It is unfortunate, perhaps, that the agents of the beneficence of the churches and Christian people of the land should be compelled so often to “rise and explain,” but the necessity will in all probability continue so long as there is a possibility of misunderstanding facts and figures. We are all creatures of association, and things which are coupled together are apt to make unwarranted impressions on our minds.
For instance, the name of the American Missionary Association has been of late passing the rounds of the public press in connection with large sums of money. $150,000 to four of its institutions from the Stone estate; $20,000 for Fisk University from the Graves legacy; $20,000 from the estate of Deacon James Smith, of Philadelphia; $12,000 announced last month from the Avery estate, and which is to be increased to about $18,000; $15,000 from Mr. Arthington, of Leeds. All this sounds very rich and prosperous, and our contributors say: “They are rich and increased in goods. For a time, at least, they will do well. Let us thank God for their prosperity, and turn to those whose wants are more pressing than theirs can be.”
Just here is where the explanation must be made. First, then, almost none of these bequests are in our hands as yet. The largest of all is coupled with conditions which we hope to be able to meet, but of which, until we shall have met them, we have no right to be sure.
But secondly, and what is of more consequence, with one possible exception, the way in which all this money is to be expended is determined before it reaches our treasury. The donors have examined the field, or parts of it, for themselves, and have given their gifts, not to us, but only through us, to certain definite fields and uses. Most of this, which is for home use, is to build buildings, and must go for that purpose. But it will cost us money to see these buildings built; the oversight, the correspondence, and the co-operation of all sorts will be a drain upon our time and treasury; and when the much needed buildings shall have been erected, the enlarged work to which they lead will increase very considerably the annual expense for which we must provide. Other of these funds are for a new mission field, of which the founding is only an item, but the carrying on from year to year will demand larger resources than the past has ever furnished.
Dear friends, we recognize the call of God in these large gifts to go forward, trusting in Him and in His people to supply our needs. We do not wait until our work shall be fully provided for before we enter on it; we do not shrink from the advance which may be needed; but we do want you all to know that while, on the one hand, the equipment and the opportunity for larger work are thrust upon us, the outfit for the journey is insufficient, and the officers are embarrassed already to carry on the work in hand.
Even with special gifts to help the current work, our receipts are $10,595.85 less than last year at this time (May 12th), through the falling off in legacies. Enlarging work and a shrinking purse—this is our quandary.
Is our explanation clear? We want money day by day—more money day by day. Not millions, though we could use millions so that they would help on the cause of our Divine Redeemer in the world; but moderate gifts—yes, mites even, as they come with prayer and love for Christ; but more in number and with greater frequency; above all, the steady supply of constantly recurring and increasing needs, to carry on the work in hand. It costs money to spend money; that is our most pressing need to-day, and our new gifts will need more money. Will you plan to supply it? Or must we say to those who would entrust us with the administration of their beneficence, “We cannot afford to administer the trust”?
RAILROADS AND RIVERS.
There are railroads and there are rivers. The first are laid out after careful survey of the country, and follow the most direct lines of communication possible or politic between two given points. They tunnel mountains and bridge gorges; they cut through hills and level up valleys. They are made. But the rivers—we, at least, do not make them; we only find them, follow them, and use them. They do not run exactly in parallels of longitude, nor flow exactly south or west. They do not take the shortest courses to the sea; they yield to circumstances, and gracefully circle round the obstacles which they cannot surmount. Somehow, they always reach their destination, and leave a path of life and beauty as they go. You may divert them for a little to serve other than their main uses, but still they flow on unwasted to the larger waters, into which they pour their steady streams.