Harvest Ingathering for Missions by A. J. S. Bourdeau

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 16, 1909

Harvest Ingathering for Missions

By A. J. S. Bourdeau

From far-away Turkey comes an order for five copies of the Missions REVIEW. Our laborers in foreign fields have thus far ordered a total of 5,727 copies.

A sister in Minnesota, sixty-nine years of age, writes: “I have had good success in return for seventeen copies of the Missions REVIEW distributed. I expect to secure ten dollars, or even more. I am so glad to have a part in this work.”

Mrs. Mary Williams, of Missouri, recently sent us her solicitor’s card, containing the names of ten donors who gave $2.25 to our foreign missions. She secured this amount through the distribution of the ten extra copies of the Missions REVIEW sent her some time ago.

Prof. H. R. Salisbury, president of the Foreign Mission Seminary of this city, informs us that the donations secured by the teachers and students of that institution average over $1.50 each to date. They have set their mark at two dollars each, and are sanguine of reaching it.

Mrs. E. J. Pilgrim, of Texas, secured $2.10 with the ten extra copies of the Missions number of the REVIEW sent to her as a subscriber to the REVIEW. She says: “I gathered this means by the use of those ten copies. If you wish, you can send me ten more copies. I will do what I can to help in the work.”

Mrs. O. M. Kelley, of New York, has forwarded her “official solicitor’s card” containing the signatures of three persons who donated $1.25 to foreign missions. In all, she received twenty copies of the REVIEW. She says: “I have sent some away to friends. I will keep at work until the last paper is gone, and will do the very best I can.”

Mrs. G. W. Payne, of Mississippi, sends the following encouraging item in regard to her campaign work: “I am an isolated Sabbath-keeper. Although very busy, I found a few moments to canvass. I have collected $13.50 for five copies of the REVIEW. On presenting the paper to a friend, he said, ‘Put me down for two dollars.’ Yesterday while out I met him again, and he said, ‘I read that paper, and it is fine. Add two dollars more for me.’ I enjoy the work.” This sister thus received an average of $2.70 for each of the five copies distributed.

Brother W. H. Covell, field missionary agent of the California Conference, writes: “I went out yesterday, worked three hours, distributed fifty papers, and collected $3.25. I also secured two excellent names for missionary correspondence, and am looking for a nice check from a prominent lady in —. Mr. William R. Beatty collected the same amount, $3.25. His wife secured eight dollars, and aims to make her total donation fifty dollars.”

Mrs. Rose Brown, of Wisconsin, has had good success in the work thus far. She says: “I have so far distributed nearly forty copies of the Missions number of the REVIEW and have received seven dollars in donations. I am still working with the paper.” If every one of our workers could collect on an average seventeen cents a paper, as this sister has done, what a large amount would be gathered in for the cause of foreign missions.

Brother Jasper Wayne, of South Dakota, has just sent in his check for $48.15 received by him from the distribution of sixty-four copies of the Missions REVIEW. He says: “I have been handling our periodicals in this way for the last five years. My time is well taken up with business, but I would not miss these annual ingatherings, as it puts me in touch with so many precious souls that I could not reach in the ordinary course of business.” Seventy-five cents a copy is certainly a good average.

Brother J. W. Bressie, principal of our intermediate school located at Chico, Cal., reports that the school was dismissed on November 17 in order that the students might engage in the Harvest Ingathering campaign. He says: “Some secured nearly five dollars; others only distributed papers, but all did something. The students and church-members have already secured donations amounting to seventy-five dollars. We expect to raise one hundred dollars.” This is an excellent report from so small a school and church.

Mrs. M. A. Duncan, aged seventy years, lives in one of the largest cities in New Jersey. She informs us that she has enjoyed some blessed experiences in her work of soliciting funds in that city. She writes: “I received the ten copies of the Missions REVIEW. I had already taken twenty-five copies through our church. When I took them, I made up my mind to secure ten dollars; and so I did. When I received the ten extra, I made up my mind to make it fifteen dollars; and so I did. Although it is difficult to go from house to house and ask for money, I do love this blessed truth as I never loved any other church.” A. J. S. BOURDEAU.