An Important Day

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 1, 1902

SABBATH, April 5, will be an important day in all our churches throughout the entire country. It will be the regular quarterly meeting occasion, when we trust all will celebrate the ordinances of the Lord's house in a spirit of devotion and consecration such as has never been experienced before. Every ordinance meeting should be more important than the preceding one as we near the close of probation.

Upon this occasion will be read an appeal sent to our churches with reference to the Missionary Acre Fund, a subject of vast importance. No donation will be asked for that fund, but we hope that all will listen to the appeal, and then in the near future study over the matter, and decide what can be done to aid the cause by sowing and reaping for the Lord. We trust that every one will consider the matter seriously and act liberally.

The entire donation taken in the Sabbath-school and church for the day will go into the regular collection for the benefit of the Orphans' and Old People's Homes. During the last three years I have known more or less of these institutions. I have held meetings frequently in both places, and having become more thoroughly acquainted with their management, I can truly say that I feel a deeper interest in both Homes than before. I believe that they are being conducted on right principles. I know the employees of both institutions to be conscientious, God-fearing persons, and could those who read this article see the devotion and faithfulness on the part of those who care for the children and the aged people, their hearts would be touched, and they would see that they are trying to do the best they can for the physical and spiritual wants of all connected with the Homes. The children are being educated in that which is practical. They are taught to work, and they are taught the Bible; and could you kneel with them in prayer, and hear their testimonies, you certainly would be encouraged, and fully convinced that a noble work is being accomplished in their behalf. Every dollar that is given to them is expended economically, and the helpers receive very moderate wages.

The old people appreciate the meetings that have been held with them. Their testimonies are fervent, and many of them who have no means will do anything they are capable of doing to earn a few dimes for the comfort of some one else. One aged sister has gone out among the townspeople, kindly prayed and labored with them, and presented the needs of our foreign work, and has brought in several dollars to aid in the foreign mission work.

These two noble institutions stand in need of our sympathy, and they should share not only in our sympathy, but in our donations. On account of changes that have taken place since the burning of the Sanitarium, it has been difficult for these Homes to get along. Now, reader, on Sabbath, April 5, will you not remember these institutions? A few dimes and dollars may not be seriously missed by each donor, but when these sums are placed in the contribution, in the aggregate they will make a liberal sum for the support of these two institutions during the next six months. Who will remember to aid in the contribution of April 5? Let none forget.