This little leaflet is sent forth with the prayer that it may be received in the same spirit in which it is written.
The stability and usefulness of almost every one of our educational institutions is now imperiled on account of the enormous debts hanging over them. These heavy incumbrances are constantly bringing our schools and colleges into embarrassing places, and are, if the truth be told, in some instances, threatening to close their doors. Perplexities are thus made to rest upon the Boards of Trustees and the Faculties of these schools which they should not have to bear.
It should be stated here, that by far the larger part of these debts are really bills still due on the buildings themselves. The majority of our school buildings have to a great extent been erected on borrowed capital. The buildings were called for and the money was borrowed with the expectation that ultimately money would be given to pay the bills.
It is true that in the case of some of our schools we have been told by the Lord that unnecessary buildings have been put up, but we must remember that the same Lord who said this, is calling upon us now in the pages of this little testimony to pay for these buildings, and a blessing will3surely attend our steps if we do it. Now the call is being made for gifts; not loans. Gifts of sacrifice are asked for, as it will take great sacrifice upon the part of all to bring about the desired results in this matter.
We are much touched with the words in Sister White’s letter, where she states that she has done what she has done in the hope that others may be provoked to gifts of benevolence and mercy in this matter.
SISTER WHITE’S GIFT
Sister White has given this book, “Christ’s Parables and Object Lessons,” to the educational institutions of the denomination. She does not ask one penny of royalty, gives all her work, and the work of her stenographers and helpers on this book, entirely free of cost. This is a most generous, Christian gift. At Sister White’s request a committee has been appointed to have charge of the book and the distribution of moneys which it brings in.
The following-named persons have been chosen by the General Conference Committee to constitute this committee: Elder S. H. Lane, Chairman, S. N. Haskell, L. A. Hoopes, Dr. J. H. Kellogg, W. C. Sisley, J. E. White, P. T. Magan, Secretary.
DONATIONS BY THE PUBLISHING HOUSES.
The Review and Herald and Pacific Press Publishing Companies have agreed to give the labor upon 300,000 books free of cost to the schools. The Review and Herald will publish 150,000 copies free of cost, and the Pacific Press Publishing Company the other 150,000.
A FUND FOR MATERIAL.
It is very urgent that we now have a fund to pay for the paper and binding material necessary for these books. We propose to open a subscription list through the columns of the Review and Herald without delay, and will ask for sums of not less than $50 in any one subscription to this fund. One brother has already promised $1,000 to pay for the illustrations and others have responded with gifts of $100 each. Many thousand dollars will have to be raised for this, and we invite our brethren and sisters whom God has blessed with means to give for this purpose.
All moneys so given should be sent to the treasurer of the committee, A. G. Adams, Battle Creek, Mich.
HOW TO ORDER.
We are also inclosing herewith an order blank. We trust that those receiving the same will seek God for light what to do and will then fill out the blank for at least ten copies of the book. However, if there are those who feel that they can not possibly take as many as ten copies, let them do the best they can, and take as large a number of copies as possible.
These blanks and the money or pledge should be forwarded to your State Tract Society.
Those who can not pay the money when they send in their subscriptions for the book can pledge to pay at a later date, or at the time when the books are ready for delivery.
Sister White has approved of this plan originally suggested by Elder S. N. Haskell, that we endeavor to get every family in the denomination to buy at least ten copies of the book, paying in5advance at the rate of $1 per copy in lots of ten, or if the money can not be paid at once, agreeing to pay it before the books are delivered.
It is not probable that the books will be ready for delivery before the first or middle of September.
Trusting that there may be a hearty response to this appeal, Yours in the work,
COMMITTEE.
SPECIAL TESTIMONY
HELP TO BE GIVEN TO OUR SCHOOLS.
I have not been able to sleep since one o’clock. I am troubled in regard to the debt on the Battle Creek College. I now ask the Review and Herald what it will do to relieve the situation.
In the night season, I seemed to see several looking over the account books of the Review and Herald. In these books was recorded the interest money loaned to the school.
THE MATTER OF INTEREST.
Notwithstanding the light given by God, ten thousand dollars was called for and double that amount was used in building an addition to the school. The managers of the Review and Herald had much to do in this matter. These things must be considered. The Review and Herald is not required to pay the college debt; for if this were done, calls would be made for other schools to be helped in the same way. But the interest on this debt should be made as low as possible. Interest should not be charged upon interest, neither should those who have loaned money charge a higher rate of interest than they themselves pay. One institution should have the tenderest and most kindly feelings for its sister institution. The work done in one is as much the Lord’s work as the work done in the other.
SISTER WHITE’S GIFT TO THE SCHOOLS.
The time has come when the Lord would have all the powers of his people brought into exercise to relieve the situation of our schools. In order to help in this cause, I have proposed giving my book on the parables. I feel very anxious that the General Conference shall act unselfishly in regard to this book, which is to be published to help the schools. This is a time when the Conference should stand before the people in a better light than it has hitherto done.
A CALL TO ALL OUR PEOPLE.
We shall call upon the people to help to the utmost of their ability just now. We shall call upon them to do a work which will be pleasing to God in purchasing the book. We shall ask that every available means be used to help to circulate this book. We shall ask that the whole field be supplied with canvassers. We shall call upon our ministers, as they visit the churches, to encourage men and women to go out as canvassers, to make a decided forward movement in the path of self-denial by giving part of their earnings to help our schools to get out of debt. Surely they can do this much to help the matter.
A general movement is needed, but this must begin with individual movements. Let each member in each family in each church make determined efforts to deny self. Let us have the whole-hearted co-operation of all in our ranks. Let us all move forward willingly and intelligently to do what we can to relieve those of our schools that are struggling under a pressure of debt. Let the officers of each church find out who among the members has been sent to school,8and helped by the school. Then let the church refund the tuition money. Let those who have had success in canvassing come up to the help of the Lord. As they handle this book, let them in the name of the Lord work in faith.
The movement I have suggested will result in reconciliation. It will unify the churches. If all will help to lift the debts on our schools, the publishing house in Battle Creek will be strengthened to do its part. Therefore it is for the interest of the school in Battle Creek to act a full part in helping to pay back the money that has been so long bound up in it.
The schools must be helped. Let all lift harmoniously and help as much as they possibly can. Great blessings will come to those who will take hold of this matter just now. Let no discouragement be offered by our ministers, as though it were not a proper thing to do. They should take hold of this work. If they do it aright, cheerfully, hopefully, they will find it a very great blessing. The Lord does not force any man to work, but to those who will place themselves decidedly on his side, he will give a willing mind. He will bless the one who works out the spirit which He works in. God will make the movement for the help of our schools a success if it is made in a free, willing spirit, as to the Lord. Only in this way can be rolled back the reproach that has come upon our schools all over the land. If all will take hold of this work in the spirit of self-sacrifice, for Christ’s sake, and for the truth’s sake, it will not be long before the jubilee song of freedom can be sung through our borders.
Let our ministers consecrate themselves to God. We need so much,—O so much!—humble men, who feel it a pleasure to do their very best. A9glorious gospel work opens before the converted, faithful minister. He is to help his fellow men to a better understanding of the word. The influence exerted by the minister with whom God works is weighty and momentous. The Lord is highly pleased with the minister who works humbly and willingly. Those who are wholly consecrated to God will ever seek wisdom from on high to enable them to bear their heavy responsibilities. They will be patient, forbearing, courteous, knowing that they are Christ’s representatives. They will show a deep earnestness and fervor in prayer, and in their appeals to individuals and congregations.
UNPROFITABLE MINISTRY.
There are in the ministry young men who have been receiving wages from the Conference, yet whose labors bring nothing in, who are only consumers. I have been instructed that this need not be. It would not be if our young ministers were worked by the Spirit of God.
Some of our ministers might better stop and consider. Let them ask themselves how much they have received from the Conference, and how much their labors have been blessed in the conversion of souls. If you are not producers as well as consumers, what is the value of your work? How can the cause of God sustain as workers those who are not sanctified by the truth? Begin at the beginning of this year to consecrate yourselves to God. Wait not. Make an entire surrender.
Should not our ministers study this question? Many of our young ministers, if truly converted, would do much by entering the canvassing field.10They would there obtain an experience in faith. Their knowledge of the Scriptures would greatly increase, because as they imparted to others the light given them, they would receive more to impart. Let them enter the canvassing fields, and see what they can do in the way of producing. By meeting people and presenting to them our publications, they will gain an experience which they could not gain by simply preaching. As they go from house to house, they can converse with those whom they meet, carrying with them the fragrance of Christ’s life.
The faithful youthful Timothy was taught by experienced men of God’s appointment how to read the Word and how to explain it to others. Paul, his father in the gospel, addressed him in the words, “Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.”
THE CANVASSER.
It is the canvasser’s duty to cultivate the talents God has given him, to maintain his connection with God, to help always where he can. He has positive and constant need of the angelic ministration; for he has an important work to do, a work that he can not do in his own strength. “Thanks be unto God which always causeth us to triumph through our Lord Jesus Christ, and maketh manifest the favor of his knowledge by us in every place. For we are unto God as a sweet savor in Christ, in them that are saved and in them that perish. In the one we are as a savor11of death unto death; and to the other the savor of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?”
In his work the canvasser will be brought in contact with those who are in feeble health, who need the light on health reform, and with those who are dissatisfied with their religious experience, who are longing for something which they have not. To these he is to open the Word of Truth, rightly interpreting its meaning. “For we are not as many who corrupt the Word of God, but as of sincerity, but as of Christ in the sight of God speak we in Christ.”
Ever remember that there are those who teach for doctrine the commandments of men. They make void the law of God by their traditions, like the Pharisees whom Christ exposed, saying, “Ye do err, not knowing the Scriptures, nor the power of God.” The precious gems of truth are buried beneath a mass of error. By the sophistry of religious teachers the meaning of the plain, clear Word of God is hidden. The people are left in perplexity.
By his work, the converted, consecrated canvasser is sowing the seeds of truth. This work must be done without delay; for we have but a short time in which to work. Speak to them in a way that will win their confidence. Pray for the sick. Ask the Lord to restore and heal suffering humanity. He has declared, “These signs shall follow them that believe.”
PERSONALITY OF SATAN.
Men and women are wandering in the mist and fog of error. They want to know what is truth. Tell them; not in high-flown language, but with the simplicity of children of God. Satan is on12your track. He is an artful opponent, and the malignant spirit which you meet in your work is inspired by him. Those whom he controls echo his words. If the veil could be rent away from their eyes, those thus worked would see Satan plying all his arts to win them from the truth. There are those who do not believe in the personality of Satan. These do not oppose his work in their hearts. They are ignorant of his devices.
Instead of becoming like the world, we are to become more and more distinct from the world. Satan has combined and will continue to combine with the churches in making a masterly effort against the truth of God. Everything that is done by God’s people to make inroads upon the world will call forth determined opposition from the powers of darkness. The enemy’s last great conflict will be a most determined one. It will be the last battle between the powers of darkness and the powers of light. Every true child of God will fight bravely on the side of Christ. Those who in this great crisis allow themselves to be more on the side of the world than of God, will eventually place themselves wholly on the side of the world. Those who become confused in their understanding of the Word, who fail to see the meaning of antichrist, will surely place themselves on the side of antichrist. There is no time for us to assimilate with the world. Daniel is standing in his lot and in his place. The prophecies of Daniel and of John are to be understood; they interpret each other. They give to the world truths which everyone should understand. These prophecies are to be witnesses in the world. By their fulfillment in these last days, they will explain themselves.
PUNISHMENT OF THE WORLD.
The Lord is about to punish the world for its iniquity. He is about to punish religious bodies for their rejection of the light and truth which has been given them. The great message, combining the first, second, and third angels’ messages, is to be given to the world. This is to be the burden of our work. Those who truly believe in Christ will openly conform to the law of Jehovah. The Sabbath is the sign between God and his people; and we are to make visible our conformity to the law of God by observing the Sabbath. It is to be the mark of distinction between God’s chosen people and the world.
It means much to be true to God. This embraces health reform. It means that our diet must be simple, that we must be temperate in all things. The many varieties of food so often seen on tables is not necessary, but highly injurious. Mind and body are to be preserved in the best condition of health. Only those who have been trained in the knowledge and fear of God should be chosen to take responsibilities. Those who have been long in the truth, yet who can not distinguish between the pure principles of righteousness and the principles of evil, whose understanding in regard to justice, mercy, and the love of God is beclouded, should be relieved of responsibilities.
God has important lessons for his people to learn. Had these lessons been learned before, his cause would not be where it is to-day. One thing must be done. The truth is not to be withheld from ministers or men in positions of responsibility for fear of incurring their displeasure. There are to be connected with our14institutions men who with meekness and wisdom will declare the whole counsel of God. God’s wrath is kindled against those who in carnal security and pride have shown contempt for his management. They are endangering the prosperity of the cause.
Every false way is a deception, and if sustained will in the end bring destruction. Thus the Lord permits those who maintain false plans to be destroyed. At the very time when praise and adulation is heard, sudden destruction comes. There are those who, notwithstanding they know of the reproof received by others, because of unfaithfulness, turn away from admonition. These are doubly guilty. They knew the Lord’s will, and did it not. Their punishment will be proportionate to their guilt. They would not take heed to the word of the Lord. (Signed.)
ELLEN G. WHITE,
Sunnyside, Cooranbong, N. S. W., Australia.
CORRESPONDENCE RELATIVE TO THE DISPOSITION TO BE MADE OF MRS. E. G. WHITE’S BOOK, “CHRIST’S PARABLES AND OBJECT-LESSONS.”
(Extract from letter to Elder and Mrs. S. N. Haskell, written from “Cooranbong, N. S. W., Oct. 24, 1899,” and signed by Mrs. E. G. White.)
I have had conversation with W. C. White, and made a proposition to him, that I would give the royalty on my coming book, “The Parables,” if the Review and Herald and the Pacific Press would donate their press work, and making of the books in neat, saleable style, and let all the avails be used to help relieve the debts upon our schools. This book will never grow old, and the avails shall go to the schools everywhere to help them. I thought this movement on my part would provoke others to self-denial and to benevolence and mercy, to take right hold of this matter and get out “The Parables” to do this work. Well, the Lord is, I believe, willing to help us in this work. I shall only draw upon the books to give some to the poor that can not buy. W. C. White enters into this plan with great satisfaction. Of course we have not time to get this all before you in definiteness as we will when we have time.
(Copy of letter from W. C. White to Elder G. A. Irwin, sent from Cooranbong, N. S. W., Oct. 23, 1899.)
Mother says she will make large sacrifices herself to encourage effort in this line (to liquidate16the indebtedness on the various schools). She proposes to give to the educational work of the denomination all that might come to her from the sale of one of her most popular works. Since she made this proposal, I have been studying the matter carefully, and am of the opinion that her book on the parables of Christ will be the most valuable gift that she could make. It is a magnificent work, and one that will be appreciated by rich and poor, educated and unlearned. People of all nations, of all classes, of all stations in life, will enjoy it, and be blessed by it; and if it is properly brought out, I think its sale may be made to exceed that of any book that we have yet put upon the market.
This work would make between four and five hundred pages if set in small pica the size of pages of “Coming King;” and printed in large editions, its price could range from three shillings six pence to ten shillings, according to the styles of binding. It will not be profusely illustrated, but should contain some good pictures illustrating the lessons taught in the various parables.
At first we thought of giving Testimonies 34, or the new book on education; but it seems to us that neither one of these would sell so widely and so freely as the book on the parables. Therefore, mother gives what she considers to be the best.
The plan upon which this should be worked will require considerable study, much more than I have had time to give to it as yet, but I will suggest a rough outline to be considered and perfected by you and your associates on the General Conference Committee.
1. Mother will consecrate all the proceeds of this book to the educational work of the denomination.
2. We may ask the Pacific Press to donate the art work.
3. We shall ask the Review and Herald to set the type, and make four sets of plates as a gift.
4. Then we might suggest that the Review and Herald print for its territory, and the Pacific Press for its territory, the London Office for its territory, and the Echo Office for Australasia.
5. We would ask all the Tract Societies to handle the book without profit.
6. We would ask all agents to handle it on forty per cent discount.
If the offered retail price of the work was $1.25, less cost of transportation, the gross receipt for its sale would be twenty-five cents per copy. This, less transportation and unavoidable expenses, might reduce the net receipts to the educational fund to sixty cents per copy.
Upon this basis of reckoning, in every ten thousand copies sold in District No. 3, the Battle Creek College will receive $6,000; for every ten thousand sold in District No. 1, the South Lancaster school would receive the same amount; and so also regarding the sale in the territory which the General Conference Committee should say belonged to Union College, Healdsburg College, to Walla Walla College, Graysville, Huntsville, Mount Vernon, Keene, and to the work in which Edson has been connected in Mississippi. So also in England and South Africa. Mother will ask the Conference to publish an edition in Great Britain to be sold in the establishment of a school there; also an edition for South Africa to assist the Claremont school.
The Echo Company will also be asked to print an edition to be sold in Australasia for the benefit of the Avondale school.
This will be a large expense to the publishing houses, but is it not right that they should all unite to help the General Conference out of its financial embarrassment by clearing our schools from debt? Nine tenths of the money thus freed by the schools will be placed in other branches of our denominational work, and every institution and mission will be helped.
We will ask our brethren in South Africa to donate a translation of this work into the Dutch. We will ask some of our German brethren in America to donate a translation into the German, and others with other languages. Then let us ask the Hamburg and Christiania Offices to publish editions on the same plan for the support of the work in their countries.
(Approved, Ellen G. White.)
(Signed) W. C. WHITE.
(Extract from a letter written by W. C. White to Prof. P. T. Magan, from Cooranbong, N. S. W., Oct. 23, 1889.)
In a letter which I have just written to Elder G. A. Irwin, copy of which I send with this, you will find outlined the plan which mother proposes regarding a united effort to lift the burden of debt from our schools. Please give this prayerful study, and write us what you think about it. Bear in mind that the publication and sale of one of mother’s books is only one of many plans that may be adopted for the lifting of this burden. If our brethren take this matter upon their hearts, and pray for wisdom, God will open to their minds many ways to help, and as fast as money comes in to pay the college debts, it will release capital to be invested in other enterprises connected with the cause. Thus19every one thousand dollars brought into the treasury of the Battle Creek College is not only stopping $50 a year to the College, but it is placing capital in the hands of the Review and Herald, Professor Prescott, and others, to be used in the general work.
(First part of a Testimony from Mrs. E. G. White, copied at Cooranbong, N. S. W., Nov. 21, 1899. Written in Maitland, N. S. W., some time in November.)
Dear Brethren Irwin and Haskell:—
I have some things upon my mind which I must communicate to you. I will state the matter as well as I can. I have thought much, “How can I help the school in Battle Creek, and help to wipe out that large debt?” It came to me that the only way I could do was to make a gift of the book soon to be issued, “The Parables.” I wish this book to be used in the interests of all our schools. I will require no royalty, if our printing office in Battle Creek will find the material and do the work of printing and binding the book. Others can give illustrations, and those who canvass for the work can act their part by taking smaller commission. The Conference has pledged the interest on the debt, and this will help in the proposition I have made. We will all share in the act of benevolence and help the schools to help themselves out of their embarrassment. If we will all harmonize in this work, the Lord will be pleased, and the ones who act a part the Lord will bless. If the Review and Herald find the material, print and bind the book free of cost, they will be doing no more than they would have done had they given the interest on the debt.
I have not time to write much, for the mail leaves this morning. I awakened at half past twelve o’clock, and am now writing to you. I have not the faculty for stating the matter regarding the book as precisely as I would like, but you can understand me, I hope. The Pacific Press would act a part in behalf of the Healdsburg school and the great whole proportionately. The Echo office also would do its part. There should be a general work of benevolence done, that we may accomplish the most in helping our schools. I will give the manuscript of the book as my portion. This, I understand, is now waiting for my last reading of some of the last chapters.
Now, my brethren, will you consider this proposition, and see what the Review and Herald will do, and what the Pacific Press will do, and what the canvassers will do in reducing their commission? Will you see if you can not secure donations of illustrations that will make the book attractive and saleable without great cost? Can you see light in this? Let me know if you will do your best to accomplish this transaction. My heart is deeply stirred in regard to the debt upon our schools all over the world. This state of things should not exist. Will you unite with me in creating something that will change this order of things? In the name of the Lord, do something, and do it now. Arouse the people to do something in regard to these school debts.
(Extract from letter written by W. C. White, to Elder G. A. Irwin, Feb. 13, 1900.)
We feel that whatever we undertake in this line must be well considered, and we must21assured of the co-operation of the General Conference Committee, officers of the General Conference Association, and the members of the Foreign Mission Board.
Mother requests that the General Conference Committee shall appoint a committee to take in charge the plans and propositions which she has made, perfecting them and presenting them to our several publishing houses and the managers of the various schools. It would be well for this same committee to take a general supervision of the enterprise from beginning to end. Mother suggests that Elder S. N. Haskell, Prof. P. T. Magan, and J. E. White be members of the committee. (Signed) W. C. WHITE.