Ye Have Done It Unto Me! by H. W. Cottrell

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 21, 1907

“Ye Have Done It Unto Me!”

By H. W. Cottrell

The Collection of April 6

CHRISTIANS can not pass carelessly by the aged fathers and mothers in Israel, who may have been less fortunate than themselves in accumulating property, and retaining it for self-support in their declining days. Neither can we as Christians afford to neglect to provide for the tender lambs of the flocks — the fatherless and motherless little ones in the church of Christ to-day.

It may be that there is a providence in our having among us the destitute aged and the helpless orphans. Their crying need for financial aid and home sympathy tests the generosity and love of professed Seventh-day Adventists. Have we not from every outward appearance given up all for Christ and present truth for this hour? Christ says, “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” Again, “Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.”

At the general council held at Washington, D. C., last spring, it was decided to make a general call to our people in the United States, Sabbath, April 6, 1907, for the above-mentioned interests. Will not each Seventh-day Adventist who can do so esteem it a privilege to act his part in contributing to this important interest, and thus all working unitedly make a generous offering of many thousand dollars to the Lord.

It was the decision of the Washington council that henceforth all money contributed for the aged and orphans should be retained by the several union conferences from which it was contributed, and sacredly devoted to the work for which it was designed. The several union conference executives will have in charge the distribution of the funds. The president of each local conference, together with the leading men in the various local conferences, compose the union conference executive committee which will direct in the use of the offering.

For many years before the decease of Elder James White he was greatly exercised over the question of providing for the aged and orphans among us. Finally a home for aged was established at Battle Creek, Mich., which was called “The James White Memorial Home.” An orphanage was also established at Battle Creek, both of which have been diverted in a technical, legal way from denominational ownership and control, hence the need of our coming to the relief of the helpless of our people at once. “Ye have the poor always with you.”

H. W. COTTRELL.

Pres. Pacific Union Conference.