The $300,000 Fund by William T. Knox

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 24, 1910

The $300,000 Fund

By William T. Knox

During the last General Conference, no resolution seemed to awaken a deeper interest, or receive more hearty response, than that which provided for what is known as the $300,000 Fund. This is doubtless because of the objects to which the fund is devoted.

In America our institutional facilities have been greatly multiplied. We are glad for every facility we possess for the furtherance of this message; but in only a few of the other lands, with their teeming populations, has even a beginning been made in securing like facilities in ever so modest proportions. There our chief, and many times only, asset is the missionary who has left a comfortable home and a salubrious climate to carry the message to the less favored lands; and too often have our minds been shocked and our hearts saddened to hear of these God-fearing men and women, after great toil and sacrifice, losing their lives in the fever-stricken regions where they have been compelled to live in unsuitable and insanitary quarters; and thus the work has apparently been set back for years.

The resolution that gave birth to this effort to raise the $300,000 Fund very clearly and concisely outlines the object and scope of the movement. It is as follows:—

We recommend that the General Conference Executive Committee at once start what shall be known as the $300,000 Fund for institutional work, and missionary homes in foreign fields, a certain portion of this money to be raised each year during the succeeding quadrennial term.

Four years were allotted to this work, which makes the task a feasible and comparatively easy one. But already 1909 is in the past, and we are well into the year 1910. We must be up and doing at once, if this task is to be accomplished in the appointed time.

It is now designed to raise the fund in three yearly efforts. It is gratifying to note that already some conferences have made a decided start, and by resolution have decided to give this work the right of way over pressing local affairs. If this spirit generally prevailed, a speedy and successful termination would be assured.

The REVIEW AND HERALD will contain each month a statement showing by conferences the progress of this work. The report in this issue (on page 13) is for funds received up to the last of January, 1910. Minnesota is the banner State, having been the first conference to pay into the General Conference treasury the full amount of its yearly instalment. It is expected, however, that other conferences will rapidly follow.

The work is now on. The needs are urgent. Shall we not all, conference officers and members, make a quick and successful campaign, and thus gladden the hearts of our brethren in less favored situations, and place their work on a more favorable basis?

W. T. KNOX.