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The October Collection

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park, Washington, D. C. · Sep 19, 1912

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 89, No. 38.

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The October Collection

By A. J. Haysmer

THE annual offering for the support of the work among the colored people of this country, is taken the first Sabbath in October. This year it comes on the fifth.
The General Conference has made a liberal appropriation for this work; but whether the funds to pay the workers can be sent on, depends upon the liberality of our people.
The Lord is greatly blessing the efforts of our faithful workers. Hundreds are accepting the truth. In "Testimonies for the Church," Vol. IX, pages 225, 226, we read:—
"Let us thank God, dear brethren and sisters, and take courage! God is laying bare his arm to do a mighty work in this mission field within the borders of our own land. He is now giving his people unusual opportunities to extend the message rapidly in the South. Especially should we reveal a spirit of beneficence at the time the yearly offering for the support of the colored work is taken up. God has reposed confidence in us by making us stewards of means and of his rich grace; and he now points us to the poor and suffering and oppressed, to souls bound in chains of superstition and error, and assures us that if we do good to these, he will accept the deed as though done to himself. 'Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren,' he declares, 'ye have done it unto me.' Matt. 25:40.
"Thousands of colored people in the South may now become uplifted, and become human agents to help their own race, if they can receive the help God is calling upon us to give them. . . .
"My dear brethren and sisters, Christ is now saying to you: 'Lift up your eyes and look on this Southern field; for it needs workers—sowers of the seed, and reapers. It needs your means for the maintenance of these workers.' The grace of Christ is unlimited, it is God's free gift. Then why should not this neglected people have some hope and courage and faith brought into their lives? There is sunshine in the heart for all who will accept Christ."
We have had to drop some of our workers this year on account of lack of means. This has been very hard for us to do when the Lord was blessing their efforts, and when so many calls were coming in for help. What we shall be able to do in the future depends upon what our people do October 5. May the Lord impress you all at this time with the needs of this work, and help you to make a liberal donation.
A. J. HAYSMER, Sec. N. A. Negro Dept.