MICHIGAN TRACT SOCIETY by J. Fargo; Hattie House

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Tuesday, February 24, 1885

FromThe Review and Herald, Vol. 62, No. 8

MICHIGAN TRACT SOCIETY.

By J. Fargo; Hattie House

The State quarterly meeting of the Michigan Tract Society met at Greenville Jan. 19, 1885, at 9:30 A. M. Prayer was offered by Eld. D. H. Wilson. The minutes of the last meeting, held at Madison in connection with the camp-meeting, and the meeting of directors held at Battle Creek, Jan. 12, 1884, were read and approved.

The following summary of the last quarter, ending Dec. 31, 1884, was read:—


No. of members	1,583
Reports returned	733
Members added	66
Members dismissed	22
Missionary visits	1,963
Letters written	1,349
Signs taken in clubs	1,083
Yearly subscriptions for periodicals	273
Short term subscriptions	328
Pages of tracts and pamphlets distributed	315,331
Periodicals distributed	261,397

Received on membership, donations, and sales, $2875.39; periodicals, $1874.01; on reserve fund, $401.65; on National T. and M. fund, $372.00; on European mission, $100.00; on English mission, $349.38; on Scandinavian mission, $166.50; on Mich. general fund, $675.00; on College, $371.00; on other funds, $63.95.

The attendance was not large, yet there were present eight out of the eleven directors, also a goodly number of ministers and others, and measures for the further advancement of the work in the State were considered.

The president and others made extended remarks on the importance of faithfully carrying out the reporting system, as by this means only can the true amount of missionary work done be ascertained. Attention was called to the fact that the average number of members reporting, as shown by statistics for the last year, was only forty-one per cent.

The canvassing and colporter work, embracing many points of interest, was discussed, and all seemed impressed with the necessity of urging forward the work in all the various departments by every possible means. Notwithstanding the complaints of hard times, a number of encouraging remarks were given by those present in regard to the canvassing work for “Sunshine” and Signs. Bro. B. said that it is an excellent time to do missionary work; for many who are not able to buy tracts and papers are glad to read; and the interest manifested in the views presented is astonishing. He said that all cannot be preachers, and that all cannot be successful canvassers; but all can go to their neighbors and friends, and tell them we have a precious truth, and if we are imbued with the true missionary spirit the Lord will send the truth home to their hearts. Interesting incidents were related in corroboration of this. He also gave valuable instruction as to the best method of doing colporter work.

Bro. H. W. Miller made some earnest remarks, in which he also spoke of the duty we owe to our friends and neighbors, and said if we used the same wisdom in approaching them that we do in worldly things we should have the same success. He said that he felt thankful that God caused him to cut loose from worldly things, and that what once was a burden is now a joy. We have a wonderful truth, but have not yet waked up to see what it can do; and if those who have known it for years do not take hold and carry it forward, others will.

Bro. Butler expressed himself as intensely interested in the remarks of the brethren, and was also encouraged that some had given up their worldly interests to engage in the work of God, whose blessing they had received in so doing. He spoke of the discouraging effect which would naturally be felt by some on account of so many of our best laborers being sent to other fields, yet thought they would continue to be sent, and others would be raised up to take their places; for there are scores of men who would do as good work as ministers if they would give themselves unreservedly to the cause. We need canvassers and colporters to enter our cities, and special efforts should be made by each individual to awaken an interest among those in their immediate neighborhood. Such work would give new life to churches now in a languishing condition, and our ministers and directors should encourage them in the work.

He further said that many are losing their love for the cause because they do nothing. Only about one-half of our church members take interest enough in the missionary work to join the tract society. He closed his remarks by an earnest appeal for every one to engage in the work in some capacity, as great results might be reached by individual labor.

Second meeting, at 1:30 P. M.—

After a short intermission the meeting was called to order by the President.

Bro. Sisley said that the cities of Lansing, Bay City, and Grand Rapids had been canvassed, and that in all these cities there is a deep interest to read, and that these fields are waiting for others to follow up the work with personal labor. The canvassers have nearly paid expenses, and it is not the means that is needed, but efficient men and women who are willing to give themselves to the work. He also spoke of the satisfactory results which have followed the efforts put forth in Jackson and Muskegon, and said that in watching the progress of the work he saw nothing which showed more encouraging fruits than the city missions.

The importance of carrying the work into all the large cities in our State was discussed at length, and it was the general opinion that the time had come for more active measures to be taken.

There was considerable discussion on the subject of holding general meetings, and the motion was carried that the arrangements for holding these meetings be left in the hands of the officers present; also that Eld. G. I. Butler be invited to attend these meetings. It was also moved and carried that our next State quarterly meeting be held at Battle Creek in connection with the closing exercises of the College. Interesting remarks were made showing the workings of the College tract and missionary department. It was stated that the College V. M. Society could use more REVIEWS to advantage, but were not able to pay for them. Most of the students are poor, and find it difficult after paying their expenses at the College to spare much for the tract work, though nearly all pay something. It was thought to be good policy on the part of the State Society to do all in their power to encourage this branch of the work, and as it was already furnishing free all the Signs the Society could use it was—

Voted, That we furnish free one-half of all the REVIEWS the Society will use judiciously, providing the Office will furnish free the other half.

Bro. Butler said that while he was heartily in favor of using the Signs as our pioneer paper, and hoped to see the list largely increased, yet he thought special efforts should be made to increase the list of subscribers for the REVIEW and Good Health. Other speakers endorsed these remarks, and it was moved and carried that we express it as the voice of this meeting that extra efforts should be put forth by our people throughout the Conference to extend the circulation of these papers.

Adjourned sine die. J. FARGO, Pres. HATTIE HOUSE, Sec.