ILLINOIS CONFERENCE FINANCES.
By G. W. Colcord
STATEMENTS FOR CONSIDERATION.
1. For labor already performed in our Conference, we owe more than $500.00. 2. We owe a small sum at the REVIEW Office. 3. Our prayers and hopes are, that more laborers will work in our part of the gospel field the coming year than ever before. If all our ordained and licensed ministers prove themselves true to the noble resolutions formed at our last camp-meeting, we may not hope in vain for a growth within our borders. 4. These obligations must be met; our honest debts must be paid. Is not the “laborer worthy of his hire”? Then let all say, The five-hundred-dollar debt shall be liquidated; and what we owe at the Office we shall endeavor to pay at the earliest practicable moment; and with reference to the future labors of our ministering brethren, we cheerfully declare, if said labor prove to be earnest and successful, we shall endeavor to support the laborers well, according to the will of God. 5. But the question arises, How shall we meet all these obligations? The answer is ready, Pay our debts with our incoming resources. These resources should consist, first, of the “tithes” of all the earnings of all our church members, with, perhaps, very few exceptions; secondly, the fund in our Conference treasury should be increased by the tithes of all our scattered brethren and sisters in the State; thirdly, all old s. B. pledges that remain unpaid, should be immediately redeemed; fourthly, we expect some aid from donations and free-will offerings. 6. Encouraging features in the case are as follows: In 1875 we contributed nothing to the General Conference fund; this year we gave $100. At the close of last year’s session of our State Conference, we were in debt more than $1000; this year we owe about one-half this amount. To-day there are sums justly due us that are more than equal to all our debts. Our ministers are willing to work, and do work, under very small pay. 7. I now earnestly appeal to all to do their whole duty with reference to their financial connection with God’s cause. Ministers, all, we must be very economical. May God vivify us! Work hard, brother; there is a reward in Heaven. Churches in Illinois, will you be faithful to tithe unto God all your earnings? One-tenth of what we earn, God says, is his. Brethren and sisters, shall we try to “rob God”? Ananias-like shall we keep back “part of the price,” and receive God’s curse? Let me hope for a manifestation of faithfulness on your part; and let me not hope in vain. Every lonely Sabbath-keeper, who is looking for the soon coming of our Saviour, and who is praying the Lord of the harvest to send laborers to his part of the field to warn his neighbors, should prove his love for the present truth and his willingness to aid in supporting “the one cause,” by remitting his s. B. every three months to Bro. J. R. Whitham, Aledo, Mercer Co., Ill. Church treasurers, are you faithful? Do you stir up the minds of your brethren and sisters on money matters? Does your s. B. book record faithfulness? When I come to your place, may I examine it? Ay, remember this: The recording angel transcribes your records to his record-book, and you will have it to meet at the Judgment-seat of Christ! Cursed is he that doeth the work of the Lord negligently; but the willing and obedient shall eat the good of the land. Mt. Vernon, Ill., Oct. 10, 1876.