SYSTEMATIC BENEVOLENCE.
By James White
We are more than ever convinced that this is the very thing needed. It is scriptural, reasonable, testing the sincerity of the rich, developing covetousness, and showing the real friends of the cause. This system casts no burden on the poor, and disarms the rich of all reasonable excuse. If it causes them to start back at the large sums it draws on them, it shows them how to make their weekly donations lighter; that is, by reducing their property. A brother writes the 10th: "The church came together Feb. 20th, and chose a secretary and treasurer. Thirty-eight gave their names and the sums as follows: One brother pays 8 cts per week; one, 20 cents; one, 4; three, 5; six, 10; one, 3; one, 2. Eleven sisters pay each 2 cts. per week; five, 3; one, 1; one, 4; five, 5; four children, one cent each." "The church voted to send five dollars for Tent operations. There are about twelve dollars in the treasury." These sums of this poor church are very small indeed, but in one year they amount to $95,16. What are our western brethren doing on this subject? They seem very still. This simple method would raise all the funds necessary to advance the cause in the West. Come, brethren, East, West, North and South, take hold of this matter, and each church will soon have five, or twenty-five dollars to send for missionary purposes. Let every church in Michigan send up to conference a good report of what they have done on Systematic Benevolence, and something from the treasury for Tent operations in the State. J. W.