REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON S. S. FINANCES by G. W. Colcord; W. E. Dawson; M. H. Brown

Seventh-Day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Thursday, January 8, 1880

FromThe Review and Herald, Vol. 55, No. 2

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON S. S. FINANCES.

By G. W. Colcord; W. E. Dawson; M. H. Brown

The Committee appointed by the General Conference, to which was referred the subject of the support of the Sabbath-schools, would submit the following report:—

1. Concerning the Sabbath offering we have no change to recommend. The plan seems to work admirably wherever it has had a fair trial. Different methods of receiving the donations have been practiced in different sections, and which way will prove the best, after thorough trial, time will develop.

Any plan of raising money for any cause which depends for its success upon the spirit of rivalry simply, whether individual or class, is certainly very objectionable. In the matter of giving, the principle to cultivate in our children, and the leading, paramount motive from which they should act, is that of disinterested benevolence. They should be taught to give because the means is to be used for a good and worthy object. With the matter placed before our children in a proper light, with the life of Christ held up before them to imitate, and our own lives in harmony with the principles we teach, we shall see excellent results, financially and morally.

The officers and teachers of our Sabbath-schools should consider it a part of their duty wisely and judiciously to educate the young in regard to this subject. We trust that all our Sabbath-school workers will remember that two important results are secured by the plan which has been recommended and generally adopted. (1.) A fund is raised to purchase record books, lessons for those unable to supply themselves, works of reference, maps, blackboards, etc., which no live school will long be without. (2.) The spirit of liberality and benevolence is cultivated, which is certainly a very desirable and important point to be gained.

2. We recommend that all Sabbath-school supplies that come from the REVIEW Office should be kept on hand by our State T. and M. societies, and ordered of them by our various Sabbath-schools, giving to the tract society the benefit of the discount at the office, in consideration of carrying such supplies. Schools should order of the tract society librarians where they are accessible, otherwise of the State Secretary of the T. and M. society.

Sabbath-school secretaries should report quarterly to the secretary of their State S. S. Association, as formerly, and inclose a tithe of their donations for the use of said Association. The State Association should in turn tithe its donations for the benefit of the General S. S. Association.

We believe that the above recommendations, if acted upon and carried out promptly, will, in a large degree, promote the interests and success of the Sabbath-school cause.

All of which is respectfully submitted.

G. W. COLCORD, W. E. DAWSON, M. H. BROWN, } Committee.