TO THE MEMBERS OF THE IOWA AND NEB. CONFERENCE.
By George I. Butler
As the end of our Conference year is drawing near, I wish to say a few words concerning our financial condition. The beginning of the year found us quite largely in debt, both in the Tract and Missionary work and in the Conference. This has been a hindrance to us the whole year past; but, thanks to the liberality of some of our brethren, the debt of the T. and M. Society to the Offices has been considerably lessened in spite of the hard times. The Association generously forgave a part of our indebtedness, so that at the last quarter we were but a little behind. I have greatly desired that our debts should be all paid up this year, so that the Society could start out the coming year with a clear record. This is the more necessary because our Conference has been recently redistricted. This change in the districts will go into effect at the beginning of the new Conference year. So it is important the old districts should all stand square, and start out with a clear record. We hope our brethren and sisters will make one final effort to pay up the remaining indebtedness, so that our good Society may be clear of all hindrance. We urge our brethren to pay up their pledges on S. B. before the camp-meeting. At our last Conference meeting, several of our ministers were unpaid, and remained so for a long time after. This ought not to be so this year. If all will pay up their solemn pledges to God, as they have vowed, it will not be so. Many of our preaching brethren have drawn little or nothing during the whole year thus far, doubtless because they have known our Conference fund was very low. These bills of course will be all the heavier at the close of the year. We hope our brethren will make a special effort to pay up all their pledges, so that the delegates can bring it to the treasurer at the camp-meeting, and we can settle up honorably with those who have labored under our employ. “Pay what thou hast vowed.” Our tent and camp-meeting fund is also very low, when we consider the calls to be made upon it. After paying for the new tent already ordered for Nebraska, I know not where the funds will be found to pay camp-meeting expenses, unless our brethren help fill up this fund. This is probably my last appeal to you for means. Let us be faithful stewards of our Master.