p. 761 | THE WEEK OF PRAYER by Editor

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, Cal. · Dec 15, 1887

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 13, No. 48.

THE WEEK OF PRAYER.

By Editor

WE would again call the attention of our readers, especially of those who are in any way connected with the body of Sabbath-keepers, to the week of prayer, which has already been referred to. December 17-24, inclusive, is the time appointed, and the day or evening following, being Christmas, is designated as the time for special offerings to be made to foreign missions. It is expected that during the week of prayer all the churches will hold meetings every day, or in the evening, if it is not possible for all the members to assemble in the day-time. For each day's meeting a special article has been prepared. These subjects are the following:—

For Sabbath, December 17, which is appointed as a fast-day, "The Importance of Devoting the Week of Prayer to the Special Work of Seeking God;" Sunday, December 18, "Steps by Which We Place Ourselves in a Condition Where God Can Accept Us;" Monday, December 19, "The Blessing of God Brought to Us Through Faith;" Tuesday, December 20, "The Object of God's Blessing, and How It Can Be Retained;" Wednesday, December 21, "Missionary Work—in the Family, in the Neighborhood, and in the Church;" Thursday, December 22, "The Work in Great Britain and Scandinavia;" Friday, December 23, "The Central European Mission;" Sabbath, December 24, "The Obligation, Privilege, and Blessing of Giving."

The Christmas exercises are expected to be such as shall harmonize with the spirit of the week of prayer. It is hoped that during that week all will have had such a sense of their dependence upon God, and of his abundant goodness, that they will feel it to be a very feeble expression of the gratitude due, to give liberally for the missions, which are now languishing for want of means. It has been proposed that at the Christmas gathering, before the offerings are made, brief sketches of the different foreign missions be given; and a circular letter suggesting a programme for the evening, and giving statistics of the missions, has been prepared and sent out.

Concerning the propriety of making gifts instead of receiving them on Christmas, nothing need be said. The plan has been tested abundantly. Some have thought that the children would be disappointed to see a Christmas tree with nothing on it for them; but our experience is that they are much better satisfied when the donations are for some worthy enterprise, and they are allowed to share in the giving, than when they are the recipients. With the latter plan there is always more or less envy, because some are more highly favored than others, while in the proposed plan there is no chance for envy; a lesson of unselfishness is taught, and the children prove the truth of the saying that it is more blessed to give than to receive.

Sabbath-keepers who are isolated so that they cannot meet with others should spend the week of prayer in seeking God by themselves, following the course of the meetings as nearly as they can from a reading of the subjects. Their Christmas offerings may be sent to either of the Publishing Houses, or to the nearest Tract Society Secretary, and they will all be credited to the Foreign Mission Fund. W.