General Conference Bulletin, vol. 2

THE PRESENT SITUATION

I. H. EVANS

SUNDAY, MAY 30,—PART I.

EVERY work of reform with which God has been intimately connected since the fall of man has from time to time experienced a peculiar crisis. This condition is usually brought about by the people of God depending too much upon men, and putting too little confidence in their great Leader. We find ourselves in peculiar circumstances in the third angel’s message, at the present time, and it will be the design of this article plainly to place before our people the situation as it is. GCB April 1, 1897, page 81.3

All are well aware that the times are close financially; that while there has been an abundance of products the last year, of all that the farm and shop can produce, yet the markets have been exceedingly dull, and there has been but little profit arising from labor. While this is true, it is also true that the third angel’s message has been extending, and those who are connected with it have been laying their plans for its promulgation, entering new fields, and endeavoring in every way to make the work a success. Thus, while the number of our workers has been increased, and every line of the third angel’s message is being pushed in various directions, the hard times have come to us, and we are left in a financial depression. GCB April 1, 1897, page 81.4

The plans inaugurated at the late General Conference are, in some respects at least, radical changes as far as management is concerned. Instead of the work being practically under one general management, as heretofore, it is now arranged that the field shall be divided into four distinct parts; the General Conference, with its general supervision of the entire work, takes special oversight of the work in North America; the European Union Conference, the work in Europe; the Australasia Union Conference, the work in Australasia; and the Mission Board, the work not embraced by these Conferences. Thus we have, practically, four boards of management in operation in the various fields of the world Our general work has, in the past, been directed largely by the General Conference Committee, in conjunction with the Foreign Mission Board, and there has been practically but one treasury for both. While it is true that the work in foreign fields has been supported from the funds raised especially for that purpose, and in America from the tithes to the General Conference, yet when there was a lack of means in any branch or any field, the funds not otherwise appropriated were dispensed as necessity seemed to require. No one branch was permitted to suffer above another, for all were paid by one auditing committee and one treasurer. Now it is entirely different. Each Conference or board has its own treasurer, and controls its own funds; the Mission Board auditing the accounts of those in its employ, the General Conference in North America its laborers, while the European and Australasian Conferences are to receive appropriations from the Mission Board to assist in supporting the work in their respective Conferences. This adjustment of affairs was considered best, in order to divide the work and responsibility, equalizing the labor and burdens, and not heaping so much upon one committee or a few men. GCB April 1, 1897, page 81.5

But there is one thing in this arrangement which, at present, places the General Conference in North America in an embarrassing situation, and that is, that the funds for its use are not nearly sufficient for sustaining the work it has in charge. Let us for a moment consider the extent of territory in this Conference, and the number of workers employed. First, there is the General Conference Committee, its secretaries and clerks, the employees of the International Tract Society, the International Religious Liberty Association, and in other lines of work in this country; second, all the laborers outside of the organized Conferences in the United States and the British possessions. As our people know, we have put a large number of workers in the South the last two or three years, to say nothing of those in New Mexico, Arizona, Wyoming, Montana, and other localities. The amount of funds that the General Conference has depends upon what is given by special donations for that purpose, a tithe of the tithes of the respective State Conferences, and three fourths of the tithe of the Battle Creek church. Now the audit of the workers in this country is, at present, in excess of the receipts of the General Conference from these sources, to the amount of $30,000 per annum. This money must be made up, either by special donations or an increase of the tithes, or the workers referred to above must be dropped from the work of the General Conference. GCB April 1, 1897, page 82.1

A portion of the General Conference Committee met recently at College View, Neb.; and, after seeking the Lord earnestly for some time, it was decided to go to our brethren and lay before them the situation as it is, knowing that their interest in the work and their loyalty to the cause of God would not permit them to see the work thus crippled for lack of means. At no point in the work at the present time is there such a lack of funds as in the General Conference. Besides the support of our workers, we have a large amount of interest to pay annually, thus making our expenses above our income aggregate about $44,000. Now our people will not permit, neither can they afford to permit, the General Conference to become embarrassed and crippled in its work. It must have an interest in each line of the cause lending a helping hand to that part which is the weakest. We have thought if our brethren could understand the exact situation, they would be ready to stand by the work and help us out of our present difficulty. GCB April 1, 1897, page 82.2

Last year we had a special donation in May which assisted the cause very materially. This year it is desired to take up another donation, for it is the only way we have by which to secure means to meet immediate requirements. We lack, at present, about $18,000 to settle up the accounts of last year. We have been able to furnish the workers in the General Conference employ but a meager allowance since the first of last January. Some of our laborers are in straitened circumstances; others are not able to go to their fields of labor because we have not means to supply them, some cannot labor because they are unable to buy suitable clothing. We need about $25,000 between now and July to meet the requirements of last year’s audit, and to be able to advance to our workers means sufficient to help them remain in the field. We know that there is a spirit of sacrifice among some of our people that characterizes no other people in the world. We know there are those who deny themselves many of the comforts of life to help carry the truth to those who know it not; and let all remember that what is done for Christ’s sake, what is done to bring the light of truth to others, will meet ample reward in the kingdom of God. Not a cup of water given in the name of Christ, but the Master recognizes; not one cent given to the cause of God, or sacrifice made, or effort put forth to save a soul, but will be appreciated by him who gave his life for the world. GCB April 1, 1897, page 82.3

Economy should be practised by all Seventh-day Adventists, that they may have means to help forward this work,—economy in dress, in expenses, and in every detail of life. Our great object should be to get the present truth before our fellow men, that they may be saved. GCB April 1, 1897, page 82.4

The General Conference Committee is doing, and will do, its utmost to economize and make the means entrusted to its care go as far as possible. There will be as little expended in traveling, and otherwise, as is consistent with the rapid extension of the work. The allowance of our workers is reduced, it seems, to the smallest degree. Many are hardly able to support their families on their income. GCB April 1, 1897, page 83.1

Not only does the General Conference need money, but your prayers and hearty co-operation are needed. Most earnestly do we desire that each day every Seventh-day Adventist will pray for God’s blessing upon his work and his people. Especially let us pray for those who carry heavy burdens at this important time. Let us al be of one heart and one mind, and labor earnestly in carrying the truth to benighted souls. I. H. EVANS. GCB April 1, 1897, page 83.2