New England T. and M. Society.
The New England T. and M. Society held its quarterly meeting at Washington, N. H., May 29, 30. On account of the busy season of the year, but few of our brethren and sisters from a distance were present at this meeting, but those in the vicinity turned out generally. Eld. D. A. Robinson, the Vice-president of the society, was the only minister in attendance. Sabbath morning nearly all present participated in the exercises of the Sabbath-school, and during the day Eld. Robinson gave three practical discourses, two of which were followed by short seasons of social worship. On Sunday the unfavorable weather prevented the attendance of those from outside who had been expected; but three meetings were held by our people, two of them business sessions of the New England T. and M. and H. and T. societies. It is seldom that the friends in this section are favored with a general meeting, and we hope the earnest words of exhortation and counsel given here will prove a source of encouragement and strength to them, and that the blessing of the Lord will abide with them as in years past. The business meeting of the New England T. and M. Society was held May 30. It was called to order by the Vice-president at 9:30 A. M., and opened by singing and prayer. The report of the preceding meeting was then read and approved, and the reports of labor performed during the two past quarters were given. These reports showed an improvement in many respects, especially in the sales effected by the society. We then listened with interest to remarks from the Vice-president upon the true missionary spirit and work. This spirit must be possessed by all. It should be instilled into the minds of the children; and as we draw nearer the end we must drink in more and more of it, or we shall draw back and fail of eternal life. Those who are finally saved in the kingdom of God will be those who have had some practical part in the work of God, and our lives are none too precious to be worn out in the cause of truth. Those who remain indifferent in such a work as this are running a fearful risk. This kind of labor proves a real benefit to the church, since those companies who engage in it have something better than petty difficulties and trials to occupy their minds. We too often see the youth in the bloom and vigor of health with little interest or part in the missionary work; while those who are worn with the toils and cares of years, labor on in weariness and infirmities to help advance the cause which to them is dear as life. We should work on untiringly, although we may never be permitted to know the results of our efforts until we see them in the kingdom of God. Other officers of the tract society bore testimony to their love for the missionary work, relating some of their experience in connection with it; and some interesting letters were read. The subject of the Signs of the Times was here considered, and pledges were made by the friends in Washington and vicinity sufficient to pay for fifty-seven copies of the twelve-page edition, which is double the number taken by them the past year. At 12:30 P. M. the meeting adjourned. D. A. Robinson, Vice-pres.
Eliza Thayer, Sec. Kansas T. and M. Society.
First Meeting, May 20, 1880.—The minutes of the fourth annual session were read and approved. The President, having been authorized by vote to appoint the usual committees, announced the following: On Nominations: J. Lamont, John Gibbs, and G. C. Beach; On Resolutions: J. H. Coffman, N. W. Vincent, and Oscar Hill; To Audit Treasurer’s Account: John Gibbs and G. H. Rogers. On motion, it was voted that a committee of three be appointed by the Chair, to consider the expediency of amending our Constitution by substituting such articles of the Constitution generally adopted by other State societies as differ from ours. J. Lamont, L. D. Santee, and Marshall Enoch were appointed such committee. Adjourned to call of Chair. Second Meeting, May 21.—Minutes of the previous meeting read and approved. The Committee on Nominations submitted a partial report, as follows: For Vice-president, Eld. Joseph Lamont, Mound City, Kan.; Secretary and Treasurer, Mrs. Ada A. Dawson, Ottawa; Directors: Dist. No. 1, J. A. Ashbaugh, Salem, Jewell Co.; No. 2, J. S. Bagby, Clifton, Washington Co.; No. 3, T. H. Wakeman, Palermo, Doniphan Co.; No. 4, W. M. Dail, Osawkee, Jefferson Co.; No. 5, John Gibbs, Williamsburg, Franklin Co.; No. 6, A. G. Miller, Topeka, Shawnee Co.; No. 7, —; No. 8, R. F. Barton, Elivon, Rice Co.; No. 9, H. C. Main, Clarion, Sedgwick Co.; No. 10, Oscar Hill, Grenola, Elk Co.; No. 11, A. W. Cone, Uniontown, Bourbon Co.; No. 12, Robert Aitken, Parsons, Labette Co. The Committee on Resolutions reported the following, which, after remarks by Elds. Butler and Corliss, and others, were unanimously adopted: Resolved, 1. That we hereby express gratitude to God for his abundant blessings which have attended the tract and missionary work in our State, notwithstanding the weakness of our efforts; and that we pledge ourselves to take a more earnest interest in the welfare of our fellow-men in the future than we have shown in the past. 2. That we will not rest satisfied until every Seventh-day Adventist in Kansas becomes a working member of our T. and M. society. 3. That we recommend the formation of vigilant missionary societies, where practicable, throughout the State. 4. That we urge our members to become life-members of the General Tract and Missionary Society. The Committee on the Amendment of the Constitution reported, recommending that we adopt the Constitution submitted to them for examination (the one in general use), in all points where said Constitution differs from ours, except Article VI. After these differences had been explained, the society adopted the amendment as recommended by the committee. Adjourned to call of Chair. Third Meeting, May 23.—Minutes of last meeting approved. The Committee on Nominations submitted an additional report, recommending for President, Eld. Smith Sharp, of Ottawa, Kan. Eld. Sharp was then unanimously elected. The society adjourned sine die. Smith Sharp, Pres.
Mrs. Ada A. Dawson, Sec.