TO THE WORKERS IN ILLINOIS.
By R. F. Andrews
Dear Friends of the Truth: I wish to call your attention to the following points:— 1. “Educational Relief Fund.”—We passed a good resolution on this point at our last Conference; but we must do more than resolve. How many of us have acted up to the resolution? This enterprise should not and must not die. Many of our brethren could loan from ten to one hundred dollars without embarrassing themselves in the least; and there are very few who could not donate the sum of one dollar to this worthy cause. Let the ministers in their respective sections, and elders and leaders in the different churches, give immediate and prompt attention to this matter. The means raised may be sent to the REVIEW AND HERALD Office, Battle Creek, Mich., and credited to the “Illinois Educational Relief Fund.” When you send the money, be sure to state distinctly what it is for. 2. Missionary Work.—We must not slacken our pace in this important branch of the cause. It will soon be time for V. M. societies to renew their clubs for the Signs. Having had good crops, and fair prices, it will be a clear evidence of backsliding if we allow our clubs to diminish. They should increase. I am sorry to learn, through our State Secretary, that some of our V. M. societies are becoming slack about paying their monthly installments for the Signs; “some are two years behind.” This is all wrong, and must be corrected. The State society cannot carry this debt. Let there be a strong effort made to commence the new year with an even balance in all our societies. If such an effort is not made, it will be necessary to stop the clubs of those societies that do not meet their obligations promptly. 3. Good Health.—Every true temperance worker must be interested in the trial trip spoken of in the last number of this excellent journal. How many there are who are really perishing for the lack of the knowledge this journal will impart. “Omit no opportunity of doing good.” At the price offered, Illinois should send Good Health to at least one thousand new homes. Let this matter be attended to at once. “Strike while the iron is hot.” 4. State Treasury.—Our State treasury greatly needs replenishing. Let our brethren everywhere in the limits of our Conference see that their tithes are paid up to the close of this year. Some of our ministers have not been paid yet for their last year’s labors, and they need means which cannot be granted. There should be greater faithfulness in this matter of tithing, and more promptness in forwarding our tithes to the State treasury. We recommend that every family procure a “tithe box” (nice ones can be had at the REVIEW Office for the small sum of 25 cts.), and commence with the new year to faithfully carry out the instructions of Christ given through the apostle Paul in 1 Cor. 16:2. Come, brethren, let us prove God, and see if he will not pour us out “a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.” Mal. 3:10. 5. Carelessness.—Some have sent money to our State treasurer without even signing their names to their letters. Some write to me without date, or naming the place where the letter comes from. These, to some, may seem small matters; but they sometimes make a great amount of needless labor. Now, by doing your business correctly, you will save your officers a great amount of labor and time. Please do not crowd on a single postal card enough to fill two. Use black ink, and save the time of your servants. 6. Let us all pray and work for a revival of the work of God in our Conference.