Appeal for the $150,000 Fund
IN a recent number of the Pacific Union Recorder, Elder W. T. Knox, president of the California Conference, speaks of April 13 as the time chosen for taking a general collection in all the churches in that conference to apply on the $150,000 fund. He also quotes the following from a paper read at the recent Conference held at San Jose:— It will never do for us to grow weary in giving to the cause of God, nor to turn a deaf ear to the appeals that come to us. It seems that these appeals for financial aid are multiplying. They come to us more and more frequently; and if there is to be a successful issue to this cause in which we have enlisted, we may expect that the demands upon our liberality will continue to increase until the work is closed. But as we look back over our experiences of the past, where can we find that our previous liberalities to the Lord have ever brought us impoverishment? Or who would now, if it were possible, withdraw any of the deposits we have made in the “bank of heaven”? Our service to God calls for self-denial and sacrifice. How few know what real self-denial and sacrifice are! “We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.” “For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.” The world to-day is enjoying unprecedented prosperity. It is doubtful if there has ever been a period of such general prosperity as we are now witnessing. In view of this, should not our people everywhere be saying to those whom they have placed in responsible positions: “Now is the time for you to place every enterprise of this cause on vantage-ground as far as money will enable you to do so”? It does seem as if self-interest, not to mention our love for the truth, would cause us now to strengthen our positions and greatly advance our outposts. This, however, can be accomplished only when the people of God themselves, with their all, are wholly consecrated to him. To our leaders belongs the responsibility of planning for this world-wide campaign, but to us belongs the privilege of supplying the sinews of war and the strengthening of their hands by substantial encouragement and sympathy.