General Conference Bulletin, vol. 4

DEBTS AND DELIVERANCES

W. W. PRESCOTT

The Lord is working deliverance for his people in many ways, and we have great reason for thankfulness to him for his tender mercies. There is in some measure a revival of the advent faith and a spirit of renewed consecration to the one purpose of giving the advent message to the world in this generation. Of course there comes as a natural consequence of this experience a willingness to return to the Lord that which belongs to him in tithes and offerings, and to make greater sacrifices in order that the work of the Lord may be hastened. GCB January 1, 1902, page 600.5

The debts which have hung like a dead weight upon our schools have been one of the hindrances to the advancement of the message, but the Lord has opened the way to meet this difficulty, and has made the very means of meeting it a fourfold blessing. It is evident that this is the beginning of a great deliverance which the Lord is to work in behalf of his people and his truth in the earth. GCB January 1, 1902, page 600.6

It seemed at the time a great undertaking to assume the responsibility of relieving the Christiania Publishing House of its financial embarrassment, but the character of God as represented in his people was at stake, and there was only one right course to pursue. The Lord certainly worked with us in this matter, and he put it into the hearts of his people to respond liberally to the call which was made one year ago in behalf of the Christiania institution. Enough was realized at that time from the special collection to meet two semi-annual payments, and it was therefore unnecessary to ask for any further contributions in order to meet the December payment. GCB January 1, 1902, page 600.7

Sabbath, July 5, has now been appointed as the time for taking the next special offering for the purpose of freeing the Christiania Publishing House from debt, and we earnestly hope that the donations may be sufficient at that time to meet all remaining obligations. On the Fourth of July each year a very large sum of money is spent in this country in celebrating the Declaration of Independence, and oftentimes the money so spent is worse than wasted. Shall we not devote our means to securing a genuine independence from the bondage of debt? We should certainly have good reason for rejoicing if our united efforts on Sabbath, July 5, should result in relieving this institution from its distress, and in demonstrating to the world that there is a Christian business integrity in the conduct of the affairs of this cause which will not permit any just obligation in any part of the world to be repudiated. GCB January 1, 1902, page 600.8

Remember the date, Sabbath, July 5. GCB January 1, 1902, page 600.9

Remember the purpose, to relieve the Christiania Publishing House of the remainder of its debt. GCB January 1, 1902, page 600.10

Remember that it is the Lord’s will that this obligation should be met, and so his name should not suffer reproach among the people. GCB January 1, 1902, page 600.11

Remember that a united, self-sacrificing effort on the part of all, each according to his ability, will accomplish the desired result. GCB January 1, 1902, page 600.12

Remember that “the Lord loveth a cheerful giver,” and so let this offering be made with a glad heart, for the Lord’s sake, and it will bring blessing to those who give, and to those who receive, the gift. GCB January 1, 1902, page 600.13

Pray, believe, and work for a large offering on Sabbath, July 5. GCB January 1, 1902, page 600.14

W. W. PRESCOTT.