The Last Call for Help for Our Institutions in California
By G. A. Irwin
IN the two preceding issues of the REVIEW AND HERALD, appeals have been made in behalf of our work on the Pacific Coast, which has suffered loss as a result of the recent earthquake. Brother Palmer’s appeal set the matter out in a very clear and concise way, and Elder Daniells has also called attention to the needs in a forcible manner. And now that the time is drawing near for the collection, we make this, our last appeal. We believe that it is one of the principles of the gospel to help one another in times of special disaster and calamity. We may profitably call to mind the incident recorded in the eleventh chapter of Acts, of the prophecy of Agabus in reference to the dearth which came to pass in the days of Claudius Cæsar, and the record shows that “then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judea: which also they did.” No doubt these selfsame disciples had many places where they could have used their money to good advantage instead of sending it to Judea to help the people who suffered from the dearth; but7their hearts were touched by the need of those who were in the dearth-stricken district. There are doubtless many calls that come to us in our home churches for means to advance the work in our own immediate locality; but in this disaster in California there is a special need. The brethren are in no way responsible for the loss that came to them so unexpectedly, and they find themselves at present powerless to repair the damage. Our brethren are not calling for our donations to restore to them personal losses, which, in many instances, were quite heavy; the appeal is in behalf of the work and cause of God, and it should meet with a prompt and liberal response. Gratitude for the sparing mercy of our Heavenly Father over us and our property should prompt us to be liberal in our gifts in response to this appeal. The promptness with which private individuals, and cities, and our own government has responded to the need of San Francisco, is astonishing to the world, and should be an object-lesson to us. Disaster to the Lord’s work and institutions should certainly be met as promptly by us as the people of the world meet the needs of their suffering fellow beings. In a private letter received two or three days ago from one of our isolated sisters, there was enclosed a check for two hundred dollars, to be applied on this donation. We of course do not expect that very many of our people can give so generously as this, and yet there may be some who can give even more. But do not fail to give because you can not contribute a large sum. If all would give as the disciples did,—“according to his ability,”—it would make a handsome sum when it is all put together. We trust that the elders of the churches will see that this matter is properly presented before their companies. And may the Lord bless not only the donors, but the institutions that are to be the recipients of the gift.