INTERNATIONAL TRACT SOCIETY by S. N. Haskell; M. L. Huntley

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Tuesday, November 18, 1884

FromAdvent Review and Sabbath Herald, Vol. 61, No. 46

INTERNATIONAL TRACT SOCIETY.

By S. N. Haskell; M. L. Huntley

(Continued.)

THIRD MEETING, Nov. 7, AT 9:30 A. M.—Prayer by Eld. Geo. B. Starr. Eleven additional delegates were present: Michigan, 4; Indiana, 4; Pennsylvania, 1; Illinois, 1; and California, 1; two of whom became life-members.

Minutes of last meeting were corrected and approved. A report concerning the work of the Society during the year, consisting largely in the distribution of reading-matter outside of State T. and M. organizations, and in assisting mission work in cities, was read.

The distribution of publications sent directly from the publishing houses, including what has been sent to city missions, amounts to $4238.98, at less than wholesale prices. In addition to this, from fifty to seventy-five barrels and boxes have been sent out for the International Society from So. Lancaster, Mass., as follows: Two to Portland, Me.; eleven to Boston; one to Chelsea, Mass.; two to Providence, R. I.; eight to New York City; one each to Baltimore, Md., Raleigh, N. C., Corsicana, Tex., Charleston, S. C., Dalton, and Savannah, Ga., New Orleans, La., Toronto, Canada, Thomasville and Fowlstown, Ga., Hayti, W. I., and British Guiana, S. A. Five or more barrels have been sent to Bro. Drew, England. Boxes have also been sent by order of the Secretary from Battle Creek, Mich., and the depositories in Dakota, Missouri, etc., to England, St. Louis, Chicago, and other places. Of this quantity, twenty-five barrels have been sent to different missions not of our faith where responsible persons are actively engaged in using them in their missionary work. Free transportation has been secured from Boston and New York City to different points on the Atlantic coast, and to other nations; also in some instances to the interior of Southern States by rail. The providence of God has been very marked in opening the way for the spread of the truth.

The aggregate weight of the periodicals sent from So. Lancaster in these barrels is 4729 lbs., or what would equal about 9,000,000 pages of tracts. The amount sent from Battle Creek and other State societies would probably equal half this amount, making the entire distribution of reading-matter by this Society, including what has been sent direct from the publishing houses, about twice as great as that distributed by all the State societies. The publications sent in barrels, which have gone to various seamen’s missions, bethels, hospitals, large day and Sunday-schools, etc., have been gladly received.

TREASURER’S REPORT.

	Amount
Cash on hand last year,	$1,243.16
Received on donations,	4,123.70
“ ” sales,	1,002.67
Total,	$6,369.53
Paid for periodicals,	$2,257.89
“ ” publications,	1,481.09
“ ” bound books to libraries,	113.99
“ ” ” city missions,	200.40
“History of Waldenses,” Dictionaries, Signs and Good Health binders,	1,323.95
Tract holders,	101.00
Certificates, and other expenses,	525.61
Cash on hand to balance,	365.60
Total,	$6,369.53

FINANCIAL STANDING.

	Amount
Cash on hand,	$365.60
Value of books on hand,	650.00
Due on books sold,	132.41
“ ” pledges paid at Pacific Press,	700.00
Total net assets,	$1,848.01

The Committee on Resolutions presented the following report:—

1. Resolved, That we urge all our local societies to put forth a vigorous effort to systematically work up an interest in the truth in such a portion of the territory adjoining them as they can thoroughly canvass, following it up by earnest missionary and colporter work, and that so far as consistent, all members be invited to act some part in the work.

Whereas, There are many large villages and towns in the various Conferences which we cannot hope to reach immediately with tent labor, and which are not large enough to warrant a continued effort, such as is made in the city missions; therefore—

2. Resolved, That we recommend the plan of sending two or more suitable persons, either brethren or sisters, to such places, where they can find homes with brethren, or rent rooms and board themselves, to remain long enough to thoroughly canvass the place with our publications, and do such other missionary work as may seem needful.

3. Resolved, That each year’s experience gives us increasing confidence in the plan of sending out colporters to work up, in advance, an interest in the truth in those places where it is intended to hold a tent-meeting.

4. Resolved, That we approve of the plan of family Bible-readings being held everywhere by suitable persons, and especially recommend them as an effectual means of getting the truth before the people in our city mission work.

Whereas, The parlors and reading-rooms of our best hotels offer a rare opportunity to reach the traveling public with present truth, and experience has shown that the Signs of the Times and Good Health will find many readers if placed upon the tables of these rooms; therefore—

5. Resolved, That we recommend local societies and individuals to supply these periodicals regularly to these and similar places where they will be kept and read.

Whereas, Each year’s experience gives us more confidence in the efficiency of missionary work done on ships and railroad lines; therefore—

6. Resolved, That we recommend a more general effort in this line, and especially the placing of tract and periodical distributors in railway depots and on ships and steamers, these distributors to be kept in place only as long as it is evident that they are useful, and arrangements can be made to keep them well supplied with reading-matter.

Whereas, The experience of our vigilant missionary workers has proved that good results from systematic, continued labor put forth in one locality; therefore—

7. Resolved, That we approve of the plan of each local society selecting some special territory to which to mail the Signs, and thus give it a thorough canvass before leaving it for another field.

8. Resolved, That we recommend to our branch societies the sale of the engraving “Christ the Way of Life,” in connection with other mission work, especially in the cities and larger towns.

9. Resolved, That we express our desire that enlarged illustrated editions of “Sketches from the Life of Paul” and “United States in Prophecy” be prepared expressly for the use of our canvassers and colporters, and that the titles be so changed as to attract popular attention.

Whereas, There will be representatives from all nations of the earth at the International Exposition, or World’s Fair, which opens at New Orleans next December, presenting a rare opportunity to send seeds of present truth to “every nation, kindred, tongue, and people;” therefore—

10. Resolved, That we recommend that the various branches of the work connected with the cause of the third angel’s message be represented at this assembly of the nations.

11. Resolved, That immediate steps be taken by this Society to open up a city mission in New Orleans, and to organize an efficient corps of workers under the immediate direction of the President of this Society to labor in disseminating the light of present truth, by scattering our periodicals, obtaining addresses, and such other work as the occasion may demand.

11. Resolved, That we invite the different State Societies and our institutions to provide and support the laborers, and furnish the publications to carry on this important general enterprise.

Moved and supported to adopt this report by considering each resolution separately.

Adjourned to call of Chair.

S. N. HASKELL, Pres. M. L. HUNTLEY, Sec.

(To be continued.)