F. D. STARR by F. D. Starr

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D.C. · Jan 21, 1904

F. D. STARR

By F. D. Starr

By an Equality

F. D. STARR

Perhaps a little of my experience in the matter of the transferring of stock in the Review and Herald Office from the old organization to the new, may be of interest to some who are also concerned in this business.

When asked, last summer, to transfer my stock, it seemed to me that it was out of proportion for me to hold as many shares as I did, while many others held so few, that it would be proper for me to withdraw a part of my threescore and ten shares, and invest the money elsewhere. A scripture found in 2 Cor. 8: 14—“By an equality”—helped my mind very much in this matter; and I decided that to equalize the thing, I would draw out a large share of what I had actually paid in from twenty to thirty and more years ago. I had no thought of touching the increase that had accrued, however, as that had cost me nothing. I thought I could make a good use of it for myself. I felt quite happy over my decision, but it was a suspicious sort of happiness that seemed to be something new to me, and I was a little afraid of it; then, too, I did not exactly like the idea of withdrawing the money when I remembered how much pleasure and the blessing of God I had received in pledging and paying the same. But I decided that I would take it out of the Review and Herald, and invest it in some of our other institutions. But matters began to assume what seemed to me a threatening aspect, reminding me of the experience of Moses when death was about to befall him on account of neglected duty, as recorded in Ex. 4: 24. This text was forcibly impressed upon my mind from day to day: “Ye have made the heart of the righteous sad, whom I have not made sad” (Eze. 13: 22), and I thought of our brethren in responsible positions at Washington and elsewhere who were saddened by the delay manifested by such as I, who were tardy about sending in their transfer of stock in God’s great instrumentality for carrying on his work in the earth. I forthwith signed the document for the transfer of my entire stock, and sent it in, thereby bringing my mind rest and peace, and happiness that was not of the suspicious kind.

It is gratifying to know that so many have been prompt in transferring their stock, but if there are any who are still delaying, and thinking to draw out their money to use for themselves, may they stop and think twice before they do it; and if thinking about taking it out to put into some other branch of the cause, think at least once, and think seriously, too. Let us help other branches of the cause, but let us not draw from this one in order to do so. Shall not the mother institution that has assisted so many other enterprises in this work be sustained in this critical time, especially after the great misfortune of one year ago? This is not intended as a plea for the mother association, as though, like an aged pauper, she had been sent “over the hill to the poorhouse.” By no means. Neither, on the other hand, has she entered the capital of the nation to share, like the ambitious church of former times, the throne of civil power. No, but the God who located Moses by the side of the throne of Egypt, who sent Joseph and Daniel to the inner circle of kingly courts, and brought John the Baptist into intimate association with King Herod, designs that his work shall have like advantage to make itself widely known to-day. Shall we not all show a deep and tangible interest in this matter? I still believe in, and plead for, Scriptural equality, but this equality is not to be brought about by our having less investment in the publishing work, but by scores and hundreds making new and larger investments.

Do we not believe by this time that the hand that is so often stretched out to heal and save, is likewise betimes stretched out to punish? What Bible reader can doubt it? Pharaoh of old had to be reminded of this ten times over in a very severe manner, and then he was not permanently convinced. Let us learn more easily. I believe I have looked at this matter, in my experience, from both sides, and I feel concerned for any who may do what I felt so strongly inclined to do. Thank God for setting us right in this thing.