p. 330 | CALIFORNIA T. AND M. SOCIETY by Barbara C. Stickney

Seventh-Day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Thursday, May 20, 1880

FromThe Review and Herald, Vol. 55, No. 21

CALIFORNIA T. AND M. SOCIETY.

By Barbara C. Stickney

The State quarterly meeting of this society was held in connection with the Lemoore camp-meeting, April 26, 1880. The meeting was called to order by Eld. S. N. Haskell, President of the State and also of the General Society. After the reading of the minutes of the previous meeting held Jan. 18, the report of the work done in the State during the quarter was read, which is as follows:—

Districts	No. Members	No. Reports Returned	No. Members Added	No. Families Visited	No. Letters Written	No. Signs taken in Clubs	Subscribers obtained for Periodicals	Pages of Tracts and Pamphlets distributed	Periodicals Distributed	Annuals sold and given away	Cash rec’d on Tract Fund and Periodicals
1	92	53	5	190	146	145	16	49411	2687	647	$108 15
2	86	30	5	36	112	95	7	28022	1059	712	166 72
3	52	33	4	32	472	201	4	11652	3898	412	96 85
4	....	....	....	....	....	....	....	....	....	....	....
5	81	41	5	64	168	202	67	19110	1711	306	193 05
6	9	6	...	2	2	10	8	1789	240	107	16 25
7	85	49	...	78	226	200	52	145122	4269	637	80 20
8	48	37	1	45	27	80	22	38175	1902	544	101 75
9	6	6	...	40	16	...	1	5299	107	200	1 20
*¹	...	...	...	91	...	...	...	14118	1783	405	...
	459	255	24	575	1169	933	177	312698	17656	3970	$764 17

The general wants of the missionary society in this State were then considered, and among other things the necessity was shown of our having a reserve fund sufficiently large to enable the society to place in each district and church depository an adequate amount of tracts for the use of our missionary workers; also to furnish ministers, colporters, and those acting as agents, with such publications as they may want until sales are effected, and returns made to the State society. Remarks were then made in regard to the Seaman’s Mission, which constitutes an important branch of the work in this State, and it was advised that there be means raised to carry forward this work.

The Committee on Resolutions made the following report:—

Whereas, We in this State have been favored with the labors of Sister White, and thereby a vast amount of prejudice which existed against our views has been removed, and whereas the way is now open for more successful missionary labor than ever before, therefore.

Resolved, That we will seek a greater consecration to God and his work, and recommend colportering and canvassing in the sale of our publications, especially the Spirit of Prophecy, and obtaining subscribers for our periodicals, and

Whereas, This will necessitate keeping on hand a greater amount of bound books and pamphlets, therefore.

Resolved, That we recommend our districts and church societies to act as agents for the State society in the sale of bound books and pamphlets, returning retail price to the State society.

Resolved, That we also recommend our ministers and colporters to act as agents in the sale of our publications, and that they deal directly with the State society.

Resolved, That we are in harmony with the ship missionary work, and recommend the immediate raising of a fund of

$3,000, one-third to be appropriated to the ship-work, and the remainder to be used as a reserve fund, to carry the publications necessary to supply those who sell in our districts.

Resolved, That as the local societies and ministers act as agents for the society, we discontinue the ten per cent hitherto added to tracts purchased by them, and further

Resolved, That the expense of transporting publications to the districts and churches shall be paid out of the State fund.

Resolved, that we recommend each district to make a special effort to pay its present indebtedness as soon as possible, that the State society may be able to pay its indebtedness, and relieve the associations.

J. L. Wood, C. W. Porter, Geo. W. Hutchings, } Committee.

As these resolutions came up one by one, much enthusiasm was manifested in reference to them. The brethren seemed willing, and even anxious, to do all in their power to assist in the missionary work; and none but those who were present can appreciate the interest manifested, especially when the fourth resolution was read. Many spoke in reference to it, but not a dissenting voice was heard. All seemed anxious to have it pass, that the worthy object for which it was designed might be attained. As soon as the resolution was passed, the brethren present were given the privilege of pledging for the purpose mentioned; and notwithstanding for the past three years there had been a failure in their crops (although the prospect for good crops in that section was never better than for the present season), yet seven immediately requested their names entered for $100 and eight others for $50 each. In a few minutes the amount pledged exceeded $1,700. Over one hundred subscribers were obtained for our periodicals, principally for the Signs of the Times; and about thirty gave their names as life members of the General T. and M. society. Over $300 worth of books were disposed of on the camp-ground. Seven go out from this meeting devoting their time to the missionary work, either as canvassers or colporters. Considering the limited number of brethren in this part of the State, we can but think that the results of this meeting are very encouraging.

Barbara C. Stickney, Sec.