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thing, and all who can and are willing to do one other thing.
The first is, that I am calling for a full day of FASTING AND
PRAYER FOR THIS WORK FOR THIS SABBATH, April 4th. That, Brethren,
can do more to help this situation than anything else -- IF we
really take this seriously to heart, and PUT OUR HEARTS INTO OUR
PRAYERS in real earnest, and in FAITH BELIEVING!
The second I ask of all who can and are willing. This was
suggested this afternoon by Mr. Stanley Rader, our legal counsel
and financial adviser. It is that those in position to do so, if
willing to do your part for God's Work in this immediate crisis, go
to your local bank and borrow whatever you are able -- from $100
to $1,000. Some will be able to borrow no more than $100. Many
will not be able to borrow that. If not, please don't think you
need to write in explaining why -- we here at Headquarters UNDER-
STAND many are unable -- and we do not expect those unable to do
it. But that is all the more reason why those of us who ARE ABLE
will, I hope, be willing to borrow whatever you can -- some can
borrow $200, some $500, some $1,000.
Most bankers will ask why you want it. There could be many
needs at this season -- income tax payments coming up -- you are
short of funds temporarily -- or just tell him you want to make a
special donation to your Church. For those who can and will do
this, borrow merely on your signature -- don't mortgage anything
-- whatever you are able, to be paid back monthly. And you should
not obligate yourself to monthly payments except what you will be
able to pay OVER AND ABOVE tithes and offerings for the Work -- so
that it does not lower the income for the Work through the rest of
the year. IF you can pay only $5 to $8 per month to the bank
repaying the loan, you should be able to borrow around $100. If you
can pay $10 or $15 per month in repayments, then you could borrow
$200, etc.
Mr. Rader, Mr. Portune and I were discussing this crisis at
lunch, and Mr. Rader said he would go to his bank and borrow $5,000
to start this plan going. I felt I was the one to set the example,
so immediately this afternoon I beat him to it.
I know that many of our members do, from time to time, buy
such things as a new TV set, or dishwasher, on monthly payments.
Perhaps some will want to put off such a purchase and let those
monthly payments go to repay a loan at the bank that will supply
God's Work with IMMEDIATE CASH, which is the serious IMMEDIATE
NEED.
If some of you feel you are not in a position to take part in
this plan for IMMEDIATE extra cash to the Work, or feel you don't
want to, there's no need to explain -- I do not expect it unless
you really want to and are able. I'm not "high pressuring" you to
do this. But I recognize Mr. Rader's suggestion as a plan that I
feel will give the immediate financial "shot in the arm" that GOD'S
WORK SERIOUSLY NEEDS right now. And I have participated to the
best of my ability, and Mr. Portune will, and all of God's leading
ministers and executives here at Headquarters.