DAKOTA TRACT SOCIETY by D. T. Briggs

Seventh-Day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Thursday, February 12, 1880

FromThe Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, Vol. 55, No. 7

DAKOTA TRACT SOCIETY.

By D. T. Briggs

The first annual meeting of the Dakota Tract and Missionary Society was held at Swan Lake, Jan. 24, 25, 1880. A preliminary meeting was called Jan. 24, at 6 P. M., and was opened with prayer by the President. The reading of the minutes of the last session was postponed till the next meeting. The usual committees were appointed by the President, as follows: On Nominations, Jorgen Poulson, Peter Nelson, and W. T. Henton; on Resolutions, E. H. Pullen, Geo. E. Henton, and J. W. Devereaux. The matter of redistricting the Territory was left to the Board of Directors.

The Committee on Resolutions presented the following:—

Whereas, We believe that all who are looking for the soon coming of the Lord must act a part in the last warning message of mercy to the world, in order to be prepared to enter into the joys of our Lord, at his appearing; and

Whereas, We believe that God in his infinite mercy and goodness has led to the organization of a T. and M. society in Dakota, thereby opening a way for each of us to work for our Master; and

Whereas, We believe that a failure on our part to improve such opportunities would be wrong in the sight of Heaven; therefore

1. Resolved, That we consider it the privilege and duty of every S. D. Adventist to become identified with the T. and M. society; and that it is our imperative duty to do all in our power to urge all members to unite with us in sustaining and carrying forward the work.

2. Resolved, That it is the duty of each member to do all he can to increase the circulation of our different publications, and to secure as many subscribers for our papers as possible.

3. Resolved, That the family reading recommended by the General Conference Committee be adopted, and entered upon at once by those who have not already commenced; and that we invite the librarians of the different societies to visit their members, and do what they can to bring about this result.

4. Resolved, That we heartily and earnestly recommend a careful and prayerful reading of Testimony No. 29, by each individual member of our churches, and that each family procure a copy of the same.

5. Resolved, that we recommend the adoption of the plan of paying the added “one-third” into the T. and M. fund, as recommended by the General T. and M. Society; and that we invite the officers of our society to set us the proper example.

6. Resolved, That steps should be taken at this meeting to create a reserve fund, for the use and benefit of the T. and M. society in carrying forward its work.

7. Resolved, That we believe the REVIEW AND HERALD should be in the hands of every S. D. Adventist; and that we earnestly recommend every librarian to make an effort to supply this paper to any who are not otherwise able to procure it; and we further recommend that each person so receiving the paper be requested to make payment as far as possible.

After some discussion on the above resolutions, they were all adopted.

The Committee on Nominations reported the following-named persons for officers for the ensuing year: For President, Eld. S. B. Whitney; Vice-president, M. M. Olson, Sunnyside, Union Co., D. T.; Secretary, W. T. Henton, Parker, Turner Co. Directors: Dist. No. 1, D. N. Abbott, Sunnyside, Union Co.; No. 2, E. H. Pullen, Howard, Turner Co. Each candidate was considered separately, and all were elected.

It was voted that the counties of Yankton and Bonhomme be given to Dist. No. 1, instead of to No. 2, as before. Two members were added. Steps were taken to raise a reserve fund, and $120 was pledged, also the product of two acres of wheat of the crop of 1880.

In all, three meetings were held.

Adjourned sine die. D. T. BRIGGS, Sec.