To the Churches in Michigan.
THE experience of the past few years induces the committee of the Michigan and Indiana Conference to make a special appeal at this time to all the churches within the bounds of this Conference. Our next annual session is soon to be held. At these meetings we want to learn the exact standing of all the churches. But it has been for some time past, a growing evil, that many of the churches fail to report; and the failure of even one church to report destroys the value of the Conference report; for instead of being accurate, as it should be, and showing the exact standing of the Conference, it is then only an approximation, only an estimate, giving, it may be, somewhere near the true figures, but yet entirely and wholly unsatisfactory. This failure to report can be attributed to no other cause but heedlessness, and is a disgrace to those with whom it occurs. Those who forget to attend to some of these plain and simple duties connected with the cause of God, will probably forget to repent of some of their sins, and so find themselves at last weighed in the balances and found wanting. Blanks are prepared for the following reports which are required. No. 1 is to state the additions to the church, during the year preceding the date of the report, by letter and by baptism, and the losses by death, apostasy, and removal. Add the additions to the number at the commencement of the year, and, from the sum subtract the losses. The remainder will give the number of members at the date of the report. Then state the number of Sabbath-school scholars. This is called the “Church Report,” and may be signed by the elder, deacon, or clerk. No. 2 is to state (1) the whole number of members belonging to the church, (2) the number who pay systematic benevolence, (3) the whole amount of systematic benevolence pledged in the church, and (4) the amount pledged to the use of the Conference. This is called the Financial Report and Pledge, and is to be prepared by the clerk, or whoever is acting as clerk in the church. The pledge to the Conference is to be determined by action of the church, and wherever this is not already arranged for the coming year, let a meeting be called at once, and the pledge be made. This is very important, that the committee may know what funds they can depend on for the year. Perhaps some churches have not yet arranged their Systematic Benevolence for the coming year. If not, now is the time to do it. And while you are doing it, see that the figures are what they ought to be. It appears from comparison with some other States that the s. B. paid by the churches of Michigan is, at most, but about one third what it should be. It is probably safe to say that it will be in order for any church to at least double its s. B. figures. To withhold from the Lord’s treasury what we can easily pay, and what his work requires, is robbing God. And you know the avenger that follows hard upon such a course; or if not, the Lord by Malachi plainly describes it: “Ye are cursed with a curse.” Now if any one values the paltry sum required of him for the cause of God, more than he dreads God’s curse, or prizes his blessing, such an one will probably refuse to slacken his grasp from his hoarded treasures. Michigan, where nature is so lavish of her bounties, should not certainly come behind any other portion of the field. At our last Conference, five churches failed to make any report at all; while thirteen made only a partial report. The Conference report was consequently worthless. How can this evil be remedied? It can be remedied if those upon whom this work devolves in every church will take hold of the matter immediately upon reading this appeal, and see that the reports are fully made out. If any have not the blanks for reports they can obtain them by addressing the Conference secretary, Miss J. R. Trembley, Review Office, Battle Creek, Mich. Let the stigma of past neglect be henceforth forever wiped from the records of our noble Conference.