THE CAUSE IN KANSAS by Smith Sharp

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 21, 1882

THE CAUSE IN KANSAS.

By Smith Sharp

Every lover of present truth must feel thankful that the reports from Kansas for the past few months have shown that a large number have embraced the third angel's message. In almost every instance where a new field has been entered during the past winter, quite a number have embraced the truth. This is indeed encouraging. And there are more calls at present than twice the number of ministers we have can fill. This will inspire those that are just entering the work in this State to go forward; but it will also call for faithfulness on the part of those whose privilege it is to remain at home, and whose duty it is to bestow of their means to help carry forward the work.

The Conference funds are lower than they have been at this season of the year for many years. I can see no good reason why this is so. The crops have been reasonably fair, and our numbers are greater than they have ever been before. I am sure some are not doing their duty in this respect. If every one would faithfully pay the tithe, there would be no lack of means.

It is but one month more, until the time for our last quarterly meeting before the camp-meeting, and unless our brethren come up at the April quarterly meeting better than they have for the past two quarters, there will not be means in the treasury to settle with those that have given their time and strength to this work during the past season. This would be a shame in a Conference where there are more than a thousand members and less than a dozen ministers to support, especially when so many new ones have been brought to talk into the truth. Perhaps there are quite a number that are calculating to pay up this quarter all that they have failed to pay thus far during the year; if all will do this, there will be no lack of funds. Let the matter be inquired into at the church quarterly meeting in April, and let our ministers that visit churches between this and camp-meeting inquire into it, and urge our brethren to faithfulness, and there are numbers of scattered brethren that should remember that they have a duty in this respect.

In quite a number of places our brethren are contemplating building meeting-houses, and have asked to be permitted to retain their tithe for this purpose. This could not be done without a vote of the Conference; and, in the present condition of our finances, I do not see how it could be allowed.

Then our tract and missionary society, which has been struggling under a heavy debt for years, is still embarrassed, and the receipts for the last quarter do not indicate that we can now hope that the debt will be canceled at the close of the Conference year, and yet it might be. We have repeatedly given assurance that if we once get out of debt we will keep out. We have pledges enough to pay off everything and leave a good supply in our State depository; and letters have lately been sent out by the secretary to each individual who has pledged and not paid, requesting an immediate response. I hope these will be heeded, and where the circumstances are such that the pledges can be paid without making unreasonable sacrifices, that it will be done before the annual meeting of the society in May. Those should not pay who cannot do so without leaving their families in a suffering condition; but I believe all should make a sacrifice, when it is necessary to do it, to meet their pledges. Vow and pay is a command.

I am greatly concerned about the tent and camp-meeting fund. I am corresponding with different parties concerning the purchase of a tent. I have figures, and must soon make the order, but where is the money to pay for it? It is nearly three weeks since my article, “Tent and Camp-meeting Fund,” appeared in the REVIEW, and as yet only five dollars have been received at this office for this enterprise. Perhaps the brethren do not want a new tent, and feel satisfied to have our camp-meeting convene under our old worn-out tent. Your response to this during the next thirty days will answer this question. I would make the order within ten days, if the funds would justify it; but our brethren are opposed to going in debt, and so am I.

Our family tents are not as good as those in other States that I have visited. I can procure tents for any that want them, and have them on the ground at Burlingame at the following figures:—


10x12, 8 oz. top, wall 4 ft. high,	$10.00.
12x12, “ “ “ “ “ “	14.00.
12x14, “ “ “ “ “ “	18.00.

The freight, which will be a small item, will be added. Any that wish me to order for them can address me here, and pay me for the tent at the camp-meeting.

I sincerely hope that our brethren and sisters will not allow any of these enterprises to fail for want of means. Bro. A. G. Miller, Topeka, Kan., is Conference treasurer, and sister Nannie J. Kilgore, Ottawa, Kan., is T. and M. treasurer.

Ottawa, Kan., March 9. SMITH SHARP.