Our Midsummer Offering for Missions by Arthur G. Daniells

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · May 31, 1906

Our Midsummer Offering for Missions

By Arthur G. Daniells

This offering is to be taken in all our churches, Sabbath, June 30. No stronger reasons have ever appealed to us for a large midsummer offering than we can see at this time. What we have said before, regarding our time and responsibilities, applies with much greater force to-day.

We are living in the midst of perils. The judgments of God are falling upon the land. Disasters follow one another in quick succession. Floods, fires, droughts, cyclones, and volcanic eruptions are doing a terrible work in the destruction of life and property. At the same time murders, suicides, massacres, and riots of the most revolting character are taking place in all parts of the world. And with all these there are the most shocking revelations of bribery, swindling, and all other forms of corruption in high business and official circles.

In the face of this alarming situation, millions of people will give themselves up to mirth and revelry on the coming fourth of July. Shows, races, theaters, dances, and various other amusements will receive a large patronage. Millions of dollars will be thoughtlessly and uselessly spent for that which will do harm. Thus God’s money will be squandered.

Brethren and sisters, what ought to be the course and example of those who have the light of the third angel’s message at such a time, and in the midst of such conditions? Should not our course be as opposite to that of the world as our light is opposed to the darkness of the world? If not, what is the object of our light? None of us will think that we can consistently attend the dances, theaters, shows, and races. We certainly can not spend our money for liquor, tobacco, and similar articles.

There are thousands of men and women dying without hope of a future life because they do not know the truth of the gospel as it has been made known to Seventh-day Adventists in the third angel’s message. They never can know this truth until it has been proclaimed to them, and this can not be done without money. Therefore it is plain and consistent that we should contribute our means to the cause of missions instead of wasting it in the festivities of the fourth-of-July celebration.

The third angel’s message lights up the past, present, and future. Those who know this message look at the affairs of this world in an altogether different light from those who do not know the message. The object of life, the meaning of all that is taking place,—everything has a different and a deeper significance under the light of this message.

How glad we are that the light of this message has come to us. There is nothing fanciful nor fanatical about it. We have not followed cunningly devised fables. If there is anything in the realm of the spiritual of which men and women may be certain, it is the truth as revealed in the third angel’s message. If we do not know these truths, we do not know anything about spiritual matters.

We believe every intelligent, true-hearted Seventh-day Adventist will be glad that an arrangement is made by the General Conference Committee to take a Sabbath offering for missions at a time when the masses will be spending their money so foolishly.

Shall we not decide now, before Sabbath, June 30, the day appointed for the offering, to make our gift at this time in harmony with the greatness of the needs? A. G. DANIELLS.