p. 24 | Review and Herald, Vol. 92, No. 36. (7/22/1915)

Earlier text: Sunday Enforcement in Oklahoma

The Midsummer Offering

By I. H. EVANS

The North American Division Conference has fixed Sabbath, July 24, as the time for taking the Midsummer Offering. This date was selected as one that would be most convenient for our people generally, and would afford the best prospects for a large offering. It is hoped that this offering will be the largest Midsummer Offering taken in many years. (We have every reason to be encouraged with the development of the work both at home and abroad. Never has there been a time in the history of the third angel’s message when conditions were more favorable for reaching the public, nor has there ever been a more earnest call for men and means with which to prosecute our work in heathen lands, than now. (Everywhere the Macedonian cry is being heard, and it is the duty of God’s people to send to the front large recruiting forces.

The president of one of our union conferences, in writing to his workers concerning the Midsummer Offering, says:—

“We as workers are leaders in the greatest propaganda this world has ever witnessed, and our work at home is strong just in proportion to our interest in the regions beyond. The best way to strengthen our stakes is to lengthen our cords.

“The treasurer of our Mission Board informs me of a general deficit, on June 1, on the twenty-cent-a-week plan, of $116,775.77. The Northern Union is responsible to the amount of $5,000 for this condition, and it is to make up our part of this responsibility that I am appealing to you through this letter.

“It seems to me that, ‘knowing the time’ as we do, of all the funds for which we are responsible our mission funds should not be behind. I desire to appeal to every worker in the Northern Union Conference to take this responsibility to heart, and let us unitedly work for one of the largest donations ever rolled up by our people upon the occasion of the Midsummer Offering.

“There is no set rule nor manufactured program to follow that will bring results. We must let our responsibility rest like a millstone upon our hearts, and ‘work as though everything depended upon us individually, and pray as though everything depended upon God.’”

We trust that every union and local conference president in North America will take hold of this Midsummer Offering in the way that will bring the largest results we have ever seen. The Mission Board must have the money. It is our duty and privilege to raise the full twenty cents a week, and it can be done if all will do their full duty. Let those who are rich give large donations, but let every one give something. Remember the day—Sabbath, July 24. We trust that this offering will make up a large amount of the deficit on the Twenty-cent-a-week Fund. I. H. EVANS.

Death of Sister E. G. White

By Editor

WE stop our presses to announce the sad word of the death of Sister E. G. White, which occurred at her home, near St. Helena, Cal., Friday afternoon, July 16.

After a life of nearly eighty-eight years of faithful, untiring labor for God and for her fellow men, a truly noble woman, a devoted servant of the Master, rests from her labors. The influence of her godly life will live on to gather with Christ till the final harvest.

After a funeral service in St. Helena, the remains will be taken to Battle Creek, Mich., where a final service will be held in the Tabernacle next Sabbath, July 24, in charge of Elder A. G. Daniells.

With the relatives, who sorrow in their great loss, the church in every land grieves. We shall miss her kindly admonitions, her loving counsels. But God still lives, and upon his power his work in the earth securely rests. Relying upon him, let us labor more faithfully to bring to a speedy completion, through his grace, the great work to which our sister devoted her life. Full particulars will be given later.

A Letter from Elder W. C. White

A LETTER from Elder W. C. White, dated July 7, says: ‘Mother is slowly losing ground. She talks but little now and longs for rest. It is now 144 days since the accident. What a strange world this will be to me when mother is gone!’

Wilcox Visits Washington

ELDER M. C. WILCOX, book editor of the Pacific Press Publishing Association, who has been attending camp meetings in the Northern Union Conference and a general meeting in northern New York, reached Washington last week. He will spend several days here in counsel with the Review and Herald Book Committee concerning our literature work.

Cottrell Furloughs from China

In a recent communication from Brother R. C. Porter he states that on the advice of the physicians they have released Brother R. F. Cottrell for a year's furlough. Brother and Sister Cottrell left Shanghai, June 25, on the "Manchuria." These faithful workers will be greatly missed, as Brother Cottrell had charge of the Central China Mission, a field embracing four provinces, in which our work had gained the strongest foothold of any part of China. Dr. A. C. Selmon has been released from Shanghai to take Brother Cottrell's place.

The Osbornes Return from Ecuador

A RECENT communication from Elder J. W. Westphal informs the Mission Board of the return of Brother and Sister John Osborne from Ecuador. These workers have faithfully carried forward medical missionary work up in the high altitudes of Ecuador the past four or five years, which has been greatly appreciated by the people. Their return emphasizes further the great need of laborers in this mountainous section of South America's northwest, with its almost limitless opportunities for giving the message. Let us pray that the Lord will place the burden upon other hearts to take up the responsibilities laid down by these returning missionaries.