The Work With “Christ’s Object Lessons”
By Arthur G. Daniells
FROM the State conference papers we are pleased to learn that some of the conferences are taking up the sale of “Christ’s Object Lessons” this winter, with the intention of pushing on with this work until the number of books first agreed upon is sold, and the money passed on to the schools. This is right. The plan adopted for the use of this book for our schools was given to us by the Lord. It is just as good now as when it was first given. The blessings of the plan are not all in the financial help rendered to the schools. Thousands of our people who have worked most earnestly to carry out the plan, tell of personal, spiritual blessings that have come to them. Many tell of the blessings that they have received in reading the book. Churches tell of new life that has come to them, making better meetings, and a larger and better Sabbath-school. Our schools tell of the blessing that has come to them, in the decrease of from one half to two thirds of their indebtedness. All these blessings have come as a result of co-operation with the Lord in carrying out this plan. Will they continue to come just as long as we continue to work with the Lord in carrying out this plan?—Most assuredly. Then we have just as much to encourage and stir us to earnest service in the sale of “Christ’s Object Lessons” as we have ever had. Let us review this plan, recount the blessings of the past, consider the value of this service, and take hold of the work with fresh zeal and energy. Some may feel a little troubled about going over the ground that has been worked with “Christ’s Object Lessons.” We should not let this deter us from earnest work. In the first place, some who thought they could not spare the money for the book then, may feel able to do so now. Others who were not then interested may be eager to purchase now, from what they have heard about the book. And you may meet many who were missed by those who went over the territory ahead of you. Furthermore, we have a plan that will help all to recanvass the whole territory. During the last few months a beautiful work by Sister White, entitled “Education,” has been brought from the press. This is an excellent companion for “Christ’s Object Lessons.” The price is $1.25. It can be carried along with7“Christ’s Object Lessons,” and where the latter has been sold, “Education” may be offered. Many who have read “Christ’s Object Lessons” will be glad to get a work on education from the same author. The book “Education” will be sold on a different plan. It can be obtained at a fair discount. The profits from its sale will help to pay the expenses incurred in working with both books. The use of “Education” in the campaign for “Christ’s Object Lessons” should help to make this work new, and fresh, and stimulating. During the recent council of the General Conference Committee in Washington, the plans for pushing the sale of “Christ’s Object Lessons” in the future were given careful study. After a thorough canvass of the subject, the following recommendation was passed:— Voted, That we recommend that the union and State conferences take up and push to a finish the coming winter, beginning November 21 and 22, the sale of “Christ’s Object Lessons,” accompanied by the book, “Education.” Up to the present, the General Conference, through the Relief of the Schools Committee, or its secretary, has taken the initiative in pushing this work throughout the United States. But in the council referred to above, it was thought that the responsibility and burden of this work should now be transferred, in a very large measure, to the union conferences, and especially to the organizations operating in the territory of the various schools. For instance: the Atlantic Union Conference, which constitutes the district of South Lancaster Academy, should take the burden of pushing this work in its territory. And the State of Ohio, which comprises the territory of Mt. Vernon Academy, should be responsible for the sale of the book in that conference. As this recommendation was discussed at the council, all agreed that better results would be secured by placing the burden of this work upon the various local organizations and institutions interested than by leaving the main responsibility with the Relief of the Schools Committee. It was thought that the committee could render helpful service by working with the local officers, but its work and responsibilities would now be light compared with the past. The principal work to be done now is to sell the book. But few conferences have sold their entire quota. Some have a large number of books on hand. This work should now be taken up and pushed energetically, until we can say it is finished. The following-named persons were appointed members of the Relief of the Schools Committee at the Washington Council: W. C. White (Chairman), P. T. Magan (Secretary), W. T. Bland, F. Griggs, L. A. Hoopes, C. C. Lewis. Brother Magan has informed the officers of the General Conference Committee that, owing to his many other duties, he can not act as secretary. For the present the officers have requested Elder J. S. Washburn to act as secretary. Brother Washburn has consented to do so, and will now take up correspondence with officers of various organizations and institutions. He will be glad to render every assistance possible to help any of our conferences in this good work. His address is 222 North Capitol St., Washington, D. C. Now that the burden of this work falls more heavily than ever upon the organizations in the various school districts, let us pray for the leaders in those districts. We believe a good work will be done.