Chapter 2—What Shall Be Done With the Money

The old ‘44 Adventists are rapidly passing away. Only a little handful remains among us. The mass of our people are not personally acquainted with the facts connected with the passing of the time, the short period of confusion which followed before the rise of the third angel’s message, and the events connected with its early history. They know little concerning what was known as the “shut door doctrine” or the causes which led to it. There are now very few public laborers among us who are personally acquainted with these facts. Father Bates, Elders White and Andrews, and quite a number of others who acted as public speakers, are gone.HBTS 1.3

As churches began to respond to the plan adopted at Battle Creek, a question arose as to the use of the money thus raised. James White, in the Review of March 3, 1859, answers the question:HBTS 1.4

“Brother I. C. Vaughn writes from Hillsdale, Michigan, that the church in that place ‘are acting on the Systematic Benevolence plan, and like it much,’ and inquires, ‘What is to be done with the money at the end of the month?’

“We suggest that each church keep at least $5 in the treasury to help those preachers who occasionally visit them, and labor among them. This seems necessary. Such is the scarcity of money that our good brethren very seldom are prepared to help a messenger on his journey. Let there be a few dollars in every church treasury. Beyond this, the debt on the tent enterprise, etc., claims the proceeds of Systematic Benevolence in this State [Michigan].”

And on January 29, 1861, White could report of the Battle Creek church:HBTS 1.5

“As the result of strictly carrying out Heaven’s plan, there is now in our treasury (B.C.) $150 waiting for some worthy object which will really advance the cause of truth.”—The Review and Herald, January 29, 1861.