TRACT AND MISSIONARY INSTITUTES by James White

Seventh-Day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · April 1, 1880

FromThe Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, Vol. 55, No. 14

TRACT AND MISSIONARY INSTITUTES.

By James White

The Tract and Missionary Institutes, conducted by Eld. B. L. Whitney, of Rome, N. Y., in Wisconsin and Minnesota, have been very successful, as has been the case with those held in Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio, and Michigan. Bro. Whitney closes his work in this department for the spring with a class in Iowa and one in Ohio.

We regret the disappointment our people of the Kansas Conference feel in not enjoying the labors of Eld. Whitney at the time of the first appointment. Changes in appointments should always be avoided if possible. Bro. Whitney was here, and telegraphed and wrote letters inquiring if the change could be made. And having letters in his possession at the time from the president of the Kansas Conference, stating that the time appointed was unfavorable, he agreed with us that the time of the Kansas Institute should be postponed. And let it be understood that the Institute would have been held at the time of the second appointment, had not the president of the Kansas Conference decided by letter to this Office, that none would be held in that State this spring.

Laborers are few. The field is extensive, and the harvest is abundant. Those who take the general oversight of the work are extremely anxious to serve all and to please all, in laying plans for the general good of the whole. They are sometimes placed in trying positions, and are liable to make mistakes. Those they serve, who find difficulties sometimes in their local work, should not be too exacting and complaining of those who may err in the general management.

Kansas had too many camp-meetings last year; and when, in consequence of the sickness of several Kansas preachers, and other camp-meetings being held at the same time, and the General Conference Committee being all engaged, we spared neither time nor expense in telegraphing to Illinois and Iowa for help for Kansas; and while Kansas charges considerable to our account for making two or three unfortunate changes, we would suggest that it would be well for her to put a little to our credit for extra exertion in her behalf in time of need. Let brotherly love continue. We have received a most cheering letter from Eld. Whitney, dated Medford, Minn., March 26. He says:—

“We had an excellent meeting in Wisconsin, and were able to accomplish more than I anticipated in the week's time. I think this meeting will have a good influence on the work there. The Wisconsin ministers took hold in earnest to sell books, according to the recommendation of the General Conference, taking nearly $500 worth with them from that meeting. All the ministers of the Conference but one were present, and all go out to work in behalf of the society in connection with their labor among the churches till tent season. We had an excellent Sabbath meeting, and a good spirit was manifested in the meetings during the entire session.

“I am surprised at the attendance and interest here in Minnesota. Although the roads are extremely bad, our class numbers seventy, including all the ministers in the State but one. Bro. Grant said that we should not have more than twenty at most, and yet we have more than three times that number. There is an earnest interest in the class, the best, I think, I have seen in any Institute thus far. I am glad to report that I come to each Institute with new zeal and enthusiasm, which seems to increase constantly.

“I regret the disappointment and unpleasant feelings of the Kansas brethren; but I am satisfied that much more will be accomplished for the advancement of the work by the meetings in these two States than would have been by one meeting in Kansas.

“And now a word or two by way of suggestion relative to our tract work. It is a decided conviction with me that we are in need of two or three tracts of the nature of ‘Sufferings of Christ’—tracts that are not doctrinal or controversial, but that contain pure and undefiled religion of a practical nature. I believe these to be as much needed as anything for our tract workers; for as we need more practical preaching, so we also need more practical reading. I hope that as you apply yourself to the important task you have laid out for your summer's work, as indicated in your article in the REVIEW of this week, entitled, ‘Our Publications,’ you will consider this, and, if consistent, give us something of this kind.

“It is with regret that I read of the probability of our brethren being deprived of your labors and counsel at our camp-meetings this season; but I certainly shall pray that you may have the special blessing of God in the important work you propose to do.”

Eld. Whitney's labor as teacher of the true system of tract and missionary work, and conductor of institutes, has but just begun. He is an educator, apt to teach, and every way fitted to his work. As he may pass from Conference to Conference, Kansas will stand as good a chance as other States.

The benefit of these Tract and Missionary Institutes will be seen not only in the instructions given in this branch of the work, but the thorough discipline given will greatly benefit those who receive it, in other departments of their work.

J. W.