Harvest Ingathering Helps*
The Harvest Ingathering plan which I have followed for more than twelve years is not an easy one, although it is not complicated. First, from the church membership the best solicitors are chosen for the business district of the city, also for the outside towns. Then, using a map of the city, a portion of resident territory is assigned to every member of the church, and each member is given an individual goal according to his territory and ability. No member is given a goal of less than $10; others $15 or $25, some $50, and some $100. These are called suggestive goals, but are always cheerfully received, and seem to inspire in the individual confidence that he can reach his goal.
Two copies of these goals and territories are made. The first Sabbath the drive opens, one of these, having been cut into individual slips, is given to the congregation. In this way the goal and territory is designated for each individual, and the other copy is kept for reference.
The members of the singing band are assigned their work in the distribution, and they go out the night of the first Sabbath of the campaign. The band covers all the resident territory. No magazines are used in their soliciting, for this same territory is covered again by the individual worker,
The sermon on this first Sabbath, as well as on the second, is chosen with a view of inspiring each person with courage and confidence. Each prayer meeting night this is the theme, and each is urged to pray and work continually for the success of the drive.
Every Sabbath the church roll is called, and each person responds to his name by bringing his offering to the desk. The amounts are placed on a blackboard and added before the congregation. Each succeeding Sabbath the amount previously raised is added to the amount for the day. We continue until our goal is reached, but stop as soon as we reach our quota, for I believe such a program causes the church to take hold with better courage the next year.
Of course this does not work out one hundred per cent, but up until last year we never failed to reach our entire goal and have a nice overflow.
Oklahoma City, Okla.
* There are two essentials vital to the smooth, efficient operation of any piece of machinery. First, it must be built upon an adequate foundation. Second, it must be provided with sufficient power to perform its work. Brother Nott, and every other successful leader in the Harvest Ingathering campaign, has wrought in harmony with these principles. He constructs a smoothly functioning Ingathering organization. but builds on a strong spiritual foundation. A world in need is met by a membership consecrated to service. Brother Nott's Ingathering campaign is not a cold, mechanical drive. It springs from the divine impulse of the Holy Spirit.
Mechanics alone will never inspire a singing band to toil four or five nights a week. Ingathering success year after year does not grow out of purely human devisings. The spirit of the living creature" must be "in the wheels." Careful attention to every detail of promotion fulfills the injunction, "Let all things be done decently and in order." And the progress of the campaign reflected in his interesting and ingenious goal device but reflects the surge of spiritual power that sends forth the workers from day to day, not tirelessly, but with consecrated determination. It is a determination born of conviction that it is the work of God, and that it can be triumphantly accomplished in His power. Any pastor can succeed in the Ingathering work in the same way, and no real success will attend any church that fails to build its campaign work on a spiritual foundation, and then works it out under the inspiration of divine power.—J. ADAMS STEVENS.
Successful Singing Bands
I would not wish to work without the singing band, if I could possibly have one. It not only brings in a goodly sum of money from people who otherwise might not give, but it furnishes an enthusiastic and pleasant avenue of service for many members, both young and old. Many of these might not take an active part in the Harvest Ingathering were it not for the singing bands. We intend to start earlier this year, and put on a more aggressive, and we trust a more fruitful, program.
N. H. SAUNDERS.
Worcester, Mass.
Announcements by Mimeograph
The mimeograph is being used to advantage in these days of economy by a number of our pastors and evangelists. A thousand posters can be quickly turned out, and at a very moderate cost. Display lettering, and even illustrations, can be drawn on the stencils, very neat and attractive work resulting if care is exercised.
One evangelist has used a mimeographed poster, size 4 x 11 inches, to advertise his evangelistic meetings and health lectures in the East.
In Charlotte, North Carolina, Elder John G. Mitchell is advertising the revival services held in the church three nights a week by a mimeographed announcement of regular typewriter size, 8 x 11. The words, "Revival Service," appear in large, shaded lettering at the top, the remainder of the announcement being typed in block form.
In the Temple Church, New York City, Elder H. C. Lacey uses the mimeograph in getting out his weekly church calendar, which is a four-page folder approximately 5 x 8% inches. The front and back pages of this calendar are printed, a line cut of the church building appearing on the front page. The two inside pages of the folder are mimeographed, the second page being devoted to announcing the order of service for the meetings on Sabbath and on Sunday evening. Notices of other services to be held during the week, or of other church activities, are given on the third page.
