Sabbath-School Contributions.
By Editor
This subject has received considerable attention during the past few months, and the feeling seems to prevail that we have adopted the right plan in donating a part of our class contributions, every quarter, to some missionary enterprise. We feel thankful for the hearty responses to our call in behalf of the Australian Mission. Some feared that there would be a reaction, and that the contributions the next quarter would be less than ever before. But from reports received thus far, this fear seems to be unfounded. We find that in most schools the contributions largely exceed those of any previous quarter, excepting the one when the contributions all went to the Australian Mission. Having adopted this plan, the question now arises: To what object shall we donate a part of our contributions the present quarter, beginning with July? In conversation with the president of the General Sabbath-school Association, we find that our brethren are entering new fields where there are no Conferences, and are holding Bible-readings, etc., and that people are becoming interested in the truth. In many cases a Sabbath-school or a Sunday-school could be started to good advantage if they only had the necessary supplies. The same work is being carried on in the Old Country, and they need assistance there. At present there is no fund from which to draw, and the work is likely to suffer. In view of this, and after carefully considering the matter, the Executive Committee of the California Sabbath-school Association would recommend that all the schools in this Conference donate a part, or all, of their class contributions for the coming quarter to the General Sabbath-school Association, to be used in establishing schools in mission fields. We want each school to act on this, and decide for itself what part of the contributions shall be used in this way. Some may feel that they cannot give more than a tithe, some may give a quarter or one-half, and others may wish to donate all they receive. The Oakland school has decided to donate one-half of the class contributions for the coming quarter to this enterprise. Now let us not lose sight of the object in giving. It is not merely to help these different enterprises, but, if rightly used, it may be the means of teaching our children valuable lessons of sacrifice and benevolence. We know that by helping others we help ourselves. The matter should be carefully explained to the children, pointing out the object and the necessity of accompanying our donations with our prayers. How many of our children who donated to the Australian Mission, know where Australia is; to what nation it belongs, what its peculiarities are in climate, soil, etc., and what the prevailing religion is? Parents, have you taken the time (we will not say trouble) to explain these things to your children? Have you taken the map and pointed out this country to them? Have you told them that this is the place to which our missionaries have gone? Have you spoken of the sacrifice these persons have made, and the object they had in view in leaving kindred and friends and going to this distant land? Was it to satisfy worldly ambition or to accumulate property? If not, where do they look for their reward? Here is a field open before us, and we should not neglect the privilege of impressing these things upon the minds of our children, and thus turning their attention from the vanities of this world to matters of eternal interest. And now, during the coming quarter, as we give of our means for the establishment of schools in mission fields, let us remember the work and the workers, and pray continually that God may bless their efforts, and bring many to a knowledge of the truth. Send all contributions, at the close of the quarter, to Miss Josie L. Cochran, Pacific Press, Oakland, Cal.
C. H. JONES,
E. J. WAGGONER,
C. C. RAMSEY,
Ex. Com. Cal. S. S. Association.