District Director’s Benevolent Duties
By S. N. Haskell
Answer to J. W. B. of Dist. No. 2, in Signs No. 9.
It is supposed that the Director will become personally acquainted with each family of Sabbath-keepers in his district, and will visit and pray with them as circumstances require. Thus he will understand their spiritual condition, and if poor, their temporal necessities. Cast-off clothing, new garments, or cloth to make into garments for the poor, is gathered up by the Director from all parts of his district, with the co-operation of the brethren and sisters who may feel disposed to assist in the work. This is usually, and I might say nearly always given by friends of the poor. When there are families that need assistance, and that assistance can be rendered by the brethren and sisters acquainted with the case, and with the circumstances, it is not expected they will wait to draw from a fund by notifying the Director, etc.; but will remember the word of the Lord, and "not harden thine heart, nor shut thine hand from thy poor brother; but thou shalt open thine hand wide unto him, and shalt surely lend him sufficient for his need in that which he wanteth ; and thine heart shall not be grieved when thou givest unto him, because that for this thing the Lord thy God shalt bless thee in all thy works, and in all that thou puttest thine hand unto." Deut. 15:7-10. In short, the brethren should be brethren of benevolence; and the sisters, sisters of charity. This spirit should live in the hearts of all, so that it can be said of them they are "given to hospitality." Or, as Paul said of Timothy, he would naturally care for others. Then it will be a privilege to do what can consistently be done by each individual as opportunities present themselves. It is not unfrequent that the nature of the case is such that counsel of the more experienced is needed. Perhaps a husband dies and an estate is to be settled,—some move to be made that requires a general oversight by men of experience in such matters. Perhaps homes are to be found for children; or some widow has been cast out for the truth's sake; or sickness that requires more than ordinary attention. Perhaps means are needed beyond what could consistently be furnished by friends living in the immediate vicinity. Then the case should be referred to the Director, and if necessary, he refer it to the board of directors at the general Quarterly meeting, when the united counsel of those present decide what steps should be taken in the case. If it be necessary, means can be drawn from the general fund, but only by a vote of the directors present at any general Quarterly meeting. But if the afflicted party refuse the advice and counsel of the more experienced brethren, and choose to pursue their own independent course, then our duty toward them is done, as far as assuming any responsibility in their case is concerned. Mutual obligation is the basis of the Christian religion. Christ saves none but those who comply with the principles of his righteous requirements. The general fund is raised by any who may feel it a privilege to give. The money goes into the hand of the Treasurer of the State Tract Society, and is reported the same as the money for the Tract Society. It is drawn out by order of the President, who is introduced by a vote of the directors present at any general Quarterly meeting. It has never been the practice to entitle each district to draw what they have raised and no more, from the fact that in every conference as far as I am acquainted (and I am acquainted with every conference of Seventh-day Adventists on the east side of the Rocky Mountains), there are districts which the providence of God has so favored that they have never, as yet, been under the necessity of calling for help from the fund; and usually such districts are the best able to contribute to such a fund. A spirit of sectionalism should be guarded against in the conference Tract Society. The different districts are only branches of one family. The spirit of gospel equality should be cultivated in the hearts of all. Paul defines it as follows: "For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened; but by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want; that their abundance also may be a supply for your want; that there may be equality." 2 Cor. 8:13, 14. The poor is Christ's legacy to the church. "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me," are the words of Christ when he comes to make manifest a decision which has already been made in the courts of Heaven. I fully believe that that which is needed to meet the necessities of all the worthy poor is intrusted to the church, and it is the guardian of such cases, and an asylum for the homeless. "Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?" Isa. 58:7. In conclusion we say: 1. It is a duty and privilege for each individual to feel to do what they can to relieve the afflicted. 2. The Director does what is consistent for his district to do, taking a general oversight of the same. 3. The board of directors step in to assist when needed, by counsel, finding homes, or appropriating the funds raised for that purpose, etc. 4. All co-operate together; first, in doing what they can individually do; and, second, in raising a fund to be appropriated by the directors when needed. The clothing gathered up can be retained in the district, or sent to any point where most needed, and is of the easiest access. The Director has charge of it in his district while it is there. An account is kept from where, or from whom it is received; and where, and for what purpose it is disposed of. Also a record should be kept by the State Tract Society Secretary, of all funds paid out and for whom. S. N. HASKELL.
So. Lancaster, Mass. Nov. 1874.