ONTARIO by J. F. Ballenger

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Michigan · Apr 3, 1900

ONTARIO

By J. F. Ballenger

Previously to the organization of the Ontario Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, the Michigan Conference carried, to a large extent, the financial burden of the work in this field. At the time of the organization, the Michigan brethren kindly offered to continue their assistance by a stipulated sum for a limited time. When this financial aid is exhausted, we shall be thrown on our own resources; and if the brethren do not contribute liberally, the work in this fruitful field must necessarily be crippled.

We have but a small corps of laborers, though large in proportion to our membership; and as but a small part of the province has yet been entered, we can hardly think that the friends of present truth will suffer our already small force to be diminished. This need not be if our brethren will bring all the tithes into the storehouse, not robbing the Lord by withholding that which justly belongs to him. If our brethren and sisters who have money would make offerings to our Conference treasury, it would help to carry on the work until our numerical strength is increased.

It seems hardly necessary to call the attention of our people to the fact that passing events show with tremendous significance that we have but a short time in which to use for the saving of souls the money committed to our trust. How important, then, that we make a right use of what the Lord has given us! Many will mourn and lament when they see their earthly wealth, on which they have set their affections, consumed in the fires of the last day. Can we bear the thought of having our names come up for examination before the Judge, when we know that we have withheld the Lord's tithes and offerings, and that souls have been left to perish for lack of money to send them the light? I should be glad if I could think this does not apply to any of our people, but I am sorry to say that I know persons who receive wages, but do not pay tithes. Come, brethren and sisters, let us lay up our treasure in heaven. We can do this by using our money in carrying forward the last warning message. Let all who have neglected to pay an honest tithe remember that we have but a little time left to make up arrears. To-day, if we hear his voice, let us not harden our hearts, nor close our eyes, to the light God has given his people on the question of tithes and offerings.

All Conference money should be forwarded to T. H. Robinson, Health Food Factory, London, Ontario.

J. F. BALLENGER.