APPEAL TO THE BRETHREN IN KANSAS.
By J. N. Ayers
Some of us are behind on our Systematic Benevolence one, two, and three years. The Lord has blessed us with plenty. His cause needs the money we owe it; and we ought to pay our honest debts. If you have not the money, sell something from your surplus. I know prices are low, but God claims the first; so sacrifice a little and pay your S. B., all of it. Do not pay a part and promise the Lord that you will pay the rest at some future time. And to those who are not connected with any church, and have not pledged any S. B., let me say, The Lord holds you responsible for the tenth of all your increase just as much as though you had pledged to pay a certain amount. Neither does pledging release any who have not pledged a tenth of their increase; for a tenth of all our increase is holy. Allow me to make a suggestion: At the beginning of 1876, let every one get a small memorandum book and a pencil, and keep a correct account of all that is raised, and the increase of all property; and when anything is sold, take out the tenth and lay it by. Do not use it for anything, even if it can be replaced before the end of the quarter; for “it is holy;” and at the end of each quarter (which is March 31, June 30, Sept. 30, and Dec. 31), pay it to the church treasurer. Be prompt. Do not let the time run by three or four days; it is better to be a little ahead. Those who belong to no church should send their S. B. by draft, post-office order, or registered letter, to H. J. Stover, Conference treasurer, Oswego, Labette Co., Kan., and report to Esther Stevens, Conference secretary, Bloomfield, Elk Co., Kan. Let all the church treasurers see that all the brethren and sisters have a chance to pledge S. B. for 1876. Be prompt in making your returns. Notify your members before the expiration of the quarter, to have their S. B. ready on a certain day, and then be prompt on your part, giving each one credit on the Systematic Benevolence book for just what is paid. Keep your book so that all can understand it, and have it ready for inspection at all times. All church records should be kept clean and neat. Have everything in order. Now brethren and sisters of the Kansas Conference, from this time forward let us listen to the words of the Lord by the mouth of his prophet: “Bring ye all the tithes into the store-house, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.”