ANNUAL OFFERING FOR THE INTERNATIONAL TRACT SOCIETY.
By Geo. A. Irwin
Sabbath, October 27, is the time set apart for this offering. A brief notice has already appeared in the Review, but we wish to call further attention to the matter. These annual collections are made by recommendation of the General Conference, and are at present the only means upon which the society has to depend for prosecuting its missionary operations. The work done by the society is entirely gratuitous, hence its ability for doing good is very largely affected by the response to the appeals made in behalf of these annual offerings. The work of the society is carried on by means of tracts, pamphlets, papers, and reading-matter of various kinds. While our publishing houses furnish much literature free, and make liberal discounts on all, yet it requires considerable money to pay for that which has to be purchased. Then again, the postage on correspondence and on the matter sent out is quite considerable. There is every evidence that we are on the eve of a revival of the old-time missionary spirit, such as characterized the denomination at the time of the organization of the society. As the stirring truths of Daniel and Revelation are again brought to our attention through the Berean lesson studies, and we are brought to see that the “time is at hand,” a spirit of labor is coming with it. The work done through the woman’s society is also creating a spirit of labor among the sisters, and many are anxiously inquiring how they can give their neighbors a knowledge of the special truths for this time. It will be impossible for the living preacher to go everywhere, but papers and tracts can go where the living preacher can not; and in this way the humblest can have a part in ministering and spreading the message, even though they may not be able to leave their homes and go from house to house. “Preaching the word is one great means, and furnishing the people with reading-matter is another. The Lord has appointed that the preaching of the gospel and the press shall act in harmony.” The only way the press can bear its part, is for the brethren to take the matter as it falls from the press, and pass it on to the people. This entails not only personal service, but a demand upon our purse; so, then, let us first of all give ourselves to the Lord anew, and then give according to our power—or even beyond our power; for it will take all to buy the field. Our opportunity to carry the light to others will soon be past; for the time has come to sound the call to earth’s remotest bounds, “Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.” Those who are faithful to God now will be of the number to whom it will be said, “Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.” Then let us give of our money as well as of our time to assist in carrying the bread and water of life to those who are hungering and thirsting for it, that they may no longer be strangers, but that, being pardoned, and clothed with the garment of Christ’s righteousness, they may become “fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of faith.” May we not hope for a liberal contribution at this time?