A Personal Letter by E. A. Sutherland

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 3, 1901

A Personal Letter.

By E. A. Sutherland

DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: If such a thing were practicable, I should like to write a personal letter to each reader of the REVIEW, telling of the urgent requests which are made by young people who desire an education, but who lack the necessary means. Case after case could be mentioned. There is talent and ability, but the school is unable to carry a greater burden than is now laid upon it, and we are obliged to turn a deaf ear to these requests for entrance.

It seems to me that the situation becomes more trying each year. Once it was hard for students, even after taking a course in one of our colleges, to find positions in the cause; but the situation is now different. There are constant demands for teachers, canvassers, and business men. The Foreign Mission Board is pleading for laborers. The Lord has spoken, telling us that ministers should not remain with the churches, but should go out into new fields. This means that younger talent, men of less experience, must work at home, and in this way gain a preparation for future labor in foreign fields.

The church schools—that movement from above for the salvation of our children—should have strong teachers. I wish with all my soul that we could see five hundred new workers prepared to teach next fall. It would cause a sudden awakening all along the line if this could be done. For its accomplishment we must now plan.

There are in our churches men who have means, and who desire that means to be used where it will accomplish the most good. The persons who need assistance are unknown to those who have this means. Is there no way to bring these people together, or at any rate direct the attention of the one to the other?

One church in Indiana has selected a young man of ability, and the members pledge monthly payments on his school expenses. Another church in Ontario arranged to raise fifty dollars toward giving a young minister a year's training in the college. A brother in Michigan has a sum of money deposited at the college, which he increases by occasional donations. This money is loaned to students, and returned after they become wage-earners.

I know of men who have children who should be in school, but the children do not care to take a Christian training. Would it not be pleasing to the Lord if such parents would invest means in helping other young persons to obtain an education?

I have mentioned a variety of circumstances; perhaps you are acquainted with others. For the sake of the young people, for the love of the cause, I am going to ask men who have means which they would willingly expend in helping worthy young people, to correspond with me, and I will promise to do my part in seeing that this is loaned to worthy persons.

With a prayer that the Spirit of God may move upon hearts to respond, I am,

Most sincerely yours,

E. A. SUTHERLAND.