Shall we Do Less? by William C. White

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D.C. · Oct 4, 1906

Shall we Do Less?

By William C. White

AN offering was made in all our churches, Oct. 7, 1905, in behalf of the work among the colored people of the Southern States. The results of this movement were most gratifying. Nearly thirteen thousand dollars was contributed, nearly twice as much as was given the year before.

This year the day set for the annual offering in behalf of this work is October 6. Let us prepare for the occasion. Shall our gifts this year be more or less than the amount we gave a year ago? Our study of this question will call up several others:—

1. Are we as able to give as we were last year?

2. Are the necessities of the work as great?

3. Do the signs of the times, which indicate that the coming of Christ is near at hand, appeal to us as forcibly as they did a year ago?

4. Was the money given last year used wisely? and has it brought forth satisfactory results?

To all these questions my heart’s answer is, Yes, thank the Lord! Yea and Amen! I am convinced that the funds devoted to this work have been used carefully and wisely, and that the results are commendable and encouraging.

According to agreement, the $13,000 will be used as follows:—

1. For the work in Virginia and Maryland, five per cent, or $650. This is certainly a small sum in comparison with the work to be done.

2. For the work in Texas, Arkansas, and Oklahoma, twenty per cent, or $2,600.

3. For use in the Southern Union Conference, seventy-five per cent, or $9,750.

Of the $9,750 going to the many lines of work in the Southern Union Conference, $274.20 was appropriated to the Huntsville Orphanage; and the $9,475.80 will finally be distributed as follows:—

To the Huntsville School, forty per cent, or $3,770.32. In the operation of the school, it is found that by strictest industry and severe economy, the products of the farm and the small tuitions will pay the expense of residence and board of students, leaving the salaries of teachers ($2,400 a year) and all improvements to be provided for otherwise.

If we make our gifts a little larger than last year, the school can live, and grow, sending forth a corps of much-needed workers into the Lord’s harvest. Our colored brethren are aroused to the fact that time is precious, because it is short. They see that the harvest is great, and the laborers are few.

The portion going to the Southern Missionary Society is $2,842.74,—a small fund when viewed in the light of the vastness and the urgency of the work crying for assistance.

Six of the most needy conferences each will receive about $473.79. This enables them to keep one or more laborers constantly at work among the many thousands of colored people in each State. The results of such work are seen in the conversion of many souls.

Shall we do less than last year? Let the answer of October 6 be, No, no! We will increase our gifts and enlarge the work. W. C. WHITE.