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Review and Herald, Vol. 52, No. 7.

AN APPEAL TO THE MINISTERS
Earlier text: CONDITION OF THE POPE

THE SABBATH-SCHOOL.

By Ellen G. White

Vital godliness is a principle to be cultivated. The power of God can accomplish for us that which all the systems in the world cannot effect. The perfection of Christian character depends wholly upon the grace and strength found alone in God. Without the power of grace upon the heart, assisting our efforts and sanctifying our labors, we shall fail of saving our own souls, and of saving the souls of others. System and order are highly essential, but none should receive the impression that these will do the work without the grace and power of God operating upon the mind and heart. Heart and flesh would fail in the round of ceremonies, and in the carrying out of our plans, without the power of God to inspire and give courage to perform.
There should be discipline and order in our Sabbath-schools. Children who attend these schools should prize the privileges they enjoy. They should be required to observe the regulations of the Sabbath-school. And even greater care should be taken by the parents that their children should have their Scripture lessons learned perfectly than they take with their lessons in the common schools. If parents and children see no necessity for this interest, then the children might better remain at home; for the Sabbath-school will fail to prove a blessing to them. Parents and children should work in harmony with teachers and superintendent, thus giving evidence that they appreciate the labor put forth for them. Parents should have an especial interest in the religious education of their children, that they may have a more thorough knowledge of the Scriptures.
There are many children who plead a lack of time as a reason why their Sabbath-school lessons are not learned. There are few who cannot find time to learn their lessons if they have an interest in them. Some devote time to amusement and sightseeing, while others devote time to the needless trimming of their dress for display, thus cultivating pride and vanity. The precious hours thus prodigally spent are God's time, for which they must render an account to him. The hours spent in needless ornamentation, or in amusements and idle conversation, will, with every work, be brought into judgment.
MRS. E. G. WHITE.

SABBATH-SCHOOLS

By S. N. Haskell

There is no institution in our midst so important to our children and youth as the Sabbath-school. There is no field of labor where the influence exerted will be more effectual than it will be here. It will be found that a large proportion of those finally saved in the kingdom of Heaven have received their earliest impressions at the Sabbath-school. It is the nursery in which to prepare children for Heaven. There is nothing which will give parents and guardians greater joy in the day of God than to know that those placed under their care are saved in the everlasting kingdom. A wonderful prophecy is found in Malachi 4:5, 6. Speaking of the time prior to “the great and dreadful day of the Lord,” the prophet says, “He shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers.” A special work relative to parents and children is here alluded to, which is to take place among the people of God just before the coming of Jesus Christ. It is to be general among the people, and the Sabbath-school is one means by which this is to be accomplished. The importance of Sabbath-school interests has not been realized by our brethren. This, no doubt, is owing in part to the fact that many of our brethren are so scattered that they do not have the privilege of meeting together. Hence little has been said in reference to it in the past.
Our churches at the present time are becoming numerous, and many of our children are going to ruin; and they need such instruction as can be obtained nowhere but at the fireside and in the Sabbath-school.
We have often found families sending their children to Sunday-schools because there was no Sabbath-school in the place where they lived. Here they soon form associations and attachments wholly detrimental to the spirit of present truth. In a short time, Seventh-day Adventism becomes distasteful to them. It is more difficult to reach them than those who have attended no school.

THE NATURE OF THESE SABBATH-SCHOOLS.

The Sabbath-schools among Seventh-day Adventists should be the most interesting and instructive schools in the world. Every influence connected with them should be calculated to lead the youth to God, and to love his truth and his work on earth.
The object to be accomplished is not simply to while away the hours of the Sabbath, but to store the youthful mind with divine truths, and to do this in a way that will lead them to fall in love with that which is holy, just, and good. It will be necessary for the teacher to meet his pupils oftener than in the class on the Sabbath, if they are unconverted. Have special meetings with them, pray with them personally and collectively, and be not satisfied until each member of the class has given his heart to God. Here is a field for missionary labor, and it should be entered upon with a heart full of faith, hope, and love. Another question of importance arises:—

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?

Every individual who is old enough to be instructed in the things of God, should attend the Sabbath-school. Parents and guardians should show their interest in the school by co-operating with the teachers, and by taking an interest in the lessons of the children during the week. They should assist them in learning their lessons, and should speak encouraging words to them with reference to the school. They should also show their interest in the school by attending it themselves. There are none too old to learn. Solomon, with all his wisdom, sought “to find out acceptable words”; and that which was written was upright, even words of truth.” If there are aged brethren and sisters who cannot commit the lessons to memory, have a Bible-class adapted to them. Do not fail to show your interest by your presence. This is important. Even if the youth and children should become interested, if older people stay away they will get the impression that it is not necessary for some to attend, and they will soon consider themselves among the “some.” Therefore we say to the old and the young, Attend the Sabbath-school. Take an interest in it. Talk about it when at home. Do not find fault or speak of failures. If you have anything of that kind to say, go to the proper person, but do not say it before your children. Speak to them of the good, and exert an encouraging influence.

TEACHERS.

Who should be teachers? is a question of much importance, especially when we consider the interest of the Sabbath-school. The simple fact that a brother has been long in the truth does not qualify him to be a teacher. He may or may not be the person best qualified. In a recent number of the REVIEW, Bro. Bell made some excellent remarks on this subject, from which we take the following:—
“The highest qualification is the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, bearing its fruit of faith, love, and good works. The Sabbath-school teacher who takes hold of the work unwillingly, grudging the time and labor requisite to success, will be likely to beget the same spirit in his class. Love of God, of the truth, and of mankind, must prompt every successful worker.
“The Sabbath-school teacher must love the truth which he teaches. That love must glow in his heart until it will show itself in his countenance, in his words, and in every modulation of his voice. Such a teacher carries a kind of inspiration with him.
“The teacher must be earnest, active, faithful, free from sentimentalism and affectation. Persons who have all these qualifications are not easily found, but the superintendent must use the best material at hand, and try to develop the qualities that are lacking. Those who do not know how to teach, can learn. Those who lack love, and faith, and earnestness, and activity, should be encouraged to seek God for aid in acquiring these graces.
“Other things being equal, young women generally make the best teachers for children. An intelligent, godly young woman who loves the lambs of the fold because Christ died for them, and who has some tact in teaching, is a priceless blessing to a Sabbath-school. So far as their character and qualifications will allow, young people should be pressed into the Sabbath-school work. Not that the work should be left to them, but that they may bear a part of the burden, and be gaining an experience that will fit them for usefulness. As a rule, young people can be more easily molded into successful teachers than older people, whose habits in life have become fixed.”
S. N. HASKELL.

Our Field Is the World.

Our field is the world; let us forth to the sowing, O’er valley and mountain, o’er desert and plain, Beside the still waters, through cool meadows flowing. O’er regions unblessed by the dew and the rain; Let us scatter the seed, though in sorrow and weeping, Though fields should be verdureless, wintry, and bare, The Lord of the harvest hath still in his keeping Each seed as it falls, and will keep it with care.
Our field is the world; let us forth to the reaping, The long day is waning, the eve draweth nigh, Now omens of storm up the heavens are creeping, The sigh of the tempest is heard in the sky; The work-hour is brief, but the rest is forever; Then stay not for weariness, languor, or pain, But forth to the reaping, with earnest endeavor, And gather with gladness the sheaves that remain.
Our field is the world; let us forth to the gleaning, The store may be small that our labors reward, Yet One from the height of his glory is leaning, Attent to behold what we do for the Lord; Where, haply, some reaper has passed on with singing, O’er laden with sheaves for the garner above, May yet be a handful that waits for our bringing, To crown with completeness the stores of his love.
Our field is the world; whether sowing or reaping, Or gleaning the handfuls that others have passed, Or waiting the growth of the seed, that with weeping On rocky and desolate plains we have cast, Yet each for his toiling, and each for his mourning, Shall sometime rejoice when the harvest is won, And know in the hush of eternity’s morning, That the toil, the reward, and the glory are one.
—Advocate and Guardian.

IS IT A MODEL CLASS?

By E. T. Bedee

As we have come to visit the Sabbath-school, let us be seated in one of the classes.
The session opens with singing and prayer.
The superintendent calls for the recitation of single passages of Scripture. About one quarter of the school succeed in repeating a verse. The recitation of the lesson is now in order.
Teacher.—Sr. A., what must be the nature of the Judgment work in which the saints engage?
Sr. A.—What page is it on, please?
T.—Page 286.
(Here you notice, to your astonishment, that many of the pupils have question books open, prepared to say the lesson—read the answers from the book.)
Sr. A.—(Reads the answer.)
T.—What caution is given in 1 Cor. 4:5?
Bro. B.—(After looking for the text about a minute and a half, reads the verse.)
T.—Why are the saints forbidden to judge before the Lord shall come?
Sr. B.—I have been so busy this week that really—(Sr. A. shows her the answer, which she reads all right.)
T.—(Asks a general question to “any one.”)
This person must have been absent; for silence reigned for about the space of half a minute.
My brother, this is a sample of the way that some recite their Sabbath-school lesson. How is it with you?
E. T. BEDEE.
Rowley, Mass.

THE SABBATH-SCHOOL ASSOCIATION OF SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS.

The following form of a State Constitution was proposed by Brn. D. M. Canright, G. H. Bell, and W. C. White, the committee appointed for that purpose by the Michigan State S. S. Association:—
For the purpose of awakening a deeper interest in Sabbath-school work, and of securing uniformity of method in our schools, a Sabbath-school Association is hereby organized by the Seventh-day Adventists of (here give name of State) in quarterly meeting assembled this _ day of ___, 18—. This Association is to be governed by the following Constitution:—

CONSTITUTION.

ARTICLE I. NAME.

This Society shall be known as the ________ Sabbath-school Association of Seventh-day Adventists.

ARTICLE II. MEMBERSHIP.

This Association shall be composed of all the members of such Sabbath-schools as shall report quarterly to the Secretary.

ARTICLE III. REPRESENTATION.

SECTION 1. DELEGATES.—The several schools shall be represented in business session by delegates whom they shall appoint.
SEC. 2. APPOINTMENT.—Each Sabbath-school of fifteen members is entitled to one delegate, and one additional delegate for each additional fifteen members.
SEC. 3. SUPERINTENDENTS.—All the Superintendents present at a meeting of this Association shall be received as delegates.

ARTICLE IV. OFFICERS.

The officers of this Association shall be a President, a Secretary, and an Executive Board of three, of which the President shall be one. These officers shall be elected at the annual meeting of the Association.

ARTICLE V. DUTIES OF PRESIDENT.

The duties of the President shall be to preside at all the meetings of the Association and of the Executive Board, and to call special meetings thereof.

ARTICLE VI. DUTIES OF SECRETARY.

SEC. 1. AS SECRETARY (1) He shall keep a record of the proceedings of the Association, and present a yearly summary of its workings at the annual meeting. (2) He shall attend the meetings of the Executive Board, and keep a record of its proceedings. (3) He shall execute all the correspondence ordered by the Association and by the Executive Board.
SEC. 2. AS TREASURER.—He shall also act as treasurer of the Association, and shall receive and hold all moneys belonging to the Association, giving receipts therefor, and paying out the same as the Association or the Executive Board may direct.

ARTICLE VII. DUTIES OF EXECUTIVE BOARD.

The functions of the Executive Board shall be: (1) To represent this Association when not in session assembled, and to execute all its recommendations and orders. (2) To assist, either personally or by authorized agents, in organizing and conducting Sabbath-schools, and Sunday-schools in those places where an attendance can be secured, and where the truths of the Bible can be plainly taught. (3) To make all necessary provisions for rendering the sessions of the Association interesting and profitable; and in general, to labor to make our Sabbath-schools efficient in preparing their members to be fruitful workers in the grand mission of the third angel’s message.

ARTICLE VIII. FUNDS.

The funds for defraying the expenses of this Association shall be obtained by contributions from the several schools in the State, and by individual donations.

ARTICLE IX. AMENDMENTS.

This Constitution may be altered or amended by a two-thirds vote of the delegates present at any regular meeting.

VERMONT T. AND M. SOCIETY.

By Thomas H. Purdon

According to appointment in REVIEW, the Vermont T. and M. Society held its quarterly meeting at Jericho, July 20, 1878. Owing to the unusual interest in the tent-meetings at Cabot, the president was not with us. A few brethren from other churches came quite a distance to attend the meeting; and although we were disappointed in not having preaching, yet we felt that the blessing of God rested upon our efforts to worship him. All expressed their love for the truth and their desire to do more in the Master's vineyard. The good news from the work in Vermont, as well as from other portions of the great harvest field, was cheering to all.
Our business meeting was held in the evening. After the usual opening exercises, the report of the previous quarter was read and accepted. The following report for the quarter ending July 1 does not include all the work performed, as some of the districts had not reported:—
Membership, 261
Reports returned, 84
Letters written, 58
Families visited, 38
New subscribers for REVIEW, 4
“ “ REFORMER, 1
“ “ INSTRUCTOR 9
Periodicals given away, 1,974
Pages tracts “ “ 37,510
Annuals distributed, 266
The treasurer's report was as follows:—
Amt. of indebtedness April 1, $55.95
Cash paid out during qr., 238.99
$294.94
Received during qr., 306.18
On hand, $11.24
THOS. H. PURDON, Sec.

IOWA AND NEBRASKA T. AND M. SOCIETY.

By H. Nicola; C. G. Johnston

This society met in quarterly session at Marion, Iowa, July 21, 1878, at 9 o’clock A. M. The president, H. Nicola, and three of the directors, Brn. Chapman, Andre, and Adams, were present. Meeting opened with prayer by Bro. Mitchell.
The minutes of the preceding meeting were read and approved.
The report of labor for the quarter ending July 1, 1878, was read, a condensed statement of which is as follows:—
Total
Families Visited 480
Letters Written 282
Money Received 218.87
New Subs with Premiums 30
Papers Sent to Friends 155
Periodicals Distributed 2,465
Annuals Distributed 485
Books Pres. to Libraries 16
Pages of Tracts and Pamphlets Distributed 1,294,769
Number of Members 578
Reports Sent Out 1,165
No. Reports Returned 206
The report of the financial standing of the districts showed that Dists. 1, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, and 15 are in debt as follows: Dist. No. 1, $13.59; No. 5, 12.79; No. 6, 6.09; No. 7, 4.07; No. 8, 11.58; No. 9, 6.10; No. 10, 126.98; No. 12, 34.81; No. 15, 2.35. Dists. 2, 3, 4, 11, 13, and 14 have credits as follows: Dist. No. 2, $67.41; No. 3, 35.90; No. 4, 30.49; No. 11, 67.68; No. 13, 40.18; No. 14, 45.70.
The matter of a State Sabbath-school organization having been called up, the following resolution was adopted:—
Resolved, That we approve of the proposition of the General Conference to form State Sabbath-school organizations; and to this end recommend that each Sabbath-school, at the time of the election of delegates to the State Conference, elect a delegate to meet other like delegates at the camp-meeting, there to form such organization.
On motion, the following resolutions were adopted:—
Resolved, That we hereby invite Bro. Haskell to attend our annual meeting to be held in connection with the Iowa camp-meeting, and that we request Eld. Farnsworth to write him to that effect.
Resolved, That we approve of the General Conference plan of raising means for the erection of a tabernacle at Battle Creek, Mich., and we recommend our librarians to carry out the plan suggested.
Adjourned. H. Nicola, Pres. C. G. Johnston, Sec.

NEW ENGLAND T. AND M. SOCIETY.

REPORT OF LABOR FOR THE QUARTER ENDING JULY 1, 1878.
Directors District No. of Members Reports Returned Families Visited Letters Written Sub. obt. for Review. Sub. for Reformer. Sub. for Instructor. Sub. for Signs. Periodicals Distributed. Annuals Distributed. Pages of Tracts and Pamphlets Distributed. Money Received
J. C. Tucker, A. Wood, S. Martin, H. J. Wakefield, F. T. Washburn, E. G. Boller, S. R. Israel, E. N. Orcutt. Total. 857 181 392 715 15 88 88 114 4957 342 82452 $294.95

QUARTERLY REPORT OF V. M. SOCIETY AT SOUTH LANCASTER, MASS.

By Eliza Thayer

No. of letters written, 262 No. of letters received, 84 Families visited, 79 Periodical distributed, 1066 Pages of tracts and pamphlets, 1164 Subscribers obt’d for periodicals, 60 Money received, $53 09
ELIZA THAYER, Asst. Sec. N. E. T. and M. Society.

Illinois T. and M. Society.

By Lizzie S. Campbell

The report of the Illinois T. and M. Society for the quarter ending June 30, 1878, is as follows:—
Total reported Amount
No. of Members 984
Reports Returned 129
Families Visited 7,292
Letters Written 457
New Subscribers for our Periodicals 8
Papers Sent on Trial 18
Periodicals Distributed 26,294
Pages of Tracts and Pamphlets Distributed 134,665
Annuals Distributed 783
Money Received $91.94
Lizzie S. Campbell, Sec.

NEW YORK AND PENNSYLVANIA T. AND M. SOCIETY.

By B. L. Whitney; E. H. Whitney

REPORT OF LABOR FOR THE QUARTER ENDING JULY 1, 1878.

Total District measure
464 No. of Members.
121 Reports Returned.
629 Families Visited.
658 Letters Written.
176037 Pages of Tracts and Pamphlets distributed.
11 Subscribers obtained for Review.
52 Instructor.
15 Reformer.
105 Signs.
5685 Periodicals Distributed.
3851.96 Money Received.
No State meeting was held this quarter. No. 9 sends no report, except that one of its librarians sent directly to us the report of labor of that church.
No. 11 had received nothing from one of its societies. So we are disappointed in our hope of being able to send a full report this time, although we made quite an effort to secure it. But we have not given up hoping yet.
B. L. Whitney, Pres.
E. H. Whitney, Sec.

INDIANA TRACT SOCIETY.

By J. W. Covert

The State quarterly meeting of the Indiana Tract and Missionary Society will be held in connection with the camp-meeting at Kokomo, Aug. 14-19. The following is a summary of the labor performed in districts No. 1, 2, 3, and 5, during the last quarter. No report has been received from No. 4.
No. of members, 119
“ “ reports returned, 75
“ “ families visited, 61
“ “ letters written, 119
“ “ subscribers obtained for REVIEW, 9
“ “ subscribers obtained for REFORMER, 9
“ “ subscribers obtained for INSTRUCTOR, 5
“ “ subscribers obtained for SIGN OF THE TIMES, 15
“ “ periodicals distributed, 1208
“ “ Annuals distributed, 82
“ “ pages of tracts and pamphlets distributed, 40,961
Money received, $81 27
J. W. Covert, Sec.

FINANCES

By Stephen N. Haskell

CONSIDERABLE has been said in reference to the indebtedness of the tract societies; but as yet this debt has been diminished only about $1000. Soon it will be necessary to order books for the camp-meetings, which will increase this indebtedness. As a remedy for this, and to assist the Publishing Association to go forward with the various enterprises depending upon it, it has been suggested that each tract society raise a fund sufficient to pay present indebtedness and also to pay for a supply of publications to be kept on deposit in each Conference. The present indebtedness of the tract societies at the REVIEW Office is $11,227; at the SIGNS Office $5,314, making a total of $16,541. Instead of this indebtedness, these societies should have a surplus of at least $10,000. This would make twenty thousand dollars' difference with the REVIEW Office, and would relieve the SIGNS Office by advance pay, besides enabling the tract societies to do a cash business with both offices, and to have a good supply of publications on hand to be furnished to their respective districts.
This should be brought about by January, 1879, so far, at least, as to pay this indebtedness. During 1879 let there be a prompt settlement each quarter, and before the year closes the tract societies will have sufficient funds to do a cash business. This can easily be accomplished if all our brethren take hold of the matter, commencing this summer at the various camp-meetings, to raise a fund. This fund will be kept good by each individual paying to the tract society a sum equal to one-third his systematic benevolence. At first, this may seem to be asking too much of the tract societies. There are but few, not directly connected with the offices, who appreciate the circumstances of the two offices at the present time. The wants of the cause have so increased that during the Conference year of 1877 and '78 it has been absolutely necessary to add buildings, presses, and other machinery to the Office at Battle Creek, at a cost of not less than $12,000. The SIGNS Office is in a similar condition, having been obliged to enlarge its facilities to meet the increased demands of the cause.
It has now become necessary to erect a house of worship at Battle Creek, that will seat not less than twenty-five hundred people. This will cost, according to the most careful estimates, from twelve to fifteen thousand dollars. This house must be built immediately. Much of this money will have to be advanced, as the house should be completed by autumn.
Now what shall be done? I know our brethren love the cause, and I verily believe that all the brethren and sisters will feel interested to do their utmost that the cause be not hindered for want of means. Every branch of the work needs funds to carry it forward and keep up with the providence of God. But what we are pleading for in this article is that the tract societies help, by promptly paying their indebtedness. This is but just and right, and God's blessing will rest upon them if they do this. Another consideration is that one hundred dollars could be judiciously employed in the missionary work where ten are now used; but were plans now laid to do this, they could not be carried out without greatly embarrassing both the workers and the Association. Soon will come our fall campaign of missionary labor, with its demands for Health Annuals, premiums for canvassers, etc., etc. To move forward here, funds will be required by every society.
Many of our Conferences have not held a general quarterly meeting for the quarter ending with the month of July, and therefore there will not be as much money paid in this quarter as usual; but do not forget the wants of the Associations. What is due on the SIGNS up to July 1, should be sent immediately to the SIGNS Office, Oakland, Cal., and each district should forward to their State secretary or treasurer what is in their hands, so that as large a payment as possible can be made to the Publishing Association at Battle Creek. Yes, more; individuals should feel that a few dollars now will be of great service in the cause of God. A little sacrifice on the part of each of our brethren just now to help financially, will be appreciated at the headquarters of God's work on the earth.
A few Conferences have commenced nobly on raising the fund here referred to. New York, three months ago, had not less than $1,500 pledged toward a three-thousand-dollar fund to be paid this fall. Michigan will come out ahead this fall. New England will raise $2,000 at their camp-meeting. We feel very anxious about this matter, as we see that the cause is so enlarging in all its departments, and there are more extensive enterprises for our tract societies than have yet been entered upon. The Lord is soon coming, and what we do must be done quickly.
That the tract societies may move understandingly, the Office will send to each society a statement of their present indebtedness. This may be obtained at the camp-meetings, and we hope there will be a general effort made to place the tract societies in the condition above referred to.

PUBLICATIONS.

When the tract societies were first organized, they dealt almost exclusively in tracts, which they gave away. What bound books they used were placed in libraries. The Office retained its retail trade, but the tract societies were helped by a book fund, which paid one-half of the wholesale price of the tracts. This book fund finally became exhausted, and the tract societies began to receive the benefit of the retail trade. That is, they purchased all the publications at wholesale prices, and sold to the brethren, at retail prices, such as were not for free distribution, which gave a profit to the societies. (We will remark just here that there is no objection to this plan.) Money was still received at the Office directly, more or less, from our regular subscribers. But it was soon ascertained that as the tract societies were constantly doing business with the Office, it was more convenient for many of our brethren to do their business through the societies. This was all right, but the Office depended largely upon this money to pay for paper, help, etc., and therefore when our societies have not been prompt in remitting it at least quarterly, the offices have felt its loss. The book sales differ from the regular tract business, in that the latter is a constant drain on the society, while the former is cash.

THE PERIODICAL BOOK.

The periodical book was prepared to enable tract societies to keep their periodical account with churches and individuals, separate from their tract account. This periodical account will show, first, all who subscribe and pay cash; second, all who pay monthly for the SIGNS, or the poor who thus pay for the REVIEW and the REFORMER. This money should be collected promptly, and at least as often as every quarter forwarded to the office at which it is due. It would be better to pay oftener than once a quarter when it is practicable to do so. No doubt many of our brethren think that just my pledge, or my subscription is so small that it does not amount to much; but one dollar each from one thousand members makes one thousand dollars. It is the little sums that have been wanting, which have caused such a debt on the tract societies.

THE DIME TABERNACLE.

Many hundred circulars have been sent out to our tract societies and others to solicit pledges on the meeting-house to be built at Battle Creek. Three papers have been sent; one, setting forth the necessity for a house, its object, etc.; another, designed for the names of the donors and the amount of their donations monthly, to be preserved by the librarian; a third, upon which the names of the donors should be written, to be forwarded with the money donated, one paper each month, to REVIEW AND HERALD, Battle Creek, Mich. These papers were sent in many instances directly to the librarians, that the first month's donations might be returned immediately to the Office, so there might be funds to commence at once on the house. In some instances, two or three may have been sent to different individuals in the same church, or company of Sabbath-keepers, but wherever there is a tract society officer, the business should be done through him. If there are two or three officers in the same church, the highest tract officer should act as agent and forward papers and donations to the Office of the REVIEW AND HERALD.
There are five classes whom we expect to act as special agents in forwarding the funds to the REVIEW AND HERALD. 1. Those acting as librarians in each church tract society; 2. Ministers, who travel everywhere; 3. Individuals living where there is no church or company; 4. We expect a hearty co-operation on the part of all the tract society officers; 5. Also from the leading brethren or sisters in any church or company where there is no tract society organized. All the brethren and sisters, and the children, will want to be represented in the largest house of worship ever erected by Seventh-day Adventists, at their most central point. We expect to see the dimes returning monthly for one year from all interested in the third angel's message. A list of the donors will be published each quarter. S. N. HASKELL.

MAINE T. AND M. SOCIETY.

By Wm. Blaisdell; R. J. Goodrich

The State quarterly meeting of this society was held with the church at Somerset Mills, July 21, 1878, at 9 o’clock A. M. Meeting opened by singing and prayer. The president and vice-president being absent, Bro. Wm. Blaisdell was chosen to act as chairman. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and accepted.
The report of the quarter just closed was read, which is as follows:—
Number of reports returned, 60 “ “ families visited, 557 “ “ letters written, 627 “ “ “ received, 111 “ “ new subscribers, 67 “ “ periodicals given away, 3,124 “ “ pages tracts “ “ 46,964 “ “ “ “ loaned, 5,537 “ “ Annuals distributed, 217 “ “ books furnished libraries, 4
Money rec’d from book sales, $65.52 “ “ “ subscriptions, 13.30 “ “ “ membership, 3.75 “ “ by donations, 15.76 Total receipts, $98.33
The labor performed by the V. M. societies in Dists. 1 and 3 was as follows:—
Number of families visited, 181 “ “ letters written, 345 “ “ “ received, 111 “ “ periodicals distributed, 1,467 “ “ pages tracts given away, 9,852 “ “ “ “ loaned, 4,537 “ “ Annuals distributed, 4 “ “ books furnished to libraries, 4
Some interesting remarks were then made by Bro. Blaisdell.
Adjourned to call of chair.
Wm. Blaisdell, Pres. pro tem. R. J. Goodrich, Sec.

GENERAL SUMMARY OF MISSIONARY LABOR.

By M. L. Huntley

We are happy to present to the missionary workers the above quarterly summary of missionary labor from the various tract society reports. General quarterly meetings not having been held in many of the State Conferences the past quarter, it has been difficult for the State secretaries to obtain full reports from the various districts. Reports from districts No. 1 and 2, New York; 2, 6 and 7, Kansas; and 3, Missouri, have been forwarded to us since the regular reports from these societies were received. This is much better than to keep the report of the whole society waiting for a report from, perhaps, only one or two churches, until it is too late for the Supplement. In a note received from the secretary of the Kentucky tract society (which she will please pardon us for introducing here), she says, “I intended to have sent our report to you before this, but Bro. ——, of ——, has delayed sending me his, on account of one of the churches not having reported to him.”
This doubtless illustrates how it is in every Conference. Some churches and districts are always prompt, while others are always inclined to the opposite. It is not just, that such should share with those who are remiss in this duty the mortification and discouraging effect of apparent negligence. Therefore we say to the State secretaries, Send in your reports directly after the third Sabbath in each quarter, even if but one district and one church in that district has reported; and thus render honor to whom honor is due. We feel very grateful to the State secretaries who have taken so much pains to give in full reports, but are sorry to note the absence of reports from other societies.
New England will please excuse us if we notice a few points in the N. E. report to illustrate some of the defects shown by our “T. and M. looking-glasses.” No objection to other societies taking hints. 1. Only about one-half the members have reported (see N. E. table); however, every district is represented by labor in nearly all the different branches, and the number of members and reports returned is given in the report from each district, which is commendable.
2. Only sixteen subscribers have been obtained for the REVIEW, two districts having obtained none. This indicates that our brethren generally, in this Conference, and in these two localities especially, are all subscribers for the REVIEW; or that there has been a failure in looking after this matter. We trust the former is true, but would it not be well to extend the conquest a little farther and obtain subscribers among those who are not Sabbath-keepers?
3. Only two districts, out of eight, report subscribers obtained for the HEALTH REFORMER. Here we can give the society the benefit of no doubt. In every community there are those who will subscribe for this journal when the matter is properly set before them. Neither is there any excuse for this delinquency. It is not possible that all the members could be on the sick list during this time, and lack of time or means would be no hindrance to obtaining at least one or two subscribers. All that would be required is a little effort, which every member of the society could make without personal loss or inconvenience.
The same can be said of the YOUTH’S INSTRUCTOR. Judging from what we know, nearly all the thirty-eight subscribers reported for this paper were obtained by a little boy who is a deaf mute. We can hardly help feeling a little ashamed for the active boys and girls in New England, many of whom are members of the tract society, who have done nothing in this direction, when we think of what has been done by this unfortunate lad.
Instead of less than one hundred subscribers for the REFORMER and thirty-eight for the INSTRUCTOR, several hundred might as well have been obtained for each of these periodicals without loss of time to any one, if every member had made it a point to obtain at least one subscriber for each, during the quarter. However, a good amount of labor has been performed by this society. In district No. 8, every member has reported.
Although the present is an unfavorable time of the year for missionary efforts, there are sure indications that the interest in this branch of the work is increasing in some Conferences; and it is hoped that the likenesses of the various societies presented by the T. and M. looking-glasses at the close of another three months will evince the fact that such has been the case in every Conference.
M. L. HUNTLEY, Sec. Gen. T. & M. Society.

OHIO T. AND M. SOCIETY.

By H. A. St. John; A. A. Hutchins

The Ohio T. and M. Society held its fourth quarterly meeting for the present year at Clyde, July 20, 1878, at 8 P. M. President in the chair. The meeting was opened by singing and prayer.
The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved. The report of the society for the present quarter was also read, showing the following:—
No. of families visited, 224 “ “ letters written, 79 “ “ subscribers for periodicals, 14 “ “ periodicals given away, 618 “ “ Annuals “ “ 31 “ “ pages tracts and pamp’ts dist’d, 53,098
Remarks were made by the president, and others, after which the meeting adjourned sine die.
H. A. St. John, Pres. A. A. Hutchins, Sec.
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