TO THE CHURCHES IN WISCONSIN.
By O. A. OLSEN
“Bring all your tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house.” Mal. 3:10.
As another Conference year is nearing its close it would be well for all churches to look after their accounts and know how they stand on their S. B. books. While there are many who are very punctual in carrying out the plan of Systematic Benevolence, I am sorry to say that there are others who are very slack. Now, brethren, if you had made a promise, or signed a note, you would not think it right to let the time specified pass by in indifference. You would bear in mind the time the money was due, and would do your utmost to secure the necessary means to pay your debt; for if you should neglect it, it might cause you trouble. But when we come to pay our vows to God, there is often a great indifference manifested. The time arrives when the pledge for the quarter becomes due. We hear the notice given, and the means may be at our command. But instead of paying up we think it is no matter if we do not pay just now. We like to keep the money on hand, thinking there is time enough yet, and we will pay sometime before the year is out; or perhaps the money is not just at hand; and as there is plenty of time yet, no effort is made to secure it. So the first quarter passes. The second quarter arrives, and no more concern is manifested than during the first one. The third quarter comes, and still nothing has been paid on the pledge, neither is there any special burden in the matter. By-and-by the Conference is to meet, when a portion of the Lord's means is wanted to carry on his work, or the cause must suffer on account of the negligence of its professed lovers. Dear brethren, your pledges have amounted to quite a sum, and what are now your circumstances? You are probably somewhat concerned about your promise to the Lord, and will make an effort to pay your pledge. But it often happens, with your best efforts, that you cannot secure more than one-half or perhaps only a quarter of the amount you have promised the Lord for the year. This is sad, but the Lord is robbed at least of the use of the money. The Conference meets to consider the wants of the cause. They see a great work and a large field open before them; but what can they do? Their hands are crippled—the treasury of the Lord is empty. Why? Because his people have neglected to bring their tithes into his storehouse. But it does not stop here. The blessing of the Lord is withheld from his people because of their great neglect, and discouragement settles upon them. In a little while they are almost ready to give up their hope. Dear brethren, I do not desire to follow this description any farther, but would invite you to seriously consider this matter. The subject has been clearly set before us time and again, and our duty in reference to it pointed out. Now let us take hold of this matter at once. Have we been neglectful, let us make haste to amend our ways. I would request all the churches of the Wisconsin Conference to look into this matter immediately. Elders, are you doing your duty? Examine the treasurer's book, and learn how the account stands, and set the matter properly before the church. Treasurers, are you doing your duty? Have you properly notified the churches when their pledges were due and called upon them for the same? Have you been faithful to give a quarterly report of the condition of the treasury? This should not be neglected. We invite you, one and all, to look to this matter at once; and if you have neglected to meet the payment of your pledges up to this time, put it off no longer. Go to work and make arrangements to square up your account with the Lord. And when the next Conference meets, shall we not find that every church has met its pledges and balanced its account on the State secretary's book? Send your money to the treasurer, Wm. Kerr, Monroe, Green Co., Wis., by draft or P. O. Order, and report to the secretary, A. S. Osborn, Bloomington, Grant Co., Wis. “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.” Fish Creek, March 16, 1876.