A Plan that Works by Arthur G. Daniells

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 13, 1906

A Plan that Works

By Arthur G. Daniells

When it had been decided to call for $150,000, and we began to plan how to raise it, the conviction came clear and strong to us that instead of arranging for the effort to be made largely by some one at headquarters, the responsibility should be distributed in a reasonable, natural way among all who hold offices in all our conferences and churches. We believed that if every union and local conference and every church would put its shoulder under the load and lift in proportion to its strength as represented in membership and means, the $150,000 could and would be easily, quickly, and economically raised.

It was easy to propose a natural, equable basis of division of responsibility. The statistical records for 1905 show that our church-membership in the United States and Canada was 59,260. If each one of these members would pay $2.53, the $150,000 would be raised. Then why not ask every church to raise a sum equal to $2.53 for each of its members? True, some members might be unable to pay this amount, some might have moved away, and some might be unwilling to pay anything. On the other hand, some could easily pay many times $2.53, and on the whole each church could raise its share.

Our organization is such that all our believers are grouped together in churches, the churches are grouped into local conferences, and the local conferences are grouped into union conferences. Why not, then, distribute the responsibility among these union and local conferences and churches according to the membership of each? Why not arrange for every union and local conference committee, every band of church officers, and every minister and conference laborer connected with these organizations, to assume the responsibility of raising this fund? If all would take hold of this task earnestly and enthusiastically, could it not soon be disposed of?

It was decided to try this plan here at headquarters in the District of Columbia. The District executive committee accepted the responsibility of raising $2.53 for every church-member in the District. The report gave four hundred and sixty-seven members, which would mean $1,181.51 for the District. In looking the situation over, the committee saw plainly that some members would have to pay for others, but they believed that the District ought to raise its share.

Arrangements were made for a most excellent Thanksgiving service, and for the raising of the entire amount on the Sabbath following. The blessing of the Lord attended their efforts, and on that one day the whole amount for the District was provided for, and everybody was happy.

[[FIGURE]]

The officers of the churches adopted the following plan: They first ascertained the membership of their churches; then they placed on blackboards squares representing the members,—a square for each member. After explaining clearly the reasons for raising the $150,000, the importance of every one's doing his part, and showing how easily and quickly the whole amount would be raised if every member would simply pay the small sum of $2.53, they requested every member to take at least one square. They gave each person the privilege of paying his proportion at the rate of ten cents a day for every $2.53.

This proposition appeared plain, simple, and reasonable to the members. They took hold of the task, and when the meetings closed, a square had been taken for nearly every church-member in the District of Columbia. There were some members who were not present. These have since been solicited to take squares, and a number have done so. Thus the District of Columbia will contribute more than its membership quota. The officers are appointing persons to collect each week the amount due from all the members. In the Takoma Park church the Young People's Society will take the responsibility of this work.

And now what can be done in one church or district or conference can be done in almost all. It is certain that if the plan outlined above had been thought of and adopted by all our churches on December 1, nearly all of the $150,000 would have been provided for that day.

Perhaps our conferences and churches that have not raised their proportion of this fund may see light in this plan and adopt it when ready to act. It is certainly simple, direct, and workable.

A. G. DANIELLS.

GENERAL CONFERENCE ADMINISTRATION BUILDING. SEE PAGE 6