Our Financial Resources
By W. T. Bland
IN reply to frequent inquiries received as to whether the General Conference will accept loans or deposits of money, perhaps a brief statement will be of interest to all our people. In our general offices we maintain three distinct organizations: the General Conference, the Mission Board, and the General Conference Association. The General Conference and Mission Board officers and committees assist in the21work of the various State and union conferences, in establishing missions in various parts of the world, and in fully supporting their needs until they are placed on a self-supporting basis. The General Conference is aided in carrying forward its work by the gifts and tithes it receives from our people in America. The Mission Board carries forward its work by means of special donations and the weekly offerings received from our people throughout the world. Thus the amount of work undertaken and carried forward in the conferences at home and in the great mission fields throughout the world depends entirely upon the liberality of our people in gifts and offerings, and in their faithfulness in paying tithes. Neither of these organizations borrow money or accept deposits which they must sometime pay back, but their whole effort is given to the forwarding of the gospel, sending missionaries to their various fields, supporting them in their work, and the printing and circulation of literature. In this work every Seventh-day Adventist has a personal interest, and our boards greatly appreciate every donation or payment of tithes received, and endeavor to acknowledge all such with a personal letter. The General Conference Association is the legal organization of the denomination. It is incorporated to hold property, both personal and real. It receives not only donations, but wills, legacies, and deeds to property from those who desire to have their money or property used in carrying forward the gospel message of truth. In the past all our institutions that were not stock companies were built and held by the Association. It was then that debts were incurred, for which money was borrowed. This money has all been loaned to the cause by our people. Many have placed it at long time without interest, some expecting never to withdraw it. Others have felt the need of a small interest, many asking only one per cent, others two, three, or four, as they felt able or could afford. Some have never called for their interest, while others have given it back as a donation. The trustees greatly appreciate the liberality of our people in thus placing their money where it can be used in the cause of God. A careful record is kept of every note given, and of every payment made, whether of interest or principal. All notes are signed by the president and secretary or treasurer of the Association. It has always been the policy of the Association to hold sufficient property to make secure all money borrowed, and to pay every note when due if called for. While the majority do not call for their money, either letting it remain or taking out new notes with reduced interest, others find it necessary to withdraw part or all as it comes due, and those in charge of the office are always glad to make prompt response. The Association has never been sued, nor has its note ever gone to protest, although a few years ago it passed through some most critical times. By the exercise of caution it is believed that these experiences will not have to be passed through again. Now that the headquarters of the denomination have been established in this important place, the most important in the whole country to-day, it is earnestly hoped that there will be a ready response with means with which to push this great work as never before. Every gift, be it large or small, is most gratefully received, and is at once sent upon its mission of warning the world, and of rescuing those who must perish without it. We shall also be glad to correspond at any time with those who wish to deposit or loan at a low rate of interest to the General Conference Association and to meet notes falling due from time to time. The undersigned will take pleasure in personally corresponding with any who may be willing to aid in this great work. W. T. BLAND,
Assistant Treasurer,
222 N. Capitol St., Washington, D. C.