Sabbath-School Contributions and the Australian Mission.
By C. H. Jones
WE have frequently received requests from Sabbath-schools in different parts of the State in regard to what use should be made of their class contributions. We have generally answered that they were to be used in defraying the running expenses of the schools. But the more we have thought over the matter, the more we have felt that there should be some higher object held up as an incentive to give. Our schools have done well in the past, but we feel confident that if some special object were placed before them each quarter,—something of a more general nature,—the contributions would be largely increased. In talking the matter over with Elder W. C. White, president of the General Sabbath-school Association, he fully agreed with me in this, and therefore we made the request at the beginning of the year that all the Sabbath-schools in the California Conference donate their class contributions for the first quarter to the Australian mission. As the result, we give below the names of the schools heard from thus far, and the amount donated by each:— | Arbuckle |
$ 8 00 |
Petaluma |
$ 7 50 |
|---|
| Arcata |
18 35 |
Placerville |
27 54 |
| Burrough Valley |
3 50 |
Pleasant Grove |
20 00 |
| Ferndale |
36 25 |
St. Clair |
20 05 |
| Fresno City |
20 65 |
St. Helena |
17 50 |
| Gilroy |
5 30 |
San Francisco |
67 50 |
| Grass Valley |
3 25 |
San Jose |
7 55 |
| Hanford |
79 |
San Pasqual |
6 60 |
| Healdsburg |
100 00 |
Santa Ana |
6 12 |
| Lakeport |
2 80 |
Santa Rosa |
9 05 |
| Lemoore |
30 05 |
Selby Flat |
5 00 |
| Little River |
3 50 |
Soledad |
5 10 |
| Los Angeles |
5 10 |
Turlock |
51 20 |
| Napa City |
2 50 |
Ukiah |
2 00 |
| Norwalk |
4 75 |
Vacaville |
4 45 |
| Oakland |
228 00 |
Woodland |
35 00 |
| Oro Fino |
05 |
Total |
$765 03 |
The following schools have not been heard from: Forestville, Lafayette, Modesto, Mountain Home, National City, Potrero, Reno, and Temperance. In looking over the result as reported above, we feel that our schools have done nobly, and we are more than ever satisfied that we have adopted the right plan. All the money donated as above, was received from the class contributions. Large donations have been made to the mission by different persons aside from this. It was not intended that these Sabbath offerings should take the place of donations. Though the amount given by each individual may have been small, yet, when it is all put together, it makes quite a large sum. And now each scholar in the school can feel that he has done something to help start the Australian mission, and I feel sure that they will take a deeper interest in that work from having done something for it. Like the little boy in the East, when running along early one morning he was accosted by a gentleman who asked him where he was going and why he was in such a hurry? He said, "I am going down to see my ship launched." The gentleman thought it rather strange that he should call the ship his, and on questioning him further, the boy said he had given ten cents to his Sunday-school teacher to help build the ship Morning Star, that he had an interest in the concern, and was going down to see her launched. Can we not by the means which we have adopted, instill the same missionary spirit into the minds of our children, and thus lead them to feel that they have an interest in these things? As some of our schools need supplies of books, maps, etc., we thought it best to use the class contributions this present quarter in getting what may be needed, but we expect to make another call soon, for united action in behalf of some other missionary enterprise, and we trust we shall have the same hearty co-operation that there has been in this. The State Association has decided not to take the tithe out for the past quarter, but let it all go to the mission, and thus give each school credit for the full amount donated. Now that we have given of our means, for the Australian mission, let us not forget to pray earnestly and continually that God's blessing may rest upon it. That he may guide his servants who are going there, and that the way may be opened up before them. C. H. JONES,
Pres. Cal. S. S. Association.