NEW YORK TRACT SOCIETY INSTITUTE by B. L. Whitney

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

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

NEW YORK TRACT SOCIETY INSTITUTE.

By B. L. Whitney

We wish to call the especial attention of the New York tract workers to the appointment for this meeting, commencing Dec. 20, which we anticipate will be the most important of any ever held in the interests of the tract work in our State.

The postponement of the meeting on account of the General Conference has brought us to a more favorable season in the year for holding such a meeting than the date first named, and as many have expressed a desire to attend, we shall look for a general turnout. This we certainly should have, as all the circumstances are favorable and the importance of the work demands it.

The work of the tract society is increasing in importance each year, and this requires of us increased efforts that we may be prepared to meet the demands of the cause. The present season will be one of marked advancement in this department of the work, and many plans of great importance will be put in operation, and we should be in readiness to do our part and to do it well. We hope to see every church included in the New York Tract Society represented at this meeting, and during the two weeks' drill in the proper methods of doing business, which are to follow.

Every church should see that the librarian, at least, attends for the entire time. In fact, every tract officer, from the highest to the lowest, should be there; and we wish to see as many others as can attend. A thorough course of instruction will be given, not only in keeping the accounts and records of the tract society, but also concerning the duties of church clerks, S. B. treasurers, and S. S. officers. The health and temperance work will also have its due share of attention, and we trust that this effort will result in greatly increasing the interest in all these branches of the work.

A class in vocal music will also be formed in connection with the Institute.

The brethren at Adams Center have been very liberal in their offer of entertainment to those who shall attend, and yet we trust that all who can do so will come prepared to take care of themselves. Bring plenty of bedding, bed-ticks, etc., and provisions as far as convenient. The Rome, Watertown and Ogdensburg R. R. grant reduction on return fare to all who attend.

We are very glad that we can state that Eld. S. N. Haskell will attend this meeting, and his presence will be the more appreciated by our brethren as it has been some time since he has labored in our State. Altogether, there is every reason why a special effort should be made to secure a full attendance, and why we should do all in our power to make the meeting a success. We hope, as far as possible, to have every conference, tract society, Sabbath-school, and health and temperance officer present, and many other of our brethren who are interested in all these departments of the work.

If there are those who wish to become canvassers, let them also be present, as attention will be given to this part of the work. We urge all to come to remain for the two weeks during which the meetings will continue. And above all, let us seek for the blessing of God to be with us in this work, that our meeting may indeed be in the highest sense successful.

B. L. WHITNEY.

Detroit, Mich., Dec. 3.