ILLINOIS TRACT AND MISSIONARY MEETING by B. F. Merritt

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Tuesday, May 12, 1885

FromAdvent Review and Sabbath Herald, Vol. 62, No. 19

ILLINOIS TRACT AND MISSIONARY MEETING.

By B. F. Merritt

This meeting was held at Martinsville, and three days were devoted to a consideration of the work, embracing many matters of importance. There was not that number of directors present that we had hoped to see; however, the ministers and members present took hold with good will to work. Some of the topics of interest considered were, the best means of getting good religious reading into the homes of the people, the suppression of pernicious literature, the worker with whom God can work, means for the prosecution of our work, the Sabbath-school and its aims, health and temperance.

It was thought best that work be done immediately in El Paso, Peoria, Galva, and Mt. Carmel. It was urged that all our colporters who accept a license should feel themselves under moral obligation to devote their time to the work; and that they should lose no time, but enter the field at once. Sr. S. M. Shearer and Bro. Wm. R. Strader were recommended for colporters’ licenses. Vol. IV. of “Great Controversy” and “Thoughts on Daniel and the Revelation” were recommended to our agents as first in importance for circulation. The Signs canvass with “Sunshine at Home” as a premium was recommended. Some good thoughts were presented on economy and industry, and on donating to the tract and missionary work. A personal donation was recommended to be sent in with every individual report. All members of the tract society were desired to report in accordance with the provisions of our constitution. A resolution was read as follows:—

Whereas, The reading of pernicious literature leads the mind away from God, and evil results have come from it, physically, mentally, and morally; and—

Whereas, It is one of the main obstacles in the way of circulating good, substantial reading; therefore—

Resolved, That we will use every laudable means to suppress it.

Fields of labor were recommended for a number of our workers, and a readiness to act in harmony with such recommendations was manifested. Harmony prevailed throughout the meeting, and it seemed that all felt it was good to be there.

B. F. MERRITT.