p. 7 | One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Dollar Fund

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D.C. · Nov 7, 1907

One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Dollar Fund

By I. H. Evans

For Special Work at Home and Abroad

Can It Be Done?

THIS week's report shows $98,919.13 already received on the large fund. This amount is the result of about eleven months' work. There remains about $51,000 yet to raise. Some of this, in fact a considerable amount, has already been pledged, and will be paid as the pledges provide. Naturally, we would conclude that the unpledged portion would come in slowly, and at considerable effort. This depends, however, upon the co-operation of the entire field.

When we were raising the $100,000 for Washington, it will be remembered that after $65,000 had been reported, there was a very slow growth for a time, when suddenly the whole amount was raised, and some $15,000 besides. This, too, all came within the short space of two months. That amount of time yet remains of the year 1907. Should we take hold of this fund, and definitely plan to raise the whole amount before the new year, it would certainly be possible. What we need is the watchword to pass along from heart to heart, and a word of good cheer to fall into line and lift.

Once I was at a “barn raising” where the timbers were heavy, and the men but few. We had a bent about half up, and it seemed to stick fast in the air. It scarcely moved. Some said, “We can never lift it.” Others said, “It will surely come down on our heads.”

I saw we were powerless to hold it steady in mid-air long. No one was doing his best. Every one was looking to see what the others were going to do. I said to a neighbor lifting on the same pike with me, “You go, take off your hat, and shout, ‘Hee-o-hee,’ and we will put this up. Otherwise, some one will be killed.” He stepped out and said, “Now, men, get ready for a lift. Every man to his pike. Now, Hee-o-hee!” and it started. “Again, now, Hee-o-hee!” and up again it went. “Step right up now, and give it another lift. Ready now, Hee-o-hee!” and in the time it takes to read this, the bent was up.

This was accomplished by united effort. No ten men could have ever raised the bent. When all lifted unitedly, their combined strength made what otherwise would have been an impossibility, an easy task. So in this large fund, if each would do his best, the task would soon be finished.

Fifty thousand dollars is not a large sum for this people to raise in a short time. There are many who can give a goodly sum. A few thousand-dollar men would help wonderfully just now.

When the Thank-offering for the Episcopalians was taken recently, a million dollars was received in a few days. Men of wealth came forward and gave liberally. Two men gave each one hundred thousand dollars. They were millionaires. We have no members in our ranks of such wealth, but there are not a few to whom God has given means, who can give a liberal donation.

Many may have to give more than their pro rata share, but can not this fund be raised before the new year?

What is done, must be done quickly. We need to pass the word of courage along, and let each step to the front and do his best till the work is done. It can be done in 1907. Shall it be done?

I. H. EVANS.