»») GENERAL CHURCH PAPER OF THE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS . (-
CG
Our Gifts a Proof of World Brotherhood
A Message From the Treasurer of the General Conference
By W. E. NELSON - . N ALL the teachings of Jesus there is one thread that runs throughout and that is the universal brotherhood of mankind. His was a world-wide I work. He came to seek and save the lost, not of Palestine only but of the whole human race. His commission, or assignment of work, to His followers was, Go into all the world and make Christians of all who will listen. When that task is completed, then the second coming of Christ will take place. The great motive power in the proclamation of the gospel, the good news of salvation, is the presence of Christ with His followers as represented by the Holy Spirit, but, since creation, in the work of God He has always used material things as well as His Spirit to accomplish His purposes. During His first advent, He fed the thousands by the sea and, ministered to the physical needs of the people in a very definite way. He healed the sick, the halt, the lame, and the blind, and when He went away He gaVe to every, man his work. There are no exceptions recorded. In the organization of the Great Advent Movement this principle must be kept in mind. All. are to share in the responsibility of spreading the glad tidings of Jesus' second coming. The giving and gathering of money is part of the gospel work, and where done according to God's plan is as truly a spiritual work as any other part of the Advent Movement, and all can share in this phase of the message. The payment of tithes and offerings and special gifts to aid our world work has increased in a very gratifying way, but the increased need of funds has far exceeded, the increase in giving. The whole sum received is very large. However, when these funds are distributed throughout the whole world, we are led to exclaim as did Andrew when Jesus told the disciples to feed the multitude, What are these' among so many? But with the blessing of God resting upon His people to stir them to sacrificial liberality, we know the Advent message will be given to all the world in this generation. The Treasury Department of the General Conference is pledged to do all in its power to aid and strengthen all phases of the work that seeks to extend the kingdom of God on earth and make a people ready for the coming of the Lord.