TO THE BRETHREN IN MAINE.
By J. B. Goodrich
I wish to say a few words to the brethren and sisters in Maine concerning the financial standing of our Conference. Two years ago, we were $200 in debt; one year ago we were $100 behind, and what we want this fall is to free our Conference from financial embarrassment. Shall we do it? We appeal to our churches, and to our scattered brethren and sisters in Maine, to act according to the plain teachings of the Bible. The tithing principle is clearly taught in the Scriptures, in the New Testament as well as in the Old. Gen. 14:20; Heb. 7:2. We read in Prov. 3:9: “Honor the Lord with thy substance, and with the first-fruits of all thine increase.” Then it is dishonoring God to withhold the first-fruits, and to leave his cause to suffer by our unfaithfulness. The trouble is, this world is getting a stronger hold on many of us than the “commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.” The Great Teacher in Israel indorsed the tithing system. He said, “Woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue, and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God; these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.” Luke 11:42. In conclusion, read Mal. 3:10, and act upon it. The Lord speaks, and there is no discount on his words: “Bring ye all the tithes into the store-house, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.” Let all send in their tithes to the State treasurer, Samuel F. Grant, Hartland, Somerset Co., Maine, or bring them to the camp-meeting.
J. B. GOODRICH.