Table of Contents

Report of the Book Fund for Tract and Book Distribution

BOOK FUND REPORT

CONDITION OF THE FUND

GIVING

Thus Saith the Lord

Report of the Book Fund for Tract and Book Distribution

by James S. White

STEAM PRESS

1869

BOOK FUND REPORT

SOME more than one year since it was suggested that a fund be raised by donations for the gratuitous distribution of tracts issued by the Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association. Small donations were made, and a few tracts were given.

In January, 1868, a call was made for a sum sufficient to enable the Association to give to the worthy poor such works as Spiritual Gifts, Sabbath Readings, How to live, Appeal to Youth, Appeal to Mothers, and the two large Charts in cloth as they came from the Lithographer.

This appeal was first made to the Battle Creek church. The members of this church responded liberally, and set a good example to others. Our brethren in different parts of the field took hold of this good work with a liberal hand, and means came in.

Notice was then given that these works would be given to those not able to purchase them. And, more, it was decided to urge them upon the attention of those who had not sufficient interest to purchase them. It was seen that these are the very persons who need them most. Especially is this true of Spiritual Gifts. Our friends who had not these works were urged to purchase them. To those not able to purchase, they were offered free of cost. The result is as follows:

1. The sum of $2,370.91 has been received.

2. The sum given in books is $1,601.39, leaving $769.52 on hand.

3. Of the above-named books there have been one-third given, while two-thirds have been sold for cash in hand. This class of books is nearly disposed of, and the fund is not expended.

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I am happy to give so encouraging a report of this fund. Of this I am certain, that means have been expended in the circulation of these important works very carefully, and that the matter has been managed in the most judicious manner.

At the Camp-meeting in Wright, Mich., Sept. 1868, I made the following appeal to the friends of the cause present, which there met the liberal response of pledges to the amount of $1400.

"Life Incidents, in connection with the great Advent movement, as illustrated by the three angels of Rev.xiv. This is the title of a book of 376 pages, the object of which is to set before the people the true position of Seventh-day Adventists. It contains brief sketches of the experience and labors of the author in connection with the Second Advent cause. It gives the important facts relative to the rise and progress of Adventism, the views of William Miller, and presents many points of deep interest relative to the life, Christian experience, and labors of that truly great and good man. In this book is given a comprehensive exposition of the three messages, explaining the past with its disappointments and harmonizing the three divisions of the great Second-Advent movement.

"The preparation of this book has cost me wearisome thought. And as I have drawn out its plain and pointed lines upon paper with trembling nerve and aching head, I have been impelled to urge the work to its close by a sense of the wants of the people. Especially do the tens of thousands who once cherished the blessed hope, and have fallen back, need this work. I wish to put it into the hands of thousands who are either too poor, or have too little interest in the subjects upon which it treats, to purchase it.

"Brethren, will you help me in this good work? Turn not away from my appeal; but let it reach your hearts and your pockets. The price of the book is $1.00. But you can have it to give to your

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unbelieving friends for 75 cents a copy. And you can have it to give to the Lord's poor, and for general gratuitous distribution, for 60 cents a copy.

"Again, I wish with my own hands to judiciously give it to thousands, and ask you to give of the Lord's money in your hands to meet this expense. From the fund that may be raised for this purpose, I shall take only 60 cents a copy for those I give away."

On that camp ground I commenced the work of giving books. Of those to be given from this new fund, I added to Life Incidents the tracts entitled, The Law and the Gospel, God's Memorial, and Little Will. I have since added Bro. Smith's excellent work in answer to objections to the visions, and selected packages of fifteen of our choicest tracts. The friends of the cause, from Maine to Minnesota, have liberally donated to this fund. And with a liberal hand have I given books. At our general gatherings in Michigan, Illinois, Iowa, New York, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Maine, and Ohio, I have freely given of these books, pamphlets, and tracts, to the poor. I have sent by mail not a small amount of these works to the poor, in all parts of the field, who have asked for them. And I have given more or less to nearly all our active ministers, to enable them to give them to proper persons where they may labor. I have given according to my judgment as the different fields of labor seemed to demand, without reference to the amounts pledged in the different fields. In the West, and in the State of Michigan, but few books have yet been given, in New York more, and in New England still more. I gave not less than $200 worth in Maine.

From Sept. 1, 1868, to Jan. 1, 1869, I disposed of about five tons of our publications at the several camp, and other general, meetings held by us in Michigan, Illinois, Iowa, New York, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Maine, and Ohio. Under the circumstances the work of free distribution has necessarily

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been hastily and imperfectly done. Care has been taken not to give them to unworthy persons. And it has only been for want of time to learn the wants of all that some have not been served. There are preachers and leading brethren in different parts of the field who probably should have quantities of these works, more or less, for free distribution. These will be supplied. As a general thing our experienced ministers are the proper persons to distribute these books at the expense of the fund. In most cases brethren and sisters choose to purchase them at the extremely low prices at which they are sold for general distribution.

Relative to the prices of these works for gratuitous distribution, I am happy to report that bound books of about 400 pages can be furnished from large editions for 60 cents a copy. And our tracts can also be afforded for gratuitous distribution at the rate of 1600 pages for $1.00. Pamphlets will be furnished at corresponding prices. Whether purchased by our brethren for free distribution, or charged to the fund, these are the prices of these works. There are no publishing houses in the United States that furnish books and tracts at these prices. Even those houses, such as the American Tract Society, where they print for the million, and are receiving legacies from the rich, have their prices above these.

The truth must be proclaimed. The number of our efficient preachers is small, and much must be done through our publications. Does God call men to sacrifice in the work of preaching the truth? So he calls on all the church to sacrifice something to proclaim abroad his truth through the medium of publications. This is a work of sacrifice. All should bear a part. The printer must sacrifice, and the Association will issue publications at cost. Those who circulate them will bear their part in this work of sacrifice in cheerfully doing their part of the work without pay. And then there will be no want

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of interest on the part of our people in giving of their means. I have called on our people to contribute of their means. They are responding nobly. But when our tracts cannot be afforded at what it costs to print them, where they are to be gratuitously circulated, then I shall cease to call for means to sustain this branch of the cause of present truth.

A certain minister was appealing to a congregation for money to send to a Christian missionary in a foreign land. The hat was passed. An Infidel threw in a quarter of a dollar. As the hat was being passed from him, "Hold," said he, "here is a dollar to get the quarter to the missionary." This was a sharp and fitting rebuke upon the practice of employing salaried officers to manage benevolent funds.

It is a work of sacrifice. And when it fails to be such, let the work cease. But it will not cease. With the greatest confidence I can speak in behalf of our people everywhere. They have means for this enterprise, and when they see it managed by men who have a heart in it, they will most cheerfully give of their means.

Since last September there have been sold or given, Life Incidents 4000 copies, Review to Objection to the Visions 4000, Law and Gospel 30,000, God's Memorial 30,000, Little Will 4000, besides many thousands of packages of tracts and other works, and all that has been given and charged to the fund at the low rates aforesaid is less than $1000.

We now have in contemplation five volumes of 400 pages each, besides several pamphlets and numerous tracts, which will be furnished at the low rates before mentioned, when purchased for gratuitous circulation, or given at the expense of the Book Fund.

In the following pages are the names of those who have pledged to this fund, with the sums pledged. Some have not yet paid. Many have paid. We have ordered a large amount of book paper, which

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must be paid for immediately. Those who would assist us in the work, will please pay their pledges soon. The sooner the better.

Again, I have taken the liberty to add the names of some who have not pledged, and to change some of the figures of the amounts pledged, with the supposition that when the importance and magnitude of this work are more fully understood, the liberal donors will fully approve of the changes. All the time necessary will be given such. If any should be dissatisfied, they will please inform me and I will change back their figures. And many will feel dissatisfied with their small figures. Such can raise them as high as they choose.

It has been at General Meetings, when I had much labor and care upon my hands, that I have received pledges for the book and tract fund, and have taken money. Without doubt many mistakes have occurred. I wish here to state:

1. Brethren, be liberal in this work. If you are certain that I have put your figures too high, put them lower. If not, let them remain.

2. And you who are dissatisfied with your small figures should raise them liberally higher.

3. All who receive this report should promptly respond to its call. If you have done your duty, please call the attention of others to it, and do all you can to urge on this good work.

4. Some may have donated whose names are not on this report. And many who should have their names on it, represented by a liberal sum, are not here. Send us all the names and as large donations as you can.

5. Doubtless some have paid, who are not marked paid. All mistakes will be promptly corrected when pointed out.

6. And the sooner all pledges are paid the better.

All communications relative to this fund may be addressed to ELD. JAMES WHITE, Battle Creek, Mich.

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Here follow the names of donors, with the sums pledged, and the amount paid:

Names.                          Pledges.             Paid.

Ira Abbey & wife,             $100               $100

Hiram Bingham,                 100

Jacob Berry & wife,            100                 10

Charles Buck & wife,           100                  5

A L Burwell & wife,            100                 10

F H Chapman,                   100                 10

Alex. Carpenter & wife,        100

S D Covey & wife,              100                  5

W E Cheesbro & wife,           100                 60

A A Dodge & wife,              100

Jerome Fargo,                  100                 35

Newel Grant,                   100                100

Daniel Gould & wife,           100                100

James Harvey,                  100                100

Jacob Hare & wife,             100

Ira Harman & wife,             100

H W Kellogg & wife,            135                135

Nathaniel Keyser & wife,       100

S H King & wife,               100

J P Kellogg & wife,            100                100

T Lumis & wife,                100                 50

Jonathan Lamson & wife,        100                 25

J M Lindsay & wife,            100                 25

A W Maynard & wife,            100                 50

S A Mc Pherson & wife,         100                100

Freeman Nichols,               100                100

Seth Newton & wife,            100                 10

W E Newcomb & wife,            100                 25

D A Owen & wife,               100                 52

I A Olmstead & wife,           100                 10

Dan R Palmer,                  100                100

E H Root & wife,               100                 20

S Rummery & wife,              100                 50

Charles Russell & wife,        100                  5

A W Smith & wife,              100                100

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Names.                     Pledges.        Paid.

Mrs E Temple,                 100                 50

Geo T Lay & wife,             100                 50

James White & wife,           100                100

Eli Wick & wife,              100                100

J S Wick & wife,              100                 25

S I Abbey,                     50                 50

M C M Andrews,                 50                 50

Wm Carpenter & wife,           50                 50

Daniel Carpenter & wife,       50                 50

C K Farnsworth & wife,         50                 50

John Francisco & wife,         50                 50

S B Gowell,                    50

H Hilliard & wife,             50                 10

Geo Leighton & wife,           50                 25

R G Lockwood & wife,           50                 50

L Lowry & wife,                50                 10

Henry Nicola & wife,           50                 30

O H Pratt,                     50                 15

D Spooner & wife,              50

N H Satterly & wife,           50

Thankoffering,                 50                 50

J G Whipple,                   50                 15

H Lindsay & wife,              30                 30

C P Buckland,                  25

Daniel Berry,                  25                  2

A H Clymer,                    25                 25

Luman Carpenter,               25                  3

S B Craig & wife,              25                  5

M E Cornell & wife,            25                 25

A W Cumming,                   25                 25

S D,                           25                 25

Dexter Daniels,                           25                           25

D C Demarest & wife,           25                 17

W Eggleston & wife,            25                 25

Peter Erb,                     25

L M Fish,                      25

E S Griggs,                    25                 25

V B Gaskill & wife,            25                 25

H S Gurney,                    25

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Names.                     Pledges.        Paid.

Noah Hodges,                   25                 25

J Q A Haughey & wife,          25                 12

C F Hall & daughter,           25                 25

J D Hough & wife,              25                  7

W J Hardy & wife,              25                  3

Oliver Mears & wife,           25                 25

F W Mace & wife,               25                 25

Darius Myers,                  25                 25

Wm Merry,                      25

G W Mitchell,                  25

H Patch,                       25

A Olson,                       25                 10

A Ross,                        25

Warren Sanborn,                25                 25

E W Searle,                    25                 25

S Trowbridge,                  25

E Walworth,                    25                  5

S Zollinger & wife,            25                 25

A friend (in gold),            20                 20

A C Bourdeau & wife,           20                 11

Lacrissa Dahnos,               20                 20

N Orcutt & wife,               20                  7

J W Raymond,                   20                 20

David Smouse & wife,           20                 20

Luther Smith,                  20                 20

F T Wales,                     20                  5

E D Armstrong,                 15

S Armstrong,                   15

T Bickle,                      15

Wm V Field & wife,             15                 15

J M Fergerson & wife,          15                 15

J H Ginley & wife,             15                 15

Francis Greenman,              15                 15

S M Holly & wife,              15                 13

N M Jordon & wife,             15                  5

A McAllister,                  15                 15

T Paton,                       15

A Rankin,                      15

R J Reynold,                   15                 13.50

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Names.                     Pledges.        Paid.

C M Stanley,                   15

D T Shireman & wife,           15

J N Andrews & wife,            10                 10

Benn Auten,                    10                 10

James Aldrich,                 10

N Atkins,                      10

A sister,                      10                 10

J M Aldrich,                   10

Thomas Bickle,                 10                  2

I W Barker,                    10

Dr J F Byington,               10                 10

John Byington & wife,          10                 10

John Bartholf,                 10                  9.50

Thomas L Brown, deceased,      10                 10

H W & F R Barrows,             10                  5

Jesse Barrows,                 10

A O Burrill,                   10                 10

E P Butler,                    10                 10

D M Canright,                  10                 10

Eliza B Clarke,                10                 10

M J Cornell,                   10                 10

Ivory Colcord,                 10                 10

J F Carman,                    10

Warren Coon,                   10

F Carlin,                      10

M M Churchill,                 10

E Colby,                       10

E Van Deusen,                  10

W Dawson,                      10

S Drake,                       10                  6.50

Jesse Dorcas,                  10                 10

John M Downs & wife,           10                 10

C Davis,                       10                 10

W Farrar,                      10                 10

Ira Gardner,                   10

D B Green,                     10                 10

E B Gaskill,                   10                 10

R Godsmark,                    10                 10

Fanny Glascock,                10                 10

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Names.                     Pledges.        Paid.

G L Holliday,                  10                  5

L Haines,                      10                  8

A H Hilliard,                  10

Amos Holt,                     10                 10

W P Hinton,                    10                 10

Russell Hart,                  10                 10

Albert Hardy,                  10                 10

H Hunter,                      10                 10

O B Jones,                     10                 10

R R Jones & wife,              10                  2

M W Kems,                      10                 10

R M Kilgore,                   10                 10

A M Kilgore,                   10                 10

J L Kilgore,                   10                 10

M Kunselman,                   10

P Z Kinne,                     10                 10

W H Littlejohn,                10                 10

John Lindsay & wife,           10                 10

N N Lunt,                      10                 10

A Love,                        10                 10

C W Lindsay,                   10

Thos. Lindsay,                 10                 10

C Lindsay,                     10                 10

T H Lindsay,                   10                 10

E Lobdell,                     10                 10

C G Langdon,                   10

Wm Langdon,                    10

L R Leighton,                  10

H S Lay,                       10                 10

John Mears,                    10                 10

J L Miller,                    10

D F Moore,                     10

D W Milk,                      10

M L M,                         10                 10

J T Mitchell,                  10                 10

H C Miller,                    10                 10

G W Newman,                    10                 10

C A Nichols,                   10                 10

J C Nicola,                    10                 10

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Names.                     Pledges.        Paid.

N S Preston,                   10

J W Pennock,                   10                 10

A B Pearsall,                  10                 10

Alex. Paton,                   10                 10

Jane Ralston,                  10

M E Reynolds,                  10                 10

Chas. Rifle,                   10                  1

S W Rhodes,                    10                 10

Uriah Smith,                   10                 10

Alex. Seymour,                 10                  5

L O Stowell & wife,            10

A G Smith,                     10                  5

Jas. Sawyer,                   10                  6

Robert Sawyer & wife,          10                 10

C Stillman,                    10                 10

Albert Sawyer,                 10

H C Stone,                     10                 10

T Smith,                       10                 10

Elizabeth Sparks,              10

Two friends,                   10                 10

Jesse Van Syoc,                10                 10

John Wakeling,                 10

H P Wakefield,                 10                 10

A C Woodbury,                  10                 10

B L Whitney,                   10                 10

L Wilkinson,                   10                 10

E S Walker,                    10                 10

H J Wescott,                   10                 10

A Friend,                       5                  5

Rosetta R Abbey,                5                  5

E H Ames,                       5                  5

D Andre,                        5                  5

R F Andrews,                    5                  5

Mary M Andrews,                 5                  5

G W Amadon,                     5                  2

A Atwood,                       5

H Atwood,                       5

W P Andrews,                    5                  5

A Friend,                       5                  5

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Names.                     Pledges.        Paid.

A B Atwood,                     5                  5

A friend in R I,                5                  5

W N Brown,                      5                  5

W H Ball,                       5                  5

Albert Belden,                  5                  5

M G & D J Burnham,              5

Leroy Bunce,                    5                  5

Ben N Berry,                    5                  5

Wm Buckland & wife,             5                  5

E P Burdit,                     5                  5

Elizabeth G Bartholomew,        5                  5

Albert Boswick,                 5                  5

J I Boswick & wife,             5

Thomas Brooks,                  5

J W Bacheller,                  5

John Ballenger,                 5                  5

H G Buck,                       5                  5

Gertrude Brown,                 5                  5

Lewis Bean,                     5                  3

T J Bosworth,                   5                  5

Martha A Baker,                 5                  5

Joseph Bates,                   5                  5

D J Burroughs,                  5

Z Brooks,                       5                  5

Geo W Barker,                   5                  5

O F Brockway,                   5

Wm Boynton,                     5                  5

E W Bliven,                     5

L W Carr,                       5                  5

Ella Cranson,                   5                  5

Mary Capin,                     5                  5

F T Cottrell,                   5

L R Chapel,                     5                  5

D Curtiss,                      5                  5

M N Cross,                      5                  1

J P Christenson,                5                  5

L P Cross,                      5                  1

M B Cyphers,                    5                  5

G W Chamberlain,                5                  5

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Names.                     Pledges.        Paid.

W B Castle,                     5

Wm F Crous,                     5

S W Carr,                       5

H Crosbie,                      5                  5

M Edson,                        5                  5

A J Emans,                      5

N W Emery,                      5                  5

Harriet Everts,                 5                  5

O S Eddy,                       5                  5

J S Farnsworth,                 5                  5

J Q Foy,                        5                  5

Benj Farnham,                   5                  5

N T Furman,                     5

L M Freeto,                     5                  5

T P Finch,                      5                  5

J E Freeman,                    5

H A Fenner,                     5                  5

E S Faxon,                      5

H Fellows,                      5                  5

B B Frances,                    5

Peter Ferciot,                  5                  5

Eliza Ferciot,                  5                  5

H W Gordon,                     5                  5

Short Glascock,                 5

Mary Glascock,                  5                  5

E P Giles & wife,               5

A Graham,                       5                  5

Leander Graves,                 5

J B Goodrich,                   5                  5

Charles S Glover,               5                  5

Joel Gulick,                    5                  5

O F Gilford,                    5                  5

Mary Gilford,                   5                  5

J B Gregory,                    5                  5

G G Green,                      5

Wm Gonter,                      5                  5

A G Hutchins,                   5                  5

Leonard Hastings,               5                  5

E Harris,                       5                  5

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Names.                     Pledges.        Paid.

Carrie Hart,                    5                  5

Wm Herald,                      5

Christian Houser,               5

E O Hammond & wife,             5

W H Hafer,                      5                  5

L M Hall,                       5                  5

John Heligass,                  5                  5

T Hare,                         5                  5

H B Haywood,                    5                  5

S N Haskell,                    5                  5

M A House,                      5                  5

L L Howard,                     5                  5

W J Haynes,                     5                  5

Russell Hoag,                   5                  5

Matthew Hutchins,               5                  5

B F Hicks,                      5                  5

H Hopkins,                      5

E A Hopkins,                    5                  5

A H Hall,                       5                  5

E R Jones,                      5                  5

Charles Jones,                  5                  5

C M Joslin,                     5

D W Johnson,                    5                  5

Charles H Jones,                5

J H Jaquith,                    5                  5

Albert Kellogg,                 5                  5

S M Kellogg,                    5

Wm Kerr,                        5                  5

Mary J Kay,                     5                  5

Mary King,                      5                  5

J B Lamson,                     5                  5

J G Lamson,                     5                  5

Andrew Lindsay,                 5                  5

Catherine Lindsay,              5                  5

S H Lane,                       5                  5

E B Lane,                       5                  5

R J Lawrence,                   5                  5

J W Landes,                     5                  5

J A Loughhead,                  5                  5

16

Names.                     Pledges.        Paid.

Jennie Mitchel,                 5                  5

J Mousehunt,                    5                  5

Caroline Manly,                 5                  5

J H Morrison,                   5

M Miller,                       5                  5

Wm Morton,                      5

John McGregor,                  5                  5

M S Marvin,                     5                  5

Elijah Macomber,                5

M S Mariam,                     5                  5

C W Olds,                       5                  5

M J Olds,                       5                  5

W B Prentice,                   5                  5

D C Philips,                    5                  5

W W Putnam,                     5                  5

Henry Pierce,                   5                  5

Joseph Perry,                   5                  5

P C Rodman & wife,              5                  5

R Ralph,                        5                  5

Charles Rogers,                 5                  5

C R Ross,                       5                  5

Leonard Ross,                   5                  5

A J Richmond,                   5                  5

H J Rich,                       5                  5

Mary Robinson,                  5                  5

David Robbins,                  5                  5

Mary Rigby,                     5

N R Rigby,                      5

C Smith,                        5                  5

G W Strickland,                 5                  5

J F Sindlinger,                 5

E A Stone,                      5                  5

J A Smith,                      5                  5

R L Simpson,                    5                  5

Fayette N Satterlee,            5                  5

W L Saxby,                      5

J Saxby,                        5                  5

Hannah Sawyer,                  5

D M Stites,                     5                  1.75

17

Names.                     Pledges.        Paid.

J M St John,                    5

J Stowell,                      5

Charles Stratton,               5                  5

Hattie Stone,                   5                  5

W D Sharp,                      5

Geo Smith,                      5                  5

W W Stebbins,                   5                  5

Hiram Stebbins,                 5

Martha W Steere,                5                  5

T E Thorp,                      5

Trespass Offering,              5                  5

J E Titus,                      5                  5

C Van Horn,                     5                  5

Lewis Vanorman,                 5                  5

Sophrona Wilkinson,             5                  5

N J & E Walsworth,              5                  5

R Webster,                      5                  5

H C Winslow,                    5

Lucinda Wales,                  5                  2

Daniel Wilcox,                  5                  1

J H Waggoner,                   5                  5

H S Woolsey,                    5                  5

D B Webber,                     5                  5

D A Wetmore,                    5                  4

John W Wolfe,                   5

R M Warren,                     5                  5

E G Witter,                     5                  5

Marcus Ashley,                  3                  3

Wm R H Avery,                   3                  3

Hiram Abbott,                   3                  3

Lillie D Abbey,                 3                  3

P M Bates,                      3                  3

S R Bean,                       3

Mary A Berry,                   3                  3

John Clarke,                    3                  3

L E Clarke,                     3                  3

Joseph Clarke,                  3                  3

Sarah Clarke,                   3

18

Names.                     Pledges.        Paid.

M J Cross,                      3

W H Colcord,                    3                  3

Louis Dysert,                   3

Erastus Dickens,                3                  3

Ann C Edgar,                    3                  3

Irwin Edgerton,                 3

John P Farnsworth,              3                  3

Sr Field,                       3                  3

J M Foster,                     3

S M Foster,                     3

Reuben Griggs,                  3                  3

G B Gaskill,                    3                  3

L M Gilford,                    3                  3

Addie D Hutchins,               3                  3

A S Hutchins,                   3                  3

L G Huntley,                    3                  3

Betsey Landon,                  3                  3

W F Minisee,                    3                  3

Hosea Mead,                     3                  3

James Pierce,                   3                  3

S C Perry,                      3                  3

M E Parker,                     3                  3

R M Pierce,                     3                  3

C L Sweet,                      3                  3

James G Sterling,               3                  3

C C Spear,                      3

Edward Stafford,                3                  3

J G Soule,                      3                  3

Austa L Sawyer,                 3                  3

James Stiles,                   3                  3

C H Tubbs,                      3                  3

J E Wilson,                     3                  3

B H Avery,                      2                  2

John Adams,                     2                  2

Sarah Anderson,                 2                  2

Linda Austin,                   2                  2

J W Adams,                      2                  2

Joseph Boyd,                    2                  2

F N Bartholomew,                2                  2

19

Names.                     Pledges.        Paid.

H Burdick,                      2

G Brown,                        2

Wm Boylan,                      2                  2

Geo D Bellow,                   2                  2

D M Bemis,                      2

Geo W Burnham,                  2                  2

Asa Bee,                        2                  2

H J Bonifield,                  2

C S Briggs,                     2                  2

R M Bullock,                    2                  2

John Corliss,                   2                  2

John Cluxton,                   2                  2

Gertrude Cobb,                  2

Alfred Chase,                   2                  2

A A Cross,                      2

H D Cony,                       2                  2

L B Caswell,                    2                  2

Wm Carthy,                      2

M J Chapman,                    2                  2

E M Crandall,                   2                  2

Permelia P Dickey,              2                  2

Edna Dunn,                      2                  2

A M Degraw,                     2                  2

Mary E Downs,                   2                  2

C B Deyarmond,                  2                  2

Lucretia Day,                   2                  2

Amy E Dartt,                    2                  2

Wm Dawson,                      2                  2

Myron Dunn,                     2

R S R Dudley,                   2                  2

Sister Eaton,                   2                  2

Maggie Edgerton,                2

Albert Erway,                   2                  2

A A Fairfield,                  2                  2

D C Frothingham,                2                  2

Paulina Gregory,                2                  2

L M Gates,                      2                  2

A M Gravel,                     2

Adaline Gregory,                2                  2

20

Names.                     Pledges.        Paid.

A C Gilbert,                    2                  2

Platt Gould,                    2                  2

W A Gould,                      2

Wm C Gage,                      2                  2

A L Guilford,                   2                  2

L M Guilford,                   2                  2

Delia C Gardner,                2                  2

Lewis Haskill,                  2                  2

A Hall,                         2                  2

L Hadden,                       2

Lovina Haughey,                 2                  2

Perry Holloway,                 2

M E Haskell,                    2

M S Huntley,                    2                  2

S W Hastings,                   2                  2

C R Holiday,                    2                  2

M C Holiday,                    2

Perry Holloway,                 2                  2

H Hammond,                      2                  2

H S Hull,                       2                  2

A D Jones,                      2                  2

C Z June,                       2                  2

L Kinsley,                      2                  2

P B Kneeland,                   2                  2

H L Kelsey,                     2                  2

John Kellogg,                   2                  2

Bro Kneeland,                   2                  2

Almeda Lucas,                   2                  2

Asa Lockwood,                   2                  2

H Loop,                         2

John T Lane,                    2                  2

John Marsh,                     2                  2

S F Merrill,                    2                  2

J Martin,                       2

J H Minnisee,                   2                  2

Jas McCourt,                    2                  2

L A Marsh,                      2                  2

N ------,                       2                  2

G K Owen,                       2                  2

21

Names.                     Pledges.        Paid.

Esther Olson,                   2                  2

C W Osborn,                     2                  2

R T Payne,                      2                  2

Sophia Post,                    2                  2

J B Paul,                       2

Mary J Prosser,                 2

Sarah B Pierce,                 2                  2

Jane Prosser,                   2                  2

J L Prescott,                   2                  2

A B Rust,                       2                  2

D W Randall,                    2                  2

J S Rogers,                     2                  2

Martha Robinson,                2                  2

Richard Sisley,                 2                  2

A C Smith,                      2                  2

Jacob Shipley,                  2                  2

Dorcas Styles,                  2                  2

S N Snyder,                     2                  2

O P Simons,                     2

J Saunders,                     2                  2

C F Saxby,                      2

G W Sappington,                 2

W A Towle,                      2

L T Van Horn,                   2                  2

C C Van Horn,                   2                  2

Wm Vanard,                      2

Edgar Wolcott,                  2

Lewis Wilson,                   2                  2

L S Wetherwax,                  2                  2

H C West,                       2                  2

Richard Williams,               2

T Wilson,                       2

Ambrose White,                  2                  2

Betsey Wilcox,                  2                  2

John Wilson,                    2                  2

Samuel Wilkinson,               2                  2

James Youll,                    2                  2

N Adams,                        1

Mary Allen,                     1                  1

22

Names.                     Pledges.        Paid.

C B Austin,                     1                  1

Peter Abbey,                    1                  1

H N Austin,                     1                  1

A L Austin,                     1                  1

M H Bates,                      1                  1

S J Brown,                      1

Theodore Brackett,              1                  1

Ezra Brackett,                  1                  1

Wm Bryant,                      1                  1

H H & L A Bramhall,             1                  1

S T Belden,                     1                  1

J E Baker,                      1                  1

C C Blanchard,                  1                  1

T Bryant,                       1                  1

James D Bimble,                 1

Wm Balser,                      1                  1

E C Buckland,                   1                  1

Lydia Bolton,                   1                  1

E L Bascom,                     1                  1

Mary Beach,                     1                  1

Susannah Brown,                 1                  1

H Bellou,                       1                  1

Mary Bellou,                    1                  1

J M Bellou,                     1                  1

J L Baker,                      1

John D Brown,                   1

Lydia Bowman,                   1

G R Bates,                      1

Mrs M Benedict,                 1                  1

A Burwell,                      1                  1

Martha Baker,                   1                  1

L Berry,                        1                  1

G B Bardwell,                   1                  1

A Barnes,                       1                  1

S Bowers,                       1                  1

John G Brown,                   1                  1

Mason Ganson,                   1                  1

H C Crumb,                      1                  1

A E Church,                     1                  1

23

Names.                     Pledges.        Paid.

Stephen Cobb,                   1

S T Chamberlain,                1                  1

S R Crous,                      1

C S Clarke,                     1                  1

John Cole,                      1                  1

I D Cramer & wife,              1                  1

V O Cross,                      1                  1

C G Cramer,                     1                  1

James Crandall,                 1

W M Coats,                      1                  1

Nettie Curtis,                  1

Catharine Carrier,              1

A Cobb,                         1

J M Downs,                      1                  1

Delia S Dean,                   1                  1

Margaret Dickinson,             1                  1

Sally Dunten,                   1                  1

A Dickens,                      1                  1

C L Davis,                      1                  1

F M Davis,                      1

Anna Driscall,                  1                  1

T B Dewing,                     1

M A Emans,                      1                  0.60

Hannah Erway,                   1                  1

M B Fairfield,                  1                  1

E R Fairfield,                  1                  1

Melinda Felshaw,                1                  1

Amanda Felshaw,                 1                  1

Adelaide Felshaw,               1                  1

Sarah Furgerson,                1                  1

M S Finch,                      1                  1

P Ferren,                       1                  1

S Ferren,                       1                  1

W J Foss,                       1

W P French,                     1                  1

O P Gleason,                    1

John H Green,                   1                  1

Jane Glover,                    1                  1

Wm Gulick,                      1                  1

24

Names.                     Pledges.        Paid.

C E Gazen,                      1                  1

Alzina Green,                   1

Amos P Green,                   1                  1

Jason P Green,                  1                  1

Albert C Green,                 1                  1

S F Gove,                       1                  1

N Hoyt,                         1                  1

L Harrington,                   1                  1

Henry Herns,                    1

Lydia B Heath,                  1                  1

Mary E Hadden,                  1

J A Hatch,                      1                  1

S Haskell,                      1                  1

M A Herald,                     1

Asa Hayes,                      1                  1

Elizabeth Ann Hay,              1                  1

Jane Hervy,                     1                  1

M J Herrick,                    1

Mary J Hendrich,                1                  1

W Hastings,                     1

A C Hendrich,                   1                  1

E Van Hauten,                   1                  1

Harvey Harding,                 1

Noah Holloway,                  1

Rodney Henderson,               1                  1

Florence D Howe,                1                  1

F G Holly,                      1                  1

C O Holly,                      1                  1

Sarah J Hunt,                   1                  1

J B Irish,                      1                  1

Wm Jones,                       1                  1

L June,                         1                  1

C Jenson,                       1                  1

G E Kelsey,                     1                  1

F Kundert,                      1                  1

M A King,                       1                  1

Damaris Kellogg,                1                  1

L A Kittle,                     1                  1

Leander Kellogg,                1                  1

25

Names.                     Pledges.        Paid.

Lucius A Kellogg,               1

E A Kellogg,                    1                  1

L S King,                       1                  1

Euphrates Lake,                 1                  1

Wm S Lane,                      1                  1

Miranda C Lane,                 1                  1

Maria W Leonard,                1                  1

Sarah Lane,                     1                  1

Libbie Lester,                  1                  1

Maria T Lane,                   1                  1

L S McClure,                    1                  1

J L Miller,                     1                  1

H W Miller,                     1                  1

Samuel Mountford,               1

M J McCullum,                   1                  1

S Martin,                       1                  1

Wm Martin,                      1                  1

B F Merritt,                    1

Annie Morrow,                   1                  1

Hattie Morrow,                  1                  1

Sarah Niles,                    1                  1

Henry Olmstead,                 1                  1

J M Porter,                     1                  1

Amaretta Paton,                 1                  1

John B Pratt,                   1                  1

Nancy Pierce,                   1                  1

E A Pierce,                     1                  1

H H Pierce,                     1                  1

Aaron Pennell,                  1                  1

Henry Philips,                  1

D A Robbins,                    1                  1

Louis Richmond,                 1

Paulina Russel,                 1

D W Russell,                    1

Olive M Russell,                1                  1

Leroy Russell,                  1                  1

Mrs D Richmond,                 1                  1

L G Reddington,                 1                  1

Joseph Rooker,                  1                  1

26

Names.                     Pledges.        Paid.

C Rogers,                       1                  1

A J Stover,                     1                  1

O B Sevey,                      1                  1

A F Stancel,                    1

Mary Sisley,                    1                  1

C G Satterlee,                  1                  1

H A St John,                    1

D M Stiles,                     1

Sarah F Sharpe,                 1

S Salisbury,                    1                  1

Helen Sturdivant,               1

C M Shepherd,                   1                  1

Arther J Saxby,                 1                  1

Jason C Sutton,                 1                  1

M L Saxby,                      1                  1

W H Saxby,                      1                  1

Charles Seaward,                1                  1

H E Saterly,                    1                  1

E P Sanborn,                    1                  1

Mary Scott,                     1                  1

S Sellers,                      1                  1

Sarah A Sellers,                1                  1

Caroline Steer,                 1

D H Simons,                     1                  1

Catharine Scharer,              1                  1

Abel Tuttle,                    1                  1

J C Tucker,                     1                  1

E Tarbox,                       1                  1

C True,                         1                  1

M Vader,                        1

E W Van Haut,                   1                  1

Charles Wolcott,                1                  1

Sarah J Wakeling,               1                  1

Wm Wilson,                      1

Mrs E A Wheaton,                1                  1

M E Williams,                   1                  1

O D Washburn,                   1                  1

Harriet Wolfe,                  1

J C Witter,                     1

27

Names.                     Pledges.        Paid.

E Whitaker,                     1                  1

Sarah Washington,               1                  1

Sister Woodworth,               1                  1

Lucinda C Williams,             1                  1

S W Willey,                     1                  1

E Wycoff,                       1

Ira Witter,                     1

Charles Woodman,                1                  1

Calvin Weed,                    1                  1

A Valmer,                       1                  1

James M Wilkinson,              1                  1

J Abbot,                        0.50               0.50

A friend,                       0.50               0.50

Jarvis T Ashley,                0.50               0.50

Lucretia Abbey,                 0.50               0.50

Amos Amburn,                    0.50               0.50

R Adams,                        0.50               0.50

J W Blake,                      0.50               0.50

Ellen Balser,                   0.50               0.50

Sarah A Bourdeau,               0.50               0.50

George Butcher,                 0.50               0.50

C A Belden,                     0.50               0.50

Eliza Burbee,                   0.50               0.50

Carrie M Baker,                 0.50               0.50

J L Burwell,                    0.50               0.50

Laura Briggs,                   0.50               0.50

E Buckland,                     0.50               0.50

Ellen Bellou,                   0.50               0.50

L Bliss,                        0.50               0.50

T Coburn,                       0.50               0.50

A B Castle,                     0.50               0.50

Sarah M Clarke,                 0.50               0.50

Isabella Clarke,                0.50               0.50

Clark Crandal,                  0.50               0.50

Emma Corson,                    0.50               0.50

Charlotte E Childs,             0.50               0.50

F C Castle,                     0.50               0.50

A A Carter,                     0.50               0.50

Sarah Davis,                    0.50               0.50

28

Names.                     Pledges.        Paid.

E L Dean,                       0.50               0.50

D C Elmer,                      0.50               0.50

Carrie Ellis,                   0.50               0.50

Agnes Ellis,                    0.50               0.50

Lucinda Green,                  0.50

Sarah Guising,                  0.50               0.50

Henry G Green,                  0.50               0.50

Smith Green,                    0.50               0.50

John B Green,                   0.50               0.50

Nancy Grant,                    0.50               0.50

E P Giles,                      0.50               0.50

J Giles,                        0.50               0.50

Nettie Green,                   0.50               0.50

S A Goodrich,                   0.50               0.50

S J Hurst,                      0.50

H P Hopkins,                    0.50               0.50

Libbie Hopkins,                 0.50               0.50

Asa Hazeltine,                  0.50               0.50

Mary Holland,                   0.50               0.50

E P Holly,                      0.50               0.50

Smith Herrick,                  0.50               0.50

Charlotte Hills,                0.50               0.50

George A Holland,               0.50               0.50

Thone Johnson,                  0.50               0.50

Alma C Kellogg,                 0.50               0.50

Adelia E Kellogg,               0.50

R Keck,                         0.50               0.50

M A Kilgore,                    0.50               0.50

E Lake,                         0.50               0.50

Betsey Morrill,                 0.50               0.50

L W Marlin,                     0.50

M Munsel,                       0.50               0.50

J P Munsel,                     0.50               0.50

F Morrow,                       0.50               0.50

M B Miller,                     0.50               0.50

M T Marks,                      0.50               0.50

A A Marks,                      0.50               0.50

P Marvin,                       0.50               0.50

Christopher Oliver,             0.50               0.50

29

Names.                     Pledges.        Paid.

Caroline Oliver,                0.50               0.50

Edward Olson,                   0.50               0.50

Martin Olson,                   0.50               0.50

C E Philips,                    0.50               0.50

J L Powel,                      0.50               0.50

David Pettis,                   0.50               0.50

Elizabeth Parks,                0.50               0.50

M Parsons,                      0.50               0.50

J C Powell,                     0.50               0.50

Lester Russell,                 0.50               0.50

P Robinson,                     0.50               0.50

Sarah Robinson,                 0.50               0.50

Mary Ann Snow,                  0.50               0.50

Harriet Stonely,                0.50

E A Seely,                      0.50               0.50

E Smouse,                       0.50

L B Tucker,                     0.50               0.50

M H Waggoner,                   0.50               0.50

Eliza Weed,                     0.50               0.50

James Wilson,                   0.50               0.50

Calvin Weed,                    0.50               0.50

L A West,                       0.50               0.50

Amelia Wilson,                  0.50               0.50

J Young,                        0.50               0.50

Mary Allen,                     0.25               0.25

A sister,                       0.75               0.75

B G Allen,                      0.93               0.93

James T Ashley,                 0.25               0.25

C R Austin,                     0.90               0.90

Sylva Austin,                   0.25               0.25

H P Boston,                     0.65               0.65

Elva A Brink,                   0.25               0.25

L J Baker,                      4                  4

Horace Barr,                    0.87               0.87

Betsey J Barr,                  0.43               0.43

Mary L Bourdeau,                0.25               0.25

Cornelia E Bourdeau,            0.25               0.25

Elizabeth Bates,                1.50               1.50

George L Brown,                 0.20               0.20

30

Names.                     Pledges.        Paid.

Thomas Brown,                   0.80               0.80

Elsie Brigham,                  0.60               0.60

N S Brigham,                    1.20               1.20

S A Bullock,                    2.50               2.50

G W Colcord,                    6                  6

S Crosbie,                      7.00               7.00

Josiah Carpenter & wife,        4.00

Wm Cottrell,                   12.50              12.50

Same place,                    12.50              12.50

A J Chipman,                    0.60               0.60

W E Caviness,                   3.50               3.50

B C Chandler,                   0.25               0.25

Comb Chapman,                   0.25               0.25

Wm C Caviness,                  2.50               2.50

L Dike,                         0.25               0.25

E Dahlgrien,                    0.25               0.25

Mrs A Davids,                   0.25               0.25

Dennis Durgin,                  1.25               1.25

Sister De Cow,                  0.25               0.25

A A Downs,                      0.25               0.25

Harriet Evans,                  0.75               0.75

M Evans,                        0.70               0.70

C B Eels,                       1.25               1.25

Mrs Jos Ferow,                  0.25               0.25

F E Frothingham,                4.00               4.00

Olive M Finch,                  0.25               0.25

Lucy Gould,                    12.00               2.00

Marcus Gould,                  12.00               2.00

R D Guild,                      0.75               0.75

Una Gould,                      0.75               0.25

Mrs L A Grover,                 0.25               0.25

C Green,                       10.50              10.50

H Gould,                        4.50               4.50

Elbridge Green,                 3.50               3.50

Jennie Hudson,                  0.10               0.10

Ella Holland,                   0.25               0.25

Lucy Holloway,                  0.25               0.25

A H Hall & wife,                3.50               3.50

Samuel J Hersom,               11.00              11.00

31

Names.                     Pledges.        Paid.

S E Hull,                       0.25               0.25

A R Hayden,                     0.45               0.45

Johan Hanson,                   0.75               0.75

A Hopkins,                      0.25               0.25

F Hervy,                        0.25               0.25

Franklin Howe,                  2.50               2.50

Rhoda Howe,                     2.50               2.50

A J,                            0.25               0.25

Anna A Jordan,                  0.25               0.25

Martin W Jordan,                0.20               0.20

Harriet D Jordan,               0.10               0.10

Charlie F Kellogg,              0.10               0.10

M E Keeler,                     0.25               0.25

Ida M King,                     0.25               0.25

Julia A King,                   2.75               2.75

C Leeman,                       2.50               2.50

Friends in Leslie, Mich.,      10.50              10.50

C L Munger,                     0.60               0.60

J S Miller,                     6.00               6.00

Agnes Mc Allister,              2.50               2.50

Clara Martin,                   0.25               0.25

Mary Morton,                    0.25               0.25

A S Miller,                     0.25               0.25

E Miller,                       0.25               0.25

Celia Martin,                   0.10               0.10

B M & E P Osgood,               1.50               1.50

Mother Oliver,                  0.25               0.25

M B Pierce,                     0.70               0.70

L Putman,                       0.10               0.10

C A Prince,                     7.00               7.00

H L Richmond,                   8.00               8.00

Ellen Rankin,                   2.50               2.50

Melissa Rankin,                 2.50               2.50

A Rathburn,                     0.15               0.15

W H Russell,                    1.50               1.50

Sarah Richardson,               0.70               0.70

M E Smith,                      0.25               0.25

L Schellhouse,                  1.75               1.75

Mary J Shattuck,                0.25               0.25

32

Names.                     Pledges.        Paid.

Elizabeth Stiles,               0.25               0.25

Elvira A Sevey,                 0.75               0.75

Libbie Squire,                  0.25               0.25

E B Saunders,                   2.50               2.50

John Sisley,                    1.25               1.25

Sarah Travis,                   0.60

Robert H Tift,                  4

G H Truesdell,                 17.50              17.50

Catharine Tosh,                 0.25               0.25

A True,                         4.00               4.00

R S Tilton,                     2.25

Bertie Wilcox,                  0.25               0.25

Hattie Wales,                   0.25               0.25

Geo Wales,                      0.10               0.10

S B Whitney & wife,             6.00               6.00

Freddie Wales,                  1.25               0.25

Willie Wales,                   0.75               0.25

W J Wilson,                     2.50               2.50

C A Washburn,                   2.50               2.50

L B Webber,                     1.20               1.20

Son of Bro. & Sr. Smouse

(deceased), silver,             1.00               1.00

CONDITION OF THE FUND

The amount received since Sept. 1, 1868, is $5 190.83

The entire sum expended is 1,013.20 ----------------

There remains in the treasury $4,177.63

With these figures before us, we enter upon the work of publishing and distributing books, pamphlets and tracts, with feelings of encouragement such as we have never before enjoyed. In the fear of God, and in the love of the truth, we mean, by the grace of God, to do our duty. JAMES WHITE. Battle Creek, Mich., June 10, 1869.

GIVING

"How much ought I to give to charitable objects?"

That depends upon a previous question.

"A previous question! and pray what is that?"

It is simply: Are you your own man? or are you a steward?

"Oh! of course I am a steward."

Then your first question is easily answered. As a steward, you are entrusted with the property of your Master. Every dollar and every dime of that property is to be invested for him, according to your best judgment, with undeviating regard to his interests. You know what those interests are. He has proclaimed them very widely.

Here is one form of his proclamation: "God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." You see his object; it is to save the world; and you see his contribution to the object; his only begotten Son. Of course this object is immensely dear to him; and, as you hope to find favor with God, you will not scruple to follow his lead, in the spirit of the largest liberality.

"Certainly; but then, you see, this don't meet my difficulty as to how much I ought to give. It is all very well, you know, but too general to be of any use."

To me it seems exceedingly minute. It points to

34

what our Lord has done and suffered; and on this basis lays claim to all you have and are. But here is another form of proclamation that is very precise: "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, soul, mind, and strength, and thy neighbor as thyself." You see you are to give so much, and in such ways, as will exactly correspond with this measure of love. Isn't that plain?

"You have a curious way of putting things. Instead of answering my question straight out, you go to preaching a kind of a sermon."

Ah! you thought, perhaps, that I would say ten per cent, or twenty per cent, of your income. But having admitted that you are only a steward, it follows that the income, being his income, is in trust, as well as the principal. This is no sermon, my friend; it is only a statement of fact. Is it not absolutely true, and plain as the sun at noonday? You are to devote your entire income to the promotion of your Master's object. I have already stated that his object is to save the world. But as you call for particulars, here is a more particular utterance: "He will have all men to come unto the knowledge of the truth." "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." Now, in the exercise of your best judgment, you may go or send. If you go, I understand him to say that you may "live of the gospel;" that you are exempt from the task of money-making; but if you send, you are bound to be large-hearted, and to send as many preachers as the property intrusted to you will permit. You may choose between one field and another; you may have your option of the zones, temperate, torrid, or frigid; you may elect the living speaker, or the printed page; but you are to hasten to give the gospel

35

to every creature; and, to the extent of your ability, with your own lips, and out of the abundance of your heart, you are to declare it. You are to spare no pains, and to keep back no money until all men have received the truth.

"But would you have me clothe myself and my family in homespun, and live on bread and water?"

I have no instructions on those points. I only know that we have a generous Master, who says, "No good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly." He also says, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you. For your Heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of these things." If you find that in broadcloth you can reach and save more souls, by all means wear it; he'll never grudge the outlay. One of his most exemplary stewards says, "Unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to the weak I became as weak, that I might gain the weak; I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some." Do but keep this same end in view, and you are free to use your own judgment as to dress and diet.

But be not deceived, my dear friend; God is not mocked; be one thing or another. If you are in truth a steward, hold fast by that, and regulate your life accordingly. Don't play at fast and loose with him, of whom an ancient worthy says, "Thou hast searched me and known me. Thou knowest my down-sitting and mine uprising; thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways." Better not vow, than vow and not pay. If the Lord be indeed your God, serve him; and serve him generously.

36

Give him your whole heart. Has it never occurred to you that you have a wealth of love to lavish, not yet drawn upon, could you but find an object worthy of all you have to give?

Have you never turned in disappointment from the pursuits which engross you? saying, with him whose range was even wider than your own, "What profit hath a man of all his labor which he taketh under the sun? All things are full of labor; man cannot utter it; the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing." Is not this true to your own experience? Then do not trifle with your stewardship. Come to Jesus, with all your resources of love and labor. First of all give yourself to him. Be it that you think you have already done so; some flaw there surely has been in your deed of dedication, or you would never puzzle over a question so superficial as, How much ought I to give to charitable objects? This question is no question to him who is truly and thoroughly a steward.

The loving friend of our most loving Lord can never doubt his own welcome to all he needs; nor does he imagine that Jesus is in any degree dependent upon us. "Hear, O my people, and I will speak. I will not reprove thee for thy sacrifices, or thy burnt offerings continually before me [albeit you have offered the maimed and the blind]. I will take no bullock out of thy house, nor he-goats out of thy folds. For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills. I know all the fowls of the mountains; and the wild beasts of the field are mine. If I were hungry I would not tell thee; for the world is mine, and the fullness thereof."

For your own benefit, I permit you to bring me

37

your offerings; not because I need a gift, but because you need to cultivate the spirit of giving; and I value you for what you are, infinitely more than for all you do or can do. My aim is to transform you into my own image; to bring your life into harmony with mine. My life is a life of perpetual giving. Have you not read that "the heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament sheweth his handiwork?" This declaration is a priceless gift to man: that "day unto day uttereth speech" of my beneficence; and "night unto night sheweth knowledge" of it. Nor is my generosity limited to the creations of material wealth. Is not my law a gift of healing, converting the soul? The testimony of the Lord, is it not wisdom for the simple? The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes."

Such, and such like, are my gifts to you; will you debate the question, What per cent of my stewardship shall I employ for him who gave me all I have and am? Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? And if you love me, will you bargain for a separate purse? for houses and lands, for furniture and equipage? Will you raise the question, How far may a steward go in self-indulgence, and escape the challenge of his Lord? To what extent may he be heedless of his Master's aims, and not be turned out of his stewardship? Do you not see that the question, How much ought I to give to charitable objects, comes of losing sight of your being only a steward?

Perhaps you will say, "But I never intended to lose sight of it. I wish always to remember that I am a steward."

Then, dear friend, you must give and keep giving.

38

You must often renew the dedication of yourself to God, to Jesus the Great Benefactor. Be not content with giving money. So long as you permit yourself to think that money-giving meets your Lord's demands upon you, you will be exposed to the danger of a warped and biased judgment. The world is not in harmony with Jesus. The sentiment and life of almost all around you are wholly unlike the mind of Christ; and your standard will inevitably sink to their low level, unless you protect yourself by the continuous employment of all your powers for Him.

Our only safety lies in the total consecration of all we have to Christ. We must come fully under what Dr. Chalmers calls "the expulsive power of a new affection." Throw wide open your heart to Jesus. Give him full and exclusive possession. Invest for him all your powers of body, mind and heart. Then will you verify in your happy experience the truth of his own maxim, "It is more blessed to give than to receive." Be insatiable in your desires for the largest baptism of the Holy Ghost, and of love, possible for Almighty God to bestow for Christ's dear sake. Seek a higher Christian life than that which contents the vast majority of those who are called Christians. There is such a life. It is freely offered to every one; it is most freely offered to you. But remember, Jesus says, "Whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple." This is but another way of saying, The disciple of Jesus must never lose sight of his stewardship. He must divert nothing of all the property intrusted to him from the Master's intention.

In entering upon business life, thousands of Christians promise fairly that they will live and work for

39

Christ. They are going to earn money for Christ, and do good with it. But thousands of Christians - of those at least who profess to be such - are found forgetful of their first intention, submerged by the great adversary in business practices, which, little by little, extinguish every breath of spiritual life, leaving them as worldly, as covetous, as greedy of gain, as those who make no pretense that they are the stewards of the Son of God. How is this? Whence comes it? In countless instances it comes of heedlessness at the very start. It comes of forgetting that a Christian end can never sanctify unchristian means. Our Christian young men seek business with the false assumption that any business, not wrong in itself, is open to them. Nothing can be more untrue.

"Strait is the gate, and narrow is the way," that offers itself to him who is inexorably resolved that he will be "filled with the knowledge of Christ's will, in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that he will walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God." This is a high aim; and it costs much. Why should it not? It is a pearl of great price. Should not he who covets it, sell all that he has and buy it?

Is it not most seemly and suitable that the Christian's life should bear a close resemblance to that of his glorious Master? Have you forgotten that he bought you with his own most precious blood? Is there any sacrifice too great to be made for him? And can you begin too soon the habit which is to be the habit of your life - the habit of a steward? To this habit belongs the ingenuousness of unspoiled childhood; the integrity of unsophisticated youth: the unswerving firmness of noble manhood; a precious treasure intrusted to you by the Master, to be used for him. Will you barter it away for what is called "a good situation," "a handsome income?"

Once you had a disposition to befriend your fellow; a kindly interest in his welfare; a willingness to share with him your food or raiment; if he asked a mile, to go with him two, or more. Will you heed those who

40

bid you "root out all such sensibility, as you value your success in life?" "Ah!" do you say, "but what can I do? If I am to live and succeed among men, must I not do as men do? Can I set myself against the tide of the universal race?"

It is written, "They that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing." "Choose you this day whom you will serve?" If Christ be your Lord, and you his steward, choose him. And having made your choice, abide by your choice; for no man can serve two masters - masters so opposed as Christ and the world. Depend upon it, my friend, in the eye of Christ the lines are just so distinctly drawn. This is no question of percentage. Either you are the Lord's steward, or you are not. You are free to choose, for he scorns to compel the service he solicits. Serve me, he says, and I will give you wages; rich, generous, glorious wages. Follow me, and you shall be heirs of God, joint-heirs with Christ, to an inheritance which beggars the wealth of kings; "an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away." For consider - "all things are yours, and ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's." I admit you to fellowship with the King of kings.

Will you stoop from this summit to debate the question, "How much ought I to give to charitable objects?" Will you not rather present your soul and body, a living sacrifice, holy, and wholly consecrated to Him who loved you and gave himself for you? - J. W. K. SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST PUBLISHING ASSOCIATION. BATTLE CREEK, MICH. Address Elder James White.

Thus Saith the Lord

CAST thy bread upon the waters, for thou shalt find it after many days. ECCL.xi,1.

There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty. PROV.xi,24.

But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity; for God loveth a cheerful giver. 2COR.ix,6,7.

Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; that they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate, laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. 1TIM.vi,17-19.

And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury. And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites. And he said, Of a truth I say unto you that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all; for all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God; but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had. LUKE xxi,1-4.

The above passages of scripture are worthy of the especial attention of every Christian. They speak not only to the rich and to the poor, but to those in comfortable, yet humble, circumstances in life. All must have the spirit of sacrifice in order to be approved of God. And all may give according to their ability to bestow.

JAMES WHITE.