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California Conference of Seventh-day Adventists · Oakland, Cal. · Nov 12, 1874

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 1, No. 9.

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Questions and Answers.

By Editor

Questions are constantly coming up relative to the missionary work. We answer some, and others we send to Bro. Haskell who has been more especially connected with the missionary work, and we hereby invite him to be free to use these columns with such instructions, as in his judgment we need in the missionary work. We want to do, and to learn how to do in this work.
J. W. B. writes from Dist. No. 2, “Sr——, is very low. The doctor says she cannot live long. Her children need clothing. They can’t attend sabbath school for lack of clothing. They must be helped, and that immediately. From what source must they be helped? Whose duty is it to take the case? We want to move in harmony with the T. and M. Society.”
Reply. I suppose God permits these cases of the poor to come up, as a test of the love of God’s people for suffering humanity around them, and as a help in opening a constant channel of liberality in us, and as a safe guard to us, against our falling into covetousness. The missionary Society is not designed to thwart the object of God in these things, but as a regulator, and prompter to duty among the Lord’s people.
As I understand the plan of operations, under the new constitution, it is this, that each District raise, by special donations from their members, their quota of means to be applied to the State, Widow, Orphan, and Poor Fund, and that each District is entitled to draw from that fund in proportion to the amount they have put in. Before any general move is made in this direction I wish to get some general instruction from Bro. Haskell, relative to it. This we hope to have in time for No. 10.
The funds raised at the missionary meeting in 1873, as you will recollect was only to stand open as a poor fund for one year, when it was expected some move would be made to place that matter on a separate basis from our State Tract and Missionary Fund. That time has come. Our new constitution is adopted, and we may as well go to work as fast as we can see our way clear under that Constitution. For the present your church will have to do what they can in this case as you express a willingness to do.
Bro. J. M. from District No. 3, writes, “Will s. B. dues be paid at the same time our reports are made, under the new order of things, or at every Quarter as heretofore?”
Reply. The change in missionary matters does not effect the regulations of our Conference relative to s. B. The State Conference Secretary will send blanks for reports, and a letter of notification as heretofore, two weeks before the quarter expires, when the S. B. Treasurer will collect and forward to the State Conference Treasurer, and report to the State Conference Secretary as heretofore.
Another question from District No. 3, “If a brother wishes to become a member, who shall he apply to?”
Reply. He should apply to the Director, either in person or through the District Secretary, the Librarian, or the Business Agent.