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FOURTH ANNUAL SESSION OF THE GENERAL TRACT AND MISSIONARY SOCIETY

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The Seventh-Day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · December 11, 1879

FromThe Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, Vol. 54, No. 24

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FOURTH ANNUAL SESSION OF THE GENERAL TRACT AND MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

By S. N. Haskell; Maria L. Huntley

In response to call of the President, eight meetings were held during this session. The first opened with prayer by Eld. B. L. Whitney at 2 P. M., Nov. 11. The following State societies were represented by delegates, according to Article 5 of the Constitution; namely, New England, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Nebraska, Tennessee, Kansas, Dakota, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan, Iowa, Missouri, and California.
The minutes of the last annual meeting were read and approved. A summary of the labor performed by the various State societies during the past year was also read. (See table in Supplement.)
The total distribution of reading matter in this country, including Annuals and periodicals, equaled about 26,701,234 pages in tract form, or 7,094,568 pages more than was reported the year before. The report also showed that $6,773.57 more had been received for the support of the tract and missionary societies this year than last. The average per cent of T. and M. members who reported each quarter during the year was about 37. Less than 50 per cent of S. D. A. church members are members of the tract society; consequently only about 18 per cent of S. D. Adventists belonging to churches were represented in this report. A report was also given of the financial standing of the various State societies, particulars of which will appear elsewhere.
The financial standing of the General Tract Society was as follows:—
Cash on hand Oct. 8, 1878, $457.17
Received on Life Membership, 1020.00
“ “ donations, etc., 698.47
“ “ one-tenth, Illinois, 29.88
Total, $2205.52
Paid for Publications, $985.88
“ incidental expenses, 303.87
Cash on hand to balance, 915.77
Total, $2205.52
On motion, the Chair appointed the following committees: On Nominations, W. C. White, Eld. J. Fargo, and M. H. Brown; on Resolutions, Elds. B. L. Whitney, D. A. Robinson, and S. H. Lane.
At a subsequent meeting the Committee on Nominations recommended the following persons as officers for the ensuing year: President, Eld. S. N. Haskell, Battle Creek, Mich.; Vice-President, Eld. B. L. Whitney, Rome, N. Y.; Secretary, Maria L. Huntley, Battle Creek, Mich.; Assistant Secretary, Jennie Thayer, Battle Creek, Mich.; Executive Committee, Eld. S. N. Haskell, Eld. G. I. Butler, and W. C. White.
On motion, these officers were elected collectively.
The Committee on Resolutions reported as follows:—
1. Whereas, It has pleased God in great mercy to his erring people to repeatedly speak to them in testimonies of reproof and encouragement, through the gift of prophecy, and
Whereas, These several testimonies have not been as extensively circulated, as carefully read, and as fully heeded, as they should have been, therefore
Resolved, That the officers of the several tract and missionary societies shall regard it as their special duty to labor to introduce the testimonies into all the families of our people everywhere.
This resolution called out remarks from Elds. White, Decker, Canright, B. L. Whitney, W. C. White, and others, respecting the great benefit to be derived from these testimonies, the lack everywhere observable in those not familiar with their teachings, and the duty of our preachers to impress their importance upon the people.
2. Whereas, The Lord in his tender mercy has recently given a most solemn and searching testimony relative to the Judgment, of thrilling interest to our people, therefore
Resolved, That we recommend the publication of the same as soon as consistent, and that we earnestly urge the presidents of the several tract and missionary societies to immediately ascertain the number needed in their States, and order a full supply of Testimony No. 29; and that we appeal to our brethren everywhere to acquaint themselves with its important contents.
3. Whereas, Many of our State societies are indebted to the offices of publication, and
Whereas, Said indebtedness is a great embarrassment to them, therefore
Resolved, That we most heartily approve the plan adopted by many of the State societies, of creating a reserve fund equal to the value of publications required to be kept on hand in the State depository, and that we urge all societies that have not done this to do so at once.
This fund was explained to be a State fund, to be employed in sustaining a liberal supply of publications in each State depository, and to be under the control of the State officers. The several districts are not to receive credit for whatever sums they may donate to this fund.
4. Whereas, The practice of introducing important business into our tract society work by direct communication with the librarians, rather than through the medium of the officers of our State societies, has brought discouragement and confusion to these societies, and
Whereas, Such efforts have repeatedly proved unsuccessful in accomplishing the object designed in making these appeals, therefore
Resolved, That we recommend that hereafter all enterprises in which it is desired to enlist the efforts of the tract society, be introduced through the agency of the officers of the General and State societies.
This resolution was followed by remarks from the presidents of the various societies present, W. C. White, and others, respecting the ground covered by it, and the bearing it will have upon future efforts. It was explained to include such enterprises in particular as affect the financial standing of State societies.
5. Whereas, It has been proved by the history of our work in the past, and confirmed by the special light which the Lord has been pleased to give us, that the tract and missionary work constitutes one of the most important departments of our cause, and
Whereas, It is necessary for the maintenance of so important a branch of the work that there should be some uniform, efficient, and systematic plan for its financial support, therefore
Resolved, That this society, adopting the suggestion of the General Conference, recommend to each State tract society the raising of a sum equal to one-third the tithes paid for the support of the ministry, for the direct support of the tract and missionary work.
An animated discussion over what has been termed “the one-third” followed the reading of this resolution. The intent of the resolution is to fix the sum to be raised, leaving the manner of raising it optional with each State society.
6. Whereas, In the providence of God we have at Battle Creek, Mich., and Oakland, Cal., two efficient Publishing Houses, by means of which large quantities of “present truth,” in its printed form, has accumulated, therefore
Resolved, That for the year to come we will put forth our best efforts in effecting a sale of these publications, and in getting the light before those who are in darkness.
7. Whereas, This work is constantly increasing in magnitude, and whereas there is a great demand for individuals to act as colporteurs and canvassers, to visit and pray with families, etc., therefore
Resolved, That we earnestly recommend the presidents of the various T. and M. societies to use their influence in enlisting the co-operation of such persons in this work as can be successful therein.
W. C. White made remarks showing the great need of colporteurs in our churches. Only a small portion of the new books printed from time to time have been taken by our brethren, whereas they should be found in every Sabbath-keeping family. He expressed fears that this lack among our brethren would finally result in apostasy with many. The plan of selecting some of our most important books and offering them for sale as family libraries was recommended, and it was
Voted, That the Chair appoint a committee of three to select books for such a library, and that the chairman of this committee write an article on this subject for the REVIEW.
Elds. D. M. Canright, S. B. Whitney and G. G. Rupert were appointed as said committee.
The propriety of reducing the initiation fee to State societies to less than $1.00 was suggested, and on motion, the Chair appointed the following committee to consider the matter: Elds. H. W. Decker, W. H. Littlejohn, and M. B. Miller. At a subsequent meeting this committee recommended that as the time and manner of paying this fee is optional with the various societies, it is the mind of the committee that it should remain $1.00.
8. Whereas, Our Danish Norwegian paper, The Advent Tidende has in the eight years of its existence wielded a great influence in favor of the truth among the Danes and Norwegians in this country and in Denmark and Norway; and as these nationalities are largely represented in this country, and there are but few ministers to proclaim the truth among them, and
Whereas, The Tidende has been changed from a monthly to a semi-monthly, thus greatly increasing its usefulness as a missionary paper, therefore
Resolved, That we urge our Scandinavian brethren to take a greater interest in extending its circulation, by obtaining new subscribers, forming clubs, and earnestly engaging in the missionary work; and further
9. Resolved, That we recommend that our tract societies interest themselves for the circulation of the Tidende, by forming clubs and otherwise, and introduce it among the Scandinavians wherever they may have an opportunity to do so.
This was spoken to by W. C. White, O. A. Olsen, and others, who gave interesting particulars concerning the circulation of this paper, and the reason for changing its form and publishing it semi-monthly instead of monthly.
The present number of subscribers is about 1,450, of which 270 are in Denmark and Norway. W. C. White stated that could the Tidende have one thousand full-paying subscribers, and two thousand club subscribers, it would be self-sustaining. Some plans for securing this number of subscribers were suggested; also, in view of the dissatisfaction with some on account of the change in the form of the paper, it was proposed to furnish a binder to all who renew their subscription for the same before Jan. 1, 1880. The co-operation of the American T. and M. societies was earnestly solicited for the support of the paper.
10. Whereas, The German population of this country, at the present time, numbers over ten million souls, many of whom, by becoming acquainted with the truth, through their native tongue, would be glad to obey the word of the Lord, and
Whereas, A German paper has been started, which has received a hearty welcome from thousands of our countrymen, therefore
Resolved, That we earnestly recommend our American tract societies to circulate the Stimme der Wahrheit to every German family within their reach, and
11. Whereas, We have received many and earnest appeals from our German readers, requesting a more frequent appearance of the German paper, therefore
Resolved, That we recommend that the Stimme der Wahrheit, from the beginning of next year, be issued monthly instead of quarterly.
Interesting remarks were made by Elders Decker, Grant, Lamson, and others, which evinced the fact that with proper efforts much can be accomplished among the German people. The last resolution, after further remarks, was referred to the General Conference Committee.
W. C. White recommended that the brethren try canvassing for this paper, remarking that if one thousand subscribers were obtained, it could be published monthly.
12. Whereas, The plan of taking the Signs in clubs has proved to be an efficient medium of communicating light; and whereas many are rejoicing in the truth received thereby, therefore
Resolved, That we most heartily approve the plan, and recommend all our churches, companies, and scattered brethren, to continue the use of the Signs in this way, until some other pioneer sheet shall be provided to take its place; also that Good Health be taken in the same manner.
A discussion followed respecting the evils arising from furnishing Good Health in clubs, in which the course of our brethren who selfishly take advantage of the liberal offers made by the Publishing Association to the tract societies, to benefit themselves, was severely censured.
13. Whereas, The Swedish Harold is as yet the chief means of spreading the truth among the Swedes, and is indispensable to the upholding and carrying forward of the third angel’s message among this nationality, and
Whereas, The Swedish cause is greatly in need of help at the present time, therefore
Resolved, That we will do all we can to forward this branch of the cause by our hearty co-operation in the circulation of the Advent Harold.
In support of this resolution it was stated that the Harold is all the preacher that our brethren in the Swedish language have, and that its circulation has increased considerably during the year. Some of the discouragements under which our Swedish friends have labored were also mentioned.
14. Whereas, The general system that has been adopted in our tract societies has proved efficient and successful in accomplishing the work for which these societies were organized, and whereas the introduction of new plans at variance with this system will tend to confusion, and thus prove detrimental to the interests of this important branch of the work, therefore
Resolved, That we heartily indorse the general system already adopted, and recommend to all State societies to maintain a uniformity of action in harmony with this general plan until such time as the General Tract Society shall find it necessary or advisable to mature and recommend important changes.
These resolutions, with the exception of the eleventh, were unanimously adopted. A report having been called for from the committee on family libraries, Eld. S. B. Whitney responded (see article on “Family Libraries”), and this report was adopted.
A question having been raised respecting the price to be charged for this library, on motion of Eld. D. M. Canright, this matter, also the amount of discount to be allowed on publications to tract societies and individuals, was referred to the Executive Committee of the General Tract Society and the officers of the Publishing Association. It was urged that as individuals now purchase publications in much smaller quantities than the tract societies, they should receive less discount on the same; also that should this course be pursued, it would encourage our brethren in their efforts to establish a reserve fund in each State society. Before the tract societies were formed it was necessary for ministers to order publications in large quantities, whereas, at the present time, they can obtain as small quantities from these societies as their circumstances require. This, with other advantages secured to them by the present arrangement, will balance a slight reduction in discount.
W. C. White then introduced the following resolution, which was adopted:—
Whereas, The monthly Instructor is a good missionary paper, and its publication will provide the means of educating youth and children in the work of canvassing, therefore
Resolved, That we recommend its continuance, and urge all T. and M. workers to aid the children in increasing its circulation.
W. C. White spoke of the importance of educating children to canvass, and proposed to give books and Sabbath-school maps, as premiums, to those obtaining specified numbers of subscribers for the Instructor.
The cases of individuals who frequently write to the office of publication requesting the continuance of their papers after their subscription has expired, was introduced. The President stated that such cases should at once be referred to the State Secretary of the tract society where the individual lives, and that it is the duty of this Secretary to ascertain what course should be pursued in each case, and to either order subscriptions renewed or discontinued. The expense of sending our periodicals to worthy persons who are unable to pay for them, should be borne by the church society to which they belong, if it is able; if not, the district should pay it. If the district cannot do this, the State society should bear this expense.
Adjourned sine die.
S. N. HASKELL, Pres.
MARIA L. HUNTLEY, Sec.