p. 24 | Review and Herald, Vol. 93, No. 48. (9/28/1916)

Earlier text: Selling Subscription Books in China

Two Classes—To Which Do You Belong?

By G. B. Thompson

The time for the beginning of the work of the annual Harvest Ingathering, October 1, is right upon us. This is a splendid opportunity for all our people to engage in one grand rally in missionary work. It is hoped that as far as possible all will take an active part in this work of soliciting funds for the advancement of our work in foreign fields, at the same time placing in the hands of those not of our faith a splendid paper setting before them an interesting statement of the work we are carrying forward in the dark parts of the earth where the light of the gospel shines but dimly.

Some have already begun this work, and are meeting with encouraging success. Our needs in the regions beyond are greater than ever in the past. It is hoped that the amount collected this year will be greatly in excess of any previous year.

It is well at this time to remember our Meroz: “Curse ye Meroz, said the angel of the Lord, curse ye bitterly the inhabitants thereof; because they came not to the help of the Lord, to the help of the Lord against the mighty.” Judges 5:23.

What had the inhabitants of Meroz done that they should be cursed?—Nothing. That was the trouble. When others were in the field campaigning for the Lord, the people of Meroz did nothing. They belonged to the stay-at-homes, or the do-nothings. Their sin was not of commission, but of omission.

To those found on the left hand the Lord will say, “Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.” Matt. 25:41. What reason is assigned why they are among the lost? “Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.” Verse 45.

They had opportunities to help the Saviour in the person of his people. They could have fed the hungry, given water to the thirsty, clothed the naked, and visited the sick. But they omitted to do these things; and inasmuch as they “did it not,” they are among the lost.

These scriptures contain a very solemn and important lesson. To every man the Lord has given a work. Opportunities come to us, opening before us avenues of labor. If we fail to respond, we shall miss the blessing, and as a result some soul may fail to find the light and be saved who otherwise might have been led to the Lord.

The Harvest Ingathering is an opportunity for every church and every isolated believer to engage in a good work. Let us all do our very best in this annual campaign. G. B. THOMPSON.

Publishing House Dedication

A LETTER from Brother C. H. Jones, president of the Pacific Press Publishing Association, announces the dedication of their International Branch office on October 4. Brother Jones says:—

“Our International Branch office and factory at Brookfield, Ill., is finished, and machinery and equipment are now being installed. It is expected everything will be in good running order on or before the first of October.”

“We have a fine two-story building, fifty-five by eighty-five feet, well furnished for the purpose for which it was intended; and now we desire to have it dedicated to the service of the Lord. It has been decided to hold the dedicatory exercises on Wednesday, October 4. We desire to make this an occasion long to be remembered.”

“Our foreign work is developing rapidly and assuming large proportions. We see a large future before our International Branch. We confidently expect that this move from College View to Brookfield is going to mark a new era for our foreign work in this country. We have set the dedication for October 4, so that those from the West who attend the General Conference Council meeting at Washington October 11-24, can attend our exercises without additional traveling expenses.”

“Thursday, October 5, we plan to have a council concerning the needs of our foreign work, what papers to issue, in what languages, etc.”

Our Harvest Ingathering Campaign

By F. W. Paap

Now that the Ingathering program has been carefully studied in all the churches, and the time of this united effort has come, we feel constrained to say a word to all our people. Records are going to be broken. We feel confident of this because the fullest sympathy and coöperation throughout the entire field is being given. The forces of this great movement are being organized and trained, as never before, to do service for God. This united effort will go a long way in remedying a condition that has long prevailed. It will result in putting talent to work that has long been dormant.

“There are scores who have real ability, who are rusting from inaction, and yet many of these do not know how to set themselves at work for the Master.”

“Well-organized work must be done in the church, that its members may understand the manner in which they may impart life to others, and thus strengthen their own faith and increase their knowledge.”—“An Appeal,” pp. 12, 15.

We appreciate that it will take time to reach the ideal; but we trust every church will organize in a definite way, and plan to carry forward this campaign to a successful conclusion. It is necessary to have a definite territory in which to work, and it is also necessary to have a good supply of papers and of the General Information Leaflet and of the Official Solicitor’s Card. But more than this is necessary in order to have success. The worker must have faith in God. He must know assuredly that the angels of God will accompany him in the field. He must pray earnestly. We would suggest that each worker study carefully the Harvest Ingathering Signs. Select a few strong talking-points, and throw yourself into the effort with an enthusiasm that will win.

Much will depend upon the thoroughness of preparation. Already some very encouraging reports have come to hand. We trust that every believer will sign the individual pledge card, setting a goal for himself. With a full month or more to work, don’t aim for less than $5, and keep at it till you win.

We shall look for some very interesting reports during the next few weeks. We would earnestly request that this Harvest Ingathering campaign for missions be made a special subject of prayer around our family altars.

F. W. PAAP.

Sanitarium and Training School Manual

By Editor

The Medical Department has just issued a manual giving the recommendations on sanitarium and training school work passed at the last medical conventions. It is our first publication covering the various phases of institutional medical work. It is an outline of our official action relative to uniformity in sanitarium methods, equipment, and policy.

A limited edition of this manual has been printed. The price, which does not cover the actual cost of printing, is 25 cents a copy, postpaid. Order of Medical Department, Seventh-day Adventist General Conference, Takoma Park, D. C.

Broadview Swedish Seminary Dedication

A word from Elder L. H. Christian, president of the Lake Union Conference, informs us that the Broadview Swedish Seminary, at La Grange, Ill., will be dedicated Sabbath and Sunday, October 7 and 8. This seminary, if we mistake not, has been entirely freed from indebtedness during the last few months. Already it has demonstrated its value as an educational agency in preparing men and women for a part in this movement. We pray that the blessing of God may abundantly rest upon the future work of this institution.

Publishing Work in Asia

This week Elder N. Z. Town, secretary of the General Conference Publishing Department, is sailing from Vancouver for Australia, after which he will visit India and Malaysia and the Far East in the interests of the publishing work in the Asiatic Division. The blessing of the Lord upon this department in Asia indicates surely that the printed page will act its appointed place in carrying the message to the millions of the Orient.

Evangelistic Work in Hawaii and California

We learn that Elder J. W. McCord has concluded the special tent effort in Honolulu in which he and other workers engaged, and in which a good number took their stand for the truth. We shall expect a full report of the Hawaiian evangelistic campaign at an early date. Elder McCord has again taken up evangelistic work in California.

Promising Work in Island Fields

In a recent letter, Brother C. H. Pretyman, secretary of the Australasian Union Conference, says: “Good words continue to reach us from our island fields. I have never known the situation to be so promising as it is at present. We are planning for an aggressive work in new groups.”