Chapter 45—Calls for Means - I was shown that there have been unhappy results from making urgent calls for means at our camp meetings. This matter has been pressed too hard. Many men of means would not have done anything had not their hearts been softened and melted under the influence of the testimonies borne to them. But the poor have been deeply affected and, in the sincerity of their souls, have pledged means which they had a heart to give, but which they were unable to pay. In most instances urgent calls for means have left a wrong impression upon some minds. Some have thought that money was the burden of our message. Many have gone to their homes blessed because they had donated to the cause of God. But there are better methods of raising means, by freewill offerings, than by urgent calls at our large gatherings. If all come up to the plan of systematic benevolence, and if our tract and missionary workers are faithful in their department of the work, the treasury will be well supplied without these urgent calls at our large gatherings. {3T 510.1}

(510) Jeg fik vist at der, ved vore lejrmøder, kom dårlige resultater ud af de indtrængende kald for midler. Disse kald har været for hårde. Bemidlede mennesker ville ikke have givet noget hvis deres hjerte ikke var blevet blødgjort og smeltet under påvirkningen af de vidnesbyrd de fik. Men den fattige er blevet dybt berørt og, i deres sjæles oprigtighed, har de bedt om midler som de havde hjerte for at give, men som de var ude af stand til at betale. I de fleste tilfælde har et indtrængende kald efter midler efterladt et dårligt indtryk hos nogle. Nogle har tænkt at penge var vort budskabs hovedbudskab. Mange er gået velsignet hjem fordi de har givet til Guds sag. Men der er bedre metoder at rejse midler på, ved frivillige ofre, end ved at give indtrængende kald ved vore store forsamlinger. Hvis alle kom med på den systematiske godgørenhedsplan og hvis vore traktat- og missionsarbejdere er trofaste i deres arbejde, vil skatkammeret kunne fyldes godt uden disse indtrængende kald, ved vore store forsamlinger.