One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Dollar Fund by R. M. Kilgore

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

One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Dollar Fund

By R. M. Kilgore

For Special Work at Home and Abroad

One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Dollars

THIS is quite a large sum of money; yet Seventh-day Adventists have undertaken to raise it for missionary extension, and important institutional work.

If the burden of raising this amount of money devolved upon one man, it would be crushing. If ten men were given the task, there would be delay. If a hundred of our people were set to work, it would require each one of these to raise $1,500, but few of whom could perform the task in the time allotted for it. If all our people were to put their shoulders under the load, it is estimated that each one would be required to raise only $2.53. How many are there of our people who could not raise that amount? There may be a few among us, but there are many others who would not be satisfied to give so small an amount. Some will give $10, others $25, while others will willingly give $50, and some will make their gifts to this fund $100 and more. By this plan of co-operation, the $150,000 could be easily and speedily raised.

When this plan was set before us by Elder A. G. Daniells in the REVIEW, the Graysville church immediately set itself to work. The officers of the church met in council. We found we had nearly $500 to raise as a church. This was ascertained by multiplying our membership by the amount allotted to each one, as suggested above. In order to make the amount for the church sure, it was suggested by some that $3 to each one would be better than the smaller amount.

A soliciting committee of four or more earnest, active members was appointed, being supported by the entire church. They are authorized to call on every member of the church, and present to each one personally his duty in this matter, and to collect the money. To those who may be absent, earnest letters will be written soliciting their co-operation in making up the sum total for the church and for the large fund. Those who are able to give more than the individual share must be constrained to double or quadruple the individual share, or do even more than this, in order to make up for those who are not able, such as the destitute, the widows, and those who have large families that are members of the church. Those who are poor will be invited to give all they can toward their share. Thus every member of the church will be importuned to do all in his power to enable the church to raise its share of the $150,000.

Those who are not prepared to pay all at once will be asked to render their share in instalments, as may be arranged between themselves and the solicitor, while others will ask for time, being willing to pledge.

Now, in order that the church may know when its share is made up, it is understood that all money must be gathered in and every pledge listed by the first of May. This will give ample time for all instalments to be collected, and pledges to be enrolled or met; so by that time we shall know that the task is accomplished, or just how much is yet to be done in the Graysville church.

The work is progressing, and is well under way. The officers and members of the church are awake to the fact that when all work unitedly in faith and with willing hearts, the “yoke is easy,” and the “burden is light.”

R. M. KILGORE.