14                      MINUTES


  Let us make that the keynote of our convention, that
God may open our eyes that we may see.
  There is work to be done.
  First, we should study missions and missionary endeav-
or for the inspiration it may give us. Inspiration is begot-
ten of information.
  Very often in our local societies we meet, collect dues,
hold devotionals perhaps, plan in a rather dispirited way to
increase our funds, dismiss and on going home hardly feel
repaid for the loss of time. I think until we can do better
a regular course of study should be prepared which each
local society would follow faithfully during the year, doing
all the supplementary reading possible. This, in addition
to the regular devotional service af the hour.
  Second, I think a greater spirit of sacrifice should pos-
sess us all. We should not rest satisfied with less than ab-
solutely our very best. Some want to measure their suc-
cess by what others do. I am sure we never ask God to
bless us according to our capabilities.
  However weak and incapable our lives, we desire all the
good that God has in store for any of His children. But
when we attempt something we are very willing to con-
gratulate ourselves that we have done very well for the
cause if we have simply done a little, costing a very little.
  Third, I think we should put forth still greater efforts in
our Junior and Intermediate work. I do not think our
work among them should fail to take on the nature of mis-
sion study. Here is the place to plant the seed and foster
the growth that from among our own sons and daughters
will arise the future missionaries both for home and for-
eign fields.
  Fourth. Our special efforts should not be allowed to lag.
I know our missionary activity is considered especially
strenuous.  But we are not hirelings, working simply for
pay, we are heirs and joint heirs with the Son, our Sa-
viour. "Bring ye the whole tithe into the store-house that
there may be food in my house and prove me herewith
saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows
of heaven and pour out a blessing that there shall not be
room enough to receive it."
  Fifth.  Shall we not strive to continue our business, in a
business-like way.  As a Conference Branch we have taken
a forward step in this matter, but there is no such thing as




			

OHS Archives/Library Serial Collection

Proceedings of the Twenty-First Annual Convention of the Ohio Conference Branch Woman's Mite Missionary Society Held in Brown's Chapel, A.M.E. Church, Cincinnati, Ohio, June 26th to July 2, 1917

Date:  07/02/1917