THE ONE-THIRD, AND MONTHLY INSTALLMENT PLAN.
The plan of raising means for the tract and missionary work has been formerly by donations. These pledges were usually made as the result of earnest appeals at quarterly meetings, camp-meetings, etc. It was found that great inequality resulted from the plan. (1) Many of our brethren who were able to pay liberally would not be at the meeting. (2) Often the most conscientious, under these stirring appeals, would go beyond their ability, and thus distress themselves, while the more able would fail to do what they ought. The apostle taught equality, “I mean not that other men be eased and you burdened, but by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for your want, that there may be equality.” 2 Cor. 8:13, 14. This matter was considered at the General Conference, and after much prayerful consideration it was recommended, first, that all our brethren and sisters come up on the Bible plan of Systematic Benevolence, which is based upon giving as God has prospered them. 1 Cor. 16:2; Deut. 16:17. This calls for one tithe of a man's increase and income. Lev. 27:30; Matt. 23:23; Luke 11:42; Gen. 14:26; 28:22; Heb. 7:4, 8. Secondly, that each member pay a sum for the tract and missionary work equal to one-third of his s. B. Hence the one-third is no part of the Systematic Benevolence. The s. B. is paid for the support of the ministry. The sum equal to one-third of the amount of the s. B. is a free-will offering in addition to the s. B., which each individual is recommended to pay during the year for the support of the Tract Society. The resolution relating to the one-third, passed at the General Conference, Nov. 12, 1876, is as follows:— “Resolved, That this Conference recommend to the several State Conferences that each individual raise a sum equal to one-third of his s. B. pledge for the year, to meet the demand for means to be used, as far as necessary, in the proposed increase of the circulation of the SIGNS, the REFORMER, and other publications; this offering to be paid Jan. 1, 1877, or, if more favorable, in four installments; the first to be paid Jan. 1, the second, April 1, the third, July 1, and the fourth, Oct. 1, 1877.” The church treasurer should collect the one-third, and pay it to the librarian of the Tract Society, who, in turn, pays it to the secretary of the district, and he to the State secretary. It is the duty of every Conference Tract Society to see that the above is carried out in all our churches. It should be a special point with the directors and ministers laboring with them to bring our brethren up to the Bible standard of s. B., and the one-third. Were this fully adopted, there would be means sufficient to carry forward the tract work and to support the ministry. But many of our brethren are not where they should be on their s. B. figures. Some do not pay their one-third, and many of our tract societies are indebted at the REVIEW Office, and were they to limit their missionary work to the income of the one-third, under present circumstances it would greatly cripple their efforts. Any church has the privilege of using the one-third in the missionary work in any manner they see fit. If they choose to pay part or all for several copies of the SIGNS sent to one address, to be used exclusively in the missionary work, in monthly installments outside the one-third, it is their privilege. Many of our churches in Vermont, Massachusetts, and Michigan reasoned thus: “We will pay s. B. according to the Bible plan; we will also pay a sum equal to one-third of our s. B. for missionary work; but now we have not sufficient means to carry forward the missionary work and pay for the SIGNS; consequently, according to our ability, we will pay a monthly installment for the SIGNS, in addition to the one-third.” As this was not sufficient in a number of instances, some good brethren would say: “Send for your SIGNS. Here are a hundred dollars to pay for them.” And we are sure there is not an enterprise in the world that will pay so large interest as this.