OHIO'S BRAVE WORK FOR MOUNT VERNON ACADEMY
By P. T. Magan
Our academy at Mount Vernon, Ohio, is burdened with a heavy debt. The obligations against this institution aggregate seventeen thousand dollars. The Ohio Conference is not a large one, and the only territory tributary to the academy is the State of Ohio itself. The Conference Committee feel that it will take united effort and much energy to pay off this large amount; but they have faith in God, and have set their faces firmly and courageously to the task, believing that the Lord will assist them, and give them favor in the sight of their brethren and the world. Not long ago a meeting was held at Springfield, Ohio, at which it was decided to begin immediately an active campaign in the churches. Several of the brethren in the ministry started out at once to visit the churches in the interests of this work. At the Mount Vernon meeting the question arose as to the terms upon which the book, “Christ’s Object Lessons,” should be sent out to the brethren and sisters in the churches. It was decided that in this matter there must not be anything that would have the semblance of simply transferring the debt from the academy to the tract society. It was agreed that all books must be paid for in advance. Where the brethren are too poor to do this, the ministers are planning to get wealthier brethren to become responsible for the books until the poorer ones can pay for them. This is a plan born of Heaven. It will cause the burdens to be distributed among the wealthier brethren in the Conference, which otherwise would have to be borne by the tract society, or which, if they were not borne by the tract society, would prevent a number of consecrated persons from joining in the work of freeing the academy from its debts. Beginning Friday, November 30, a district meeting was held in the city of Springfield. Elder A. G. Haughey, the president of the Conference, was present. There were also in attendance two district directors, besides several of the ordained ministers and ten Bible workers. The time was taken up, chiefly, with Sabbath-school work and the work relative to the selling of “Christ’s Object Lessons.” From the first, a tender spirit prevailed in the meeting. Some of those in charge of the work had had fears that the Conference laborers might not feel that they could take hold of the selling of “Christ’s Object Lessons;” but almost all, if not indeed all, the Bible workers arose to testify that they saw the hand of God in this movement, and expressed their determination to engage in the work with energy and consecrated zeal. Extensive plans were laid for carrying on a campaign through the winter. The Testimonies of the Spirit of Prophecy bearing on the matter of paying off the school debts were read, and were greatly appreciated by all present. A call was made for help for the big fund for the RELIEF OF THE SCHOOLS, and three hundred and three dollars was subscribed in cash and pledges. It was at an evening meeting that I presented this matter. I first asked if there was any one present who felt that he could give one hundred dollars to this fund. Several told me afterward that they were almost staggered when I asked for so much, as they thought there was not one in the room who could possibly afford to give that amount; but a young colored girl, whose whole appearance showed that she was not a stranger to economy and self-denial, arose and said that she would give one hundred dollars. A holy hush came over the room as she made her vow to the Lord. I have since learned that this sister works hard as a janitress in a school building, and I can not help thinking that if those whom God has blessed with an abundance would only be as liberal in proportion as are the poorer ones among us, it would not be long before all our denominational debts would be paid. Following are the names of those who made cash contributions at the meeting for the RELIEF OF THE SCHOOLS:—
Elder J. G. Wood....................................$ 5 00
W. W. Miller........................................ 1 00
Anna E. Smith....................................... 10 00
Phoebe Click........................................ 1 00
Mrs. E. W. Horner................................... 1 00
E. R. Hunster....................................... 1 00
Belle Orr............................................ 1 00
Miss S. M. Haughey.................................. 2 00
Gifts................................................ 2 00 Following are the names of those who made pledges for the same purpose—the big fund for material:—
J. G. Wood..........................................$ 25 00
A. E. Miller......................................... 5 00
Chas. A. Smith...................................... 10 00
Chas. J. Gearhardt................................... 1 00
B. H. Rannells...................................... 25 00
C. S. Zebold......................................... 1 00
Nellie M. Stevens.................................... 5 00
M. C. Huffaker....................................... 5 00
Margaret Weakley....................................100 00
Mrs. E. J. Miller..................................... 5 00
Bessie E. Russell.................................... 6 50
Bertha Gatton........................................ 10 00
Jessie B. Sweet....................................... 5 00
Mrs. E. E. Remsberg.................................. 10 00
Mrs. Nettie E. Graves................................ 5 00
O. F. Guilford....................................... 10 00
Elder R. R. Kennedy.................................. 50 00
Ida M. Walters........................................ 5 00