An Explanation by Stephen Nelson Haskell

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, Cal. · Aug 9, 1883

An Explanation.

By Stephen Nelson Haskell

By Eld. S. N. Haskell.

It may be interesting to our friends who so liberally donated to remove the debt existing upon the San Francisco and Oakland meeting-houses, to know how the matter stands, and also to learn whether these churches appreciated the help bestowed, and have been faithful to contribute their tithes to the California Conference.

It is well understood that all the money paid into the Conference fund, either by donation or as tithes, is used exclusively for the support of the ministry, and the expenses connected therewith. When the meeting-houses in San Francisco and Oakland were erected, the cause in the State was comparatively feeble, and it was thought advisable, as our brethren were poor and these cities a missionary ground, to give all they could raise to pay the interest on money borrowed, and the running expenses of the meeting-houses. Those working in the Office at Oakland donated liberally of their wages. In fact nearly all sacrificed, to a large extent, their income, and were obliged to do this in order to retain the houses of worship.

It was in the year 1881, at the Sacramento camp-meeting, when the prospect that the number of laborers in the State would be increased, and the tithes of these churches would be needed to support ministers, that the brethren proposed to lift the debt on the meeting-houses. Previous to this time the Oakland Church had decided that whatever might be the consequences, they would venture to put all their tithes, which amounted to $2,000 a year, into the Conference.

It was supposed at that time, without making particular inquiry, that $10,000 would liquidate the entire indebtedness of these two houses, but it has since been ascertained that $12,000 would be required. It was presented to our brethren that $10,000 would be sufficient to remove the indebtedness. Without any knowledge on the part of these churches, thirty-seven of the friends of the cause in the State pledged $10,000, one half to be paid in 1882 and the other at the fall camp-meeting of 1883.

In looking over the various pledges we find that seventeen of those that pledged did pay their entire pledges in 1882, to the amount of $2,830; thirteen paid a portion of their pledges, to the amount of $3,050; seven have paid nothing on the pledges; six who did not pledge have paid $102.50; thus making the entire amount received $5,982.50. There are therefore over $4,000 in pledges yet unpaid. The mortgage upon the Oakland church has already been due to the Bank of Savings, but they have kindly consented to let it remain until the time of camp-meeting. The mortgage is $3,000. It will therefore be necessary that our brethren who have pledged to this enterprise make a payment, if possibly consistent, about the time of camp-meeting. We believe that this move was in a right direction.

We cannot state exactly what the tithes of these churches have been during the past year, but during the past six months the tithes in the Oakland Church have been over $1,700; and if in the six months to come they receive as much as the past six months, it will amount to not less than $3,500 during 1883. Thus it will be seen that these churches have appreciated the aid the brethren have given them, and the tithe instead of diminishing has increased during the past two years $1,500 in this church alone since they paid it exclusively to the Conference. The cause never could have advanced as it has during the past few years without the aid of the tithe from these two churches.

Any one wishing to aid in removing the balance of the indebtedness on these churches, which is about $2,000, can be assured that it will be appreciated at this important time. The expense for janitor, gas, etc., for the Oakland church is about $300 more than is received from rents on the church. These facts will give the friends of the cause in California an idea of how this matter stands. When they built the sanctuary in the wilderness and when Solomon built the temple, also when it was repaired by Josiah, the tithe was not used for that purpose, but there was great liberality, even to bringing precious stones which were in the hands of the children of Israel.