p. 45 | T. AND M. INSTITUTES by Stephen N. Haskell

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · January 15, 1880

FromThe Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, Vol. 55, No. 3

T. AND M. INSTITUTES.

By Stephen N. Haskell

BY ELD. S. N. HASKELL.

These Institutes, properly conducted, are and can be of great benefit to our cause and people. By comparing the amount of business transacted annually by T. and M. societies with that done by the Publishing Association a few years ago, it will be seen that some of these societies now do more than was done at that time by all of our people; and as this business is constantly increasing, it is important that it be done properly.

Also, we want hundreds of canvassers and colporters in the field immediately, to introduce our publications and obtain subscribers for our periodicals. The foreign element in this country,—the Danes, Swedes, French and Germans,—should be made available laborers in scattering publications in their native tongues. Ministers and T. and M. officers should ever be ready to instruct others by precept and example in the various branches of the missionary work. The instructions given should not be merely theoretical,—simply how to do the business,—but T. and M. workers should also be taught how to approach people, and to labor in the most successful manner in every department of the work.

Hitherto our ministers have not been prepared to instruct others, for want of this knowledge themselves. These Institutes are designed to instruct all, as far as possible, in the different phases of missionary labor, but especially to educate ministers and T. and M. officers, so that they can properly instruct others, and in this way the same method may be presented to every officer and member in our churches. All of our Conferences need this disciplinary drill, but none more than Michigan. No Conference is more important than this; and it is now designed to hold two or three such institutes in this State. The first will probably be held in Montcalm county, by Eld. B. L. Whitney or myself, commencing February 5, and continuing two weeks. This is the shortest time in which proper instruction can be given. We hope it will be well attended. Definite appointments next week.