One Dollar a Day for Missions by A. J. HETHERINGTON

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jan 25, 1912

One Dollar a Day for Missions

By A. J. HETHERINGTON

Aim of the New Orleans Sabbath-School for 1912

THE first Sabbath of this year the New Orleans Sabbath-school devoted a portion of the time to a review of God's blessings during the past year, and to a consideration of the needs of the mission fields. It was a time of encouragement and uplifting to all.

A few years ago when the school paid its local expenses out of the weekly contributions, there never was a very large offering left for the mission treasury; but from the time it was voted to give all the donations to missions, and to pay local expenses from other sources, the offerings have gradually increased. With this increase there has been a marked difference in the general welfare and prosperity of the school.

The record for 1911 contained some items worthy of mention. At the beginning of each quarter the aim of the school was to raise a definite amount for missions. Various devices were employed to record the amount of donations from week to week, and it was interesting to note that the last Sabbath of each quarter invariably placed the total amount just beyond the mark. Encouraged by the attainment of each past quarter, the mark was set a little higher for the succeeding quarter. Thus the interest grew.

During the first quarter the donations were over $51. Each succeeding quarter the amount was larger, until it reached $76.54. This was an increase of $25 during the last quarter over that of the first. All were thankful for the tangible evidence of a growing interest in missions, and considered that the definite aim for attainment had been a helpful factor.

But what of the year 1912? The work for this time is onward and the needs of the fields are increasing. It was the unanimous opinion of the school that it could not afford to do less than it was already doing. The school had raised $260 for missions during 1911; what mark should it set for 1912? Could it raise

$100 more for missions this year than had been raised last? This matter received due consideration, and it was thought that it would be a privilege to thus set the mark, or, better still, to make it one dollar a day; and this was heartily voted.

The school has an average attendance of sixty, and a spirit of willing cooperation prevails. A. J. HETHERINGTON.