TO THE BRETHREN IN ILLINOIS by R. F. Andrews

Seventh-Day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Thursday, May 20, 1880

FromThe Review and Herald, Vol. 55, No. 21

TO THE BRETHREN IN ILLINOIS.

By R. F. Andrews

BY ELD. R. F. ANDREWS.

Dear Brethren: I wish to call your attention to some very important matters in connection with our work as a Conference.

1. There are quite a number of our brethren who do not take the REVIEW, the Instructor, or Good Health. Such persons are suffering a very great loss. At our last State meeting it was decided that “an earnest effort should be put forth to place these periodicals in every Sabbath-keeping family within the bounds of our Conference.” This is a noble undertaking. If the Saviour commended his people for ministering to the physical wants of his followers (see Matt. 25: 34–36), will he not also commend them for attending to their spiritual wants? How is it, my brethren, that we should be moved to divide our last meal with the hungry,—those who are famishing for lack of bread,—while we can look on complacently, when even our brethren are famishing for lack of spiritual food? Many of them will sleep on and be lost, unless they can be roused from their stupor. They need the instruction that these periodicals contain; and to supply them with the precious printed truth is much more important than giving bread to the hungry; for spiritual things are of more moment than temporal, and an eternal life is of infinitely more value than the present.

2. How shall we bring about this very important matter? We can answer this best when we understand the reasons why our brethren do not subscribe for these papers themselves. These reasons are, carelessness, lack of interest, not realizing the importance of these periodicals, and in a few instances, it may be, the lack of means. Where a person is able to pay for these papers, and yet has not interest enough to take them, the first thing to be done is to show him the loss he is sustaining, and, if possible, to induce him to subscribe. This will be far better than to order the papers through the tract society or to have them paid for by the brethren. If a lack of means is the obstacle, brethren should be taught to economize. There are but very few families who could not retrench their expenses one cent a day; and the sum thus saved, with the addition of ten cents, would pay for these valuable periodicals at full prices. And the instruction and spiritual life they impart would be a blessing throughout the entire year. Where there’s a will there’s a way. Some may be in circumstances which render it impossible for them to pay for these periodicals themselves, and in that case it certainly is the duty of the brethren to see that they are supplied.

3. We ask all our ministers, local elders, deacons, and T. and M. officers, together with the rank and file of our people, to take hold of this work in good earnest. Let us accomplish it speedily. Time is short. Our brethren are perishing. Find out who are, and who are not, taking these papers. The tract society has undertaken this work. When persons are not able, and cannot be induced to subscribe for themselves, give their names to the director in your district, or your church librarian, and the matter will receive attention.

4. Every one who has a heart in this work is invited to send to the Treasurer of our State T. and M. Society, Lizzie S. Campbell, Belvidere, Ill., a liberal donation for this worthy object. “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” Unless our brethren take hold of this liberally, it will be a very great burden for our tract societies, and must necessarily cripple us. We have confidence that we shall receive substantial aid in this noble work.

5. The tent season is upon us; and we have had to draw nearly $200 out of our Conference fund to pay for tents. This ought not so to be. Our ministers are really in need of this money, and should have it. There is a considerable sum of money pledged for tent purposes, some of which has remained unpaid for over three years.

My brother, or sister, please do not read this over carelessly. It may be you are one of these delinquent ones; if so, redeem your pledge at once. The money is needed immediately. If you have not pledged, should you not send us help at once? Send your tent pledges and donations for tent operations to our State Conference Treasurer, J. J. Garlock, Watseka, Ill. We want to put at least five tents in the field this year. Please act with promptness.

6. Are there persons who would like to give their time as tent-masters and helpers? If so, they should write to me at once to Gilman, Ill.

The King’s business demands haste.

Gilman, April 30.