p. 7 | How Shall Our Share Be Raised? by George I. Butler

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

How Shall Our Share Be Raised?

By George I. Butler

An important question in the Southern Union Conference at this time is, How shall we raise our share of the $150,000 fund?

By a careful estimate, it was unanimously agreed upon by our delegates and the General Conference officers that the sum of six thousand dollars would be the reasonable share for this union conference. The writer apprehends that the brethren and sisters who are true to this cause in this field would never for one moment be willing to fail in doing their just share in raising this sum.

In view of the fact that our Southern field receives fifty thousand dollars of this fund for its own benefit, to equip its suffering institutions, without which they could not be placed on vantage-ground, how could any self-respecting believer here in the South be willing to see this union conference fail in raising its share? This needs no argument.

We call attention to an article in this number from the pen of Elder R. M. Kilgore, the vice-president of the Southern Union Conference, concerning the movement at Graysville to raise the five hundred dollars that is about the share of that church. Let every reader of this paper carefully consider this excellent plan of our largest church in the South to raise its proportion of this fund, one twelfth of the share of the union conference. We urge all to carefully study this plan, for it seems to us most excellent. It is businesslike, and it enlists all in the work. It makes provision for collectors to either visit every member, or if absent, write to them. If these solicitors are wide-awake, earnest men, filled with solicitude for the success of this important work, setting before the members the consistency, reasonableness, and importance of this work, and the benefits to be derived from the fund to this poverty-stricken field in building up its needy institutions, the proportion of each can easily be raised, and great rejoicing will result.

We heartily indorse this businesslike plan which enlists all in the work, and ask the cordial co-operation of every officer and member in this conference. How much better to have some fixed point ahead to aim at than to be drizzling along in some indefinite way. The plan requires energy, push, complete unity of effort, and a loving, longing desire to see this great effort to carry on the work of God made a success.

Sabbath May 4, is the objective point when this plan should reach its consummation. We have not a moment to spare in getting at this work. Every member of each and all our churches composing the Southern Union Conference ought to feel a holy zeal in doing his part. Our great desire is to see this union conference earnest and faithful in all that pertains to the advancement of this best of all causes.

In view of these facts, we solemnly call upon each State conference or mission field, and the committee of the same, to at once set in motion every church and the officers thereof. The president of each State conference should at once call his committee together, and obtain from the conference secretary the number of members in each church, and give to the elder or officers of each local church the amount apportioned to their church to be raised. Then as quickly as possible the officers of the local church should proceed to appoint solicitors. The members of the conference committee should keep a constant supervision over this work, and assist all in their power to raise the various apportionments.

The success of this excellent plan will depend largely upon the interest taken in it by the officers of the conference and churches, and the earnestness and enthusiasm they put into it. The plan is so reasonable, and the needs of the cause so great, and the importance of its success so evident, that it must succeed.

Giving to the cause of God is lending to the Lord his own. All is his, and we are his by creation, preservation, and redemption. To fail in bestowing our offerings is called “robbing God.” Mal. 3:8. “The liberal soul shall be made fat.” “God loveth a cheerful giver.”

GEO. I. BUTLER, President Southern Union Conf.