Remarks on Systematic Benevolence
By James White
REMARKS ON THE ABOVE.—We regret the publication of the above, yet do not take the responsibility to withhold it a sufficient time to consult with the Tent Committee. We briefly state our objections as follows: 1. A plan of Systematic Benevolence has been introduced, and approved by General Conference, which is in harmony with the word of God, backed up by the Holy Spirit, which works admirably where adopted, accomplishing all that can be desired of any plan to raise means for the support of the cause. Now as union is desirable, especially in these perilous times, among those who labor to give the last message, we regret to see new plans introduced before those already before the brethren are shown to be defective. It is our opinion that the suggestion of several plans will give the impression that there is but little importance in carrying out any plan, and in the confusion and lack of general interest, no plan will be carried out as it should be, and the desired object will not be gained. Ohio was first in the secession from the approved plan of Systematic Benevolence, at the Gilboa Conference, Oct. 28, 1860, and with surprise we see the first steps taken for Southern Iowa to follow. 2. We object to the above because it embraces but one object, viz., the support of the Tent, which is not more than one third of the expense in Southern Iowa to Winter as well as Summer the cause. The sum to sustain the cause in Southern Iowa for 1861 should be set as high as $1500. 3. We are sorry to see it in print that any able-bodied86man should give less than $5 to sustain so noble an enterprise as the preaching of the last message in a portable meeting-house, from town to town, from city to city. The $1 tax suggested above is, however, a slight improvement upon the Ohio plan, reported in REVIEW, Vol. xvi, No. 26. That plan makes no call upon the able-bodied young man who has no taxable property. 4. We object to the above because, governed by the taxable property on the Tax Books, there seems to be a lack of equality. "In God's arrangement, age, health, ability to acquire, and widowhood, are to be taken into the account. That young man worth $500 should pay ten times the amount that that aged brother, or feeble widow pays, who have the same amount." 5. The liberalities of the church should be a free-will offering. By this we do not mean that the brethren should be left uninstructed as to duty, to do a trifle or nothing, just as it happens. No. But if a system has been presented which is scriptural, consistent, and necessary, which will accomplish the object, and which has the sanction of high Heaven, and also our General Conference, then let every minister among us use his pen, his voice, and his untiring efforts to establish it east, west, north and south. Nothing so disheartens those who would work for God and the cause of truth with all their might, as to see a lack of interest with fellow-laborers, or a willingness to hang back and draw off. Let a discourse on Systematic Benevolence be preached in every church. Patiently, kindly, faithfully hold it before that rich brother till he sees that God calls on him for a tithe of all his increase. Soon he will see, and along will come his free-will offering. And how much better than to draw a half or quarter of a tithe from him with the help of Cæsar's Tax Books. He knows best how much he is worth, and if he chooses to lie unto God as Ananias and Sapphira did, he will have to answer for that. The Monterey, Mich., church heard one discourse on Systematic Benevolence, and are perfectly united. Every brother and sister does something. The Battle Creek church is also perfectly united on the subject, and puts down for 1861, $291,20. "It is a pleasure for all to do what they propose to do during 1861. And as the result of strictly carrying out Heaven's plan, there is now in our treasury $150, waiting for some worthy object which will really advance the cause of truth. We will close our remarks on this subject till the friends have a chance to read Testimony for the Church, No. 6, which will be out in a few days. Price, post-paid, 10 cts., or for nothing. J. W.