W. C. HANKINS by W. C. Hankins

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 30, 1906

W. C. HANKINS

By W. C. Hankins

China

AMOY.—The outlook for the present year is bright, in spite of the troublous times. The enemy of souls is seeking to create as much disturbance as possible in China, but God's cause is sure to triumph.

When we were preparing the candidates for baptism, we gave them a lesson on tithing. During the lesson Elder Keh made a few remarks, which I thought so good that I will pass on what I can remember of them. He said, in part:—

“The Lord does not want us to look upon the paying of tithes as a duty which we must perform in order to be saved, and which we would avoid, if we could. He does not need our money, for he is rich, and has need of nothing. But he had a good reason for instituting the plan of the tithes and offerings, and that reason was that he desired us to receive a great blessing. He knew that if we put all our money into the things of this earth, our hearts would be fixed upon this world, and that we would be in great danger of losing a part in the world to come. So the Lord instituted a plan whereby we could lay up treasure in heaven; for he knew that where our treasure is, there will our hearts be also.”

If our brethren in America would be as faithful in tithes and offerings as are these native Christians, there would be no lack of funds in the Lord's treasury

for carrying forward this work. How little our people realize what they miss when they use for their own selfish purposes money that belongs to God! If our people desire a revival and a baptism of the Holy Spirit, they will get both when they lay aside their selfishness, and begin laying up treasure in heaven.

One of our sisters recently removed to To Kang, where there is no Sabbath-school. Before she left, she deposited with Elder Keh a string of one thousand cash, to be used in making Sabbath-school donations for her. This woman's husband gets a salary of $7.50 a month, and they have a family of five children, and yet he willingly pays his tithe, and offers his donations to the Lord. A thousand cash is not a large sum of money, but it meant more to her than a thousand cents would to most of our brethren in America, and more than a thousand dollars would to many; for, like the widow in Scripture, she gave her all.