EDUCATIONAL RELIEF FUND.
By James White
We are happy to know that the subject of the proper education of men for the ministry is taking strong hold of the minds of our people. As we have presented this matter at the several camp-meetings during the season now past, liberal and hearty responses have been made by those present. And as this is a subject in which all should feel a lively interest, and all bear a part, we send out an appeal on the subject of education in the form of a four-page tract, with pledge papers, to the T. and M. librarians, for them to present to all the friends of education. And when all shall have been urgently solicited to loan and donate according to the terms specified on the blank pledge papers, they should be returned to REVIEW AND HERALD, Battle Creek, Mich. On the line following the name and amount pledged, the address of each person should be given in plain handwriting. Also the name and address of the solicitor should be given on the back of the paper. From this point the pledges will be forwarded to the proper persons in the several Conferences, where they will be held for collection. Each Conference will have the management and benefits of its own funds, as explained hereafter. At the business session of the Michigan Conference, held in connection with the camp-meeting at Lyons, Mich., the following preamble and resolutions were passed by that body. All our Conferences have adopted the same, in substance:— Whereas, The demands for efficient labor in the cause of God are very great, and whereas the laborers already in the field are so few that scarcely half of the calls for help in the various departments of the missionary field can be met, therefore Resolved, That this Conference recommend that a State Educational Relief Fund be raised and managed as specified hereafter. Resolved, That we recommend that this fund be made up of loans and donations; that the loans be made for three years in sums of not less than $10, without interest; that donations to this fund be made in sums of not less than one dollar; and that three trustees be elected by this Conference to take charge of this fund, to decide who are proper persons to receive aid from it, and to grant all such persons aid to the extent that seems best in the judgment of the committee. Resolved, That at the first appointment one of these trustees be elected for a full term of three years, one for two years, and the third for one year, and at each annual meeting, ever after, there be one trustee elected to fill the regularly recurring vacancy. Resolved, That one-third of the fund actually under the control of the trustees at any one time, be kept in the treasury as a reserve to secure the payment of loans falling due. Resolved, That the time for which any loan is made will begin when the money is actually paid into the treasury. The second term of the current College year opens Wednesday, the 22d inst., at which time the Biblical Institute will also commence. In view of the great importance of this term we urge activity on the part of all who receive the pledge papers. J. W.