THE DIME TABERNACLE.-THE FACTS AND FIGURES by S. N. Haskell

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 28, 1878

THE DIME TABERNACLE.—THE FACTS AND FIGURES.

By S. N. Haskell

The Dime Tabernacle is progressing finely. This morning we had the privilege of passing through it. It is plain but spacious, and is everywhere marked with neatness and taste. Already the masons are at work plastering. The steam apparatus for heating it is all arranged. The platform on which the pulpit is to stand is erected. As we stood upon it and viewed every part of the seating room in the building, which will accommodate three thousand people, we rejoiced to think that God has so blessed his truth that it has become necessary to erect such a tabernacle to accommodate those who are interested in the truth, and who may yet become interested in the warning of the third angel. We also felt solemn to think that such a building, under the circumstances which made its erection necessary, was an evidence of the nearness of the second coming of Christ.

This building is not for the Battle Creek church merely, but to accommodate men and women who may chance to come here from all parts of the world, and especially the patrons of our College and Sanitarium, and those who may be called here having a special connection with the cause of present truth. It will doubtless stand until the war is over, and Christ comes seated upon the great white cloud. The query arises, How many of those who are now interested in this work will have contributed of their means toward its erection, and showed their sympathy by their prayers? That all might thus help, and none feel burdened by the assistance rendered, the plan of raising means by monthly donations during the year of ten cents each from all our people was adopted. Were this plan fully carried out, taking for a basis the membership of our Conferences, the sum raised would fall short many thousand dollars of defraying the expense of building the Tabernacle; but at present our brethren come far short of doing even this, as the following table will show. In this table we have taken for a basis our membership as reported to the last session of the General Conference. It also shows what each Conference would do did each member donate ten cents a month, one dollar twenty cents per year; but adding the children and others who are interested in the work, but not members, these figures would be largely increased. It will be seen how much each Conference has done during each of the last four months, and the total amount paid.

Conferences	No. of Members	Amount to be paid Monthly	Amount paid in July	Amount paid in August	Amount paid in September	Amount paid in October	Total	What should be paid during the year
Maine
Vermont
New England
New York
Ohio
Michigan
Indiana
Wisconsin
Minnesota
Illinois
Iowa and Nebraska
Kansas
California
Kentucky and Tennessee
General Southern Mission
Texas
European Mission
Nevada
Colorado
Danish Mission
Oregon
Ontario
General Members

Total amount received, $3,100.19. Total amount which should be received during the year, $15,692.40.

From the above the following facts appear: One-third of the year is already past, and only $3,100.19 has been paid during that time. Again, one thousand five hundred and fourteen have each paid $1.20 or more, amounting to $2,088.74 during the four months. This shows that many of our brethren have not as yet taken hold of the matter at all, and very many have only paid ten cents. Many of our Conferences are sadly behind. For instance: Maine has three hundred and twelve members. If each paid ten cents per month the amount received monthly would be $31.20; but during the entire four months it has only paid $32.10. The receipts show that four from this State have paid $1.20 for the year. Michigan, outside of Battle Creek, should pay $325.80 per month. The entire receipts for four months amount to $770.38, whereas they should be $1,103.20. Besides this the Battle Creek church has pledged $6,000, of which about $2,000 has been paid up to the present time.

Many other Conferences present the same deficiency to a greater or less extent. A few have more than paid their proportion. These things ought not so to be. Were this the work of man there would not be that wrong about it, but being the work of God it appears sinful indeed. No doubt this deficiency is owing to the fact that many have not seen the pledge paper, and others have paid ten cents, and thought no more about it.

The Publishing Association has advanced over $6,000, and nearly $8,000 more is due for material, and to this must be added two or three thousand to complete the building.

It is now designed to have the house dedicated in January, 1879. Therefore $15,000 more is needed immediately. This can be raised easily without burdening any one in particular, if, first, all our ministers and tract society officers will interest themselves in it, and call the attention of our brethren to it, and see that all who have not paid anything do so immediately. Let each pay for six months, which will reach to January, 1879. Second, as many as can do so pay the entire $1.20 without delay. Third, make a thank offering to the Lord of five, ten, twenty, fifty, or one hundred dollars or more. There is no time to lose. We all have much to be thankful for.

Anciently the children of Israel were to appear before the Lord three times a year. The third time was when they had gathered in their autumnal harvest. The command was: “None shall appear before me empty.” See Ex. 23: 14, 15. Shall we not have a response from every church and every individual immediately? Let your thank-offerings come in, brethren, that this house may be dedicated free from any incumbrance whatever. Do not put this off a single day, but let the same feeling exist that existed when the sanctuary was first built. “The children of Israel brought a willing offering unto the Lord, every man and woman whose heart made them willing to bring for all manner of work, which the Lord had commanded to be made by the hand of Moses.” Ex. 35: 29. So freely were these offerings brought that those having charge of the work spoke unto Moses saying, “The people bring much more than enough for the service of the work.” “And Moses gave commandment, and they caused it to be proclaimed throughout the camp, saying, Let neither man nor woman make any more work for the offering of the sanctuary. So the people were restrained from bringing.” One of the times of greatest rejoicing with David and the people of God of which we have a record in the Scriptures was when the people offered willingly with a perfect heart to the Lord for the temple which Solomon built. “They with whom precious stones were found gave them to the treasure of the house of the Lord.” See 1 Chron. 29. May God grant that this may be the case with those who believe in present truth when the present tabernacle is completed.

S. N. HASKELL.