Wants of the Cause in the North Pacific Conference.
By Isaac D. Van Horn
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: Five years have passed since we arrived in this field, and a good work has been done. God has opened hearts to receive his truth, and many are rejoicing to-day at the prospect of soon meeting their Lord in peace. Sacrifices have been made in order to turn to the keeping of the down-trodden Sabbath of the Lord; but the prospect of soon entering into the city of God with all who do his commandments more than makes up for the crosses we bear here. Although much has been done in this field, there remains much more to be done. Not half has been accomplished that might have been in the same time had the zeal and self-sacrificing spirit been manifested that the time of the world's history in which we are living demands. There must be a general waking up and taking hold anew that the work may increase in power in this Conference. Let all unitedly put their shoulders to the wheel and employ all their ability, force, and talent to move on the cause of truth. We are drawing very near the closing day of mercy, and if ever anything is to be done in this field to save perishing souls we should begin now, and begin in earnest. The third angel's message, the last message of mercy, is going to the world. It must go, and its friends must furnish the means to push it forward. Our love for it is shown by the sacrifices we make to sustain it. One of the important points to be considered at our camp-meetings this year will be that of raising funds to carry on the several branches of the work. There are four special objects that demand our attention, and must have the support of our people in this conference. 1. The tithing system should be adopted by every believer of the present truth. Not one, whether a member of a church or not, should excuse himself or hold back. This is not a scheme devised by S. D. Adventists, but a solemn obligation laid by the Lord upon his people as early as the days of Abraham. Let every one take hold of this cheerfully that there may be means in hand to support those who give their whole time to preaching and building up the cause. 2. The T. and M. work must have means to place it in better condition than it is at present. We want the fund, known as the $300 T. and M. fund, increased to at least double that amount. This will enable the conference T. and M. secretary to keep a good assortment of our publications on hand and pay down for them, that the Office may not have to wait for means it needs to carry on its great work. 3. We must raise a camp-meeting fund of not less than $150. This is much needed to prepare suitable grounds for such meetings, and to furnish it with lumber, &c., that it may be a place both attractive to the people and suitable to worship God. These camp-meetings should be kept up, for, when rightly managed, they are a great help and strength to the cause. 4. We very much need a tent fund of at least $500 to purchase a new tent, to use in starting tent meetings in new places, and to carry on tent work in general. Our old tent we brought with us to this field, and it cannot be used much longer. It may hold together for one meeting this year, but by another year we shall need a new tent to be used in the western part of this conference. And still another item, that of paying the help the Gen. Conference sends us to make the work at our camp-meetings successful. Brethren and sisters of the N. P. Conference, we want you to seriously consider the wants of the cause as we have set them before you. You will see that not far from twelve hundred dollars must be raised in this conference during the coming year, and all this outside of your tithes. I entreat you to come up and take hold of this work in earnest. If all will lay plans to help the cause in these several branches the amount required can be easily raised. Let all murmuring cease, and that forever. Let your time, means, and talents be employed in pushing forward the cause we all so much love, that souls for whom Christ died may be saved, and when your labor is done and our Lord comes to give reward to his people, you will find to your own joy that you have been working for your own eternal good. Now, dear brethren, we shall expect you to come forward with your pledges on these several points—at our camp-meetings, and we shall be much disappointed if the several amounts are not raised. I. D. VAN HORN.