This example of the little boy ought to stimulate all within the bounds of that Conference to put forth most energetic efforts to support the cause. It was a sacrifice on the part of the lad. Every one can realize this. Let the older ones manifest the same spirit, and success is assured.

Another "improvement" we would make of this incident is this: Funds which are raised by the self-denying sacrifices of the poor and of children are very sacred in the eyes of the Lord, and ought to be used with the greatest carefulness. Only imagine a person taking the widow's "two mites" and squandering them. If it were so, and his history should go down with that of the poor widow, what would the record be? Such as none of us would care to acknowledge.