The Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, Vol. 54, No. 24
FOURTH ANNUAL SESSION OF THE GENERAL TRACT AND MISSIONARY SOCIETYPage 1
Earlier text: THE HOLIDAYSTHE RECENT GENERAL CONFERENCE.
By Geo. L. Butler
It was my privilege to attend the later meetings of this Conference after my return from Texas, and to me it was a season of much interest. It was a great pleasure to meet with our leading brethren from different parts of the field, those of them at least who are in this country, and very encouraging to see Bro. and Sr. White so full of courage and able to labor so much in this glorious cause. The weeks spent there were as busy as any in my life. Indeed, it seemed to me I never saw so much business pressing in before. The cause is expanding in all directions over our world. Until the present year I had had little to do with matters at Battle Creek and the General Conference for several years. Perhaps, therefore, I am as well able as any one to compare the present with four or five years ago. Being called again by our people to take a part in these general interests, I can realize a great difference. Then, we were talking about establishing missions; now, we have them in operation, and from these the truth is being circulated, more or less, to the most remote parts of the earth. This cause presents a healthy, progressive growth, not of the hot-house order, but a steady onward progress, successfully meeting and coping with such difficulties as few enterprises in this world have ever had to contend against. Never a backward step, but onward to certain victory. This is a good deal to say in this world of changes. But thirty years of continual progress have verified the assertion. Taking all the surrounding circumstances into consideration, it never could have been truly said if God was not in it. The last few weeks have clearly shown that we have no lack of work on our hands. Never was there more to do. Every true Seventh-day Adventist should gird up his loins for the last great contest with the powers of darkness. I leave our General Conference full of courage and hope. I never before felt such determination to labor in the cause. The special reason of my feeling so is, that I never saw such manifest tokens of God's guiding hand in this work as I have recently seen. I never felt so thankful before that God had placed among us the testimonies of his Holy Spirit, to correct wrongs and point out the dangers which environ us. There can be no cause of discouragement when we see the guiding hand of God in the work. This precious gift, which so many despise, is to me a source of consolation, courage, hope, and rejoicing. How thankful I am that God has a care for us. Let us all hope in God, and go forward. —British India now has 8,215 miles of railroad. —A Negro exodus from North Carolina to Indiana has commenced. —Pennsylvania has 10,882 oil wells, producing 50,000 barrels of oil daily. —The Golos, an influential Russian paper, has been suspended for five months. —During the last fiscal year, 9,333,353 acres of the public lands have been disposed of. —The Spanish government has decided to dispatch several small war vessels to Cuba. —General Butler’s last two gubernatorial canvasses are said to have cost him $275,000. —The pope’s new paper, which is to appear Jan. 1, is to be printed in 7 different languages. —Birmingham, Eng., spends $5,000,000 a year in strong drink, and $250,000 for education. —Statistics show an annual waste in this country of $100,000,000 in property destroyed by fires. —The money expended in railroads since the invention of the locomotive reaches the vast sum of $15,000,000,000. —About 200 submarine cables have been laid in different waters all over the world. Six connect this country with Europe. —The second session of the 46th Congress was formally opened Dec. 1, and listened to the reading of the President’s message. —The Mennonites are about to establish a mission among the Indians in the Island of Kodjah, 600 miles west of Sitka, Alaska. —In Central Turkey the Protestant Community has made a gain of twelve per cent, and of 1,000 registered members within the year. —A party of 12 Carmelite nuns, who had been driven from Guatemala, have established themselves in Riversdale, Yonkers Co., N. Y. —The Mexican Congress has approved a plan for laying a telegraph cable across the Gulf of Mexico, to connect with the United States. —The drought has been so severe in the West, that water has been carried by rail a distance of 75 miles east and west of the Mississippi River. —Baker Pasha, who is practically the appointee of the Beaconsfield government, has gone to Asia Minor, to superintend the promised reforms there. —In Foggia, a beautiful city of Southern Italy, 20 persons were recently killed by the falling of the two upper floors of a factory in course of construction. —England will soon be brought in direct connection with its South African colonies, as the submarine cable has been laid between Zanzibar and Natal. —A cable dispatch announces that the ex-Ameer of Afghanistan has been removed from Cabul under military guard. This is the beginning, probably, of a journey toward the scaffold. —Hartford Hebrews have been notified that they must close their stores either Saturday or Sunday, as so many regard neither their own nor the Christian Sabbath.—Advance. —Indignation and consternation prevail in the New York butter market, at the discovery and publication of the fact that over 2,000 packages of oleomargarine are sold daily as dairy butter. —The official reports show that over 28,000 immigrants from Germany have landed at New York since the first day of January, being 7,000 more than during the corresponding period last year. —The indebtedness of Archbishop Purcell, whose failure caused so much excitement some months ago, is $4,000,000. At the latest reports, $75,000 of this sum had been raised by the Catholics of this country. —A huge marble statue 15 feet high, and weighing 1,200 pounds, has been unearthed at Gaza. It is supposed to be the god of the Philistines, or an Assyrian monument commemorative of their invasion of Palestine. —The contest in Boston between the priests and the liberal Catholics, over the question of patronizing the parochial or public schools, is demonstrating that there are in that church two parties on the school question. —The civil authorities of Sweden are again becoming intolerant even to persecution toward Baptists and others who maintain, however conscientiously, views not in accord with the rulings of the national church. —Careful inquiry shows that in the late war between Russia and Turkey, 292 churches, 10 monasteries, and 20 schools were destroyed on the south side of the Balkans. The destruction in other sections was even greater. —On the 6th of January, the Atlantic and Great Western Railway is to be sold in Akron, Ohio, under foreclosure proceedings. The liabilities are about $70,000,000, and it is expected that the road will sell for about $10,000,000. —One of the first matters that came before Congress at its present session was the Isthmus-canal project. Senator Burnside has called up the resolution declaring against the occupation of the Isthmus by any foreign company. —The spirit of intolerance is not dead yet. We learn that the missionaries of the American Board have been obliged to withdraw from Austria. Individuals have been fined for reading the word of God to their neighbors present at family prayer. —A will written entirely in Chinese characters has been offered for probate in the New York Surrogate’s office. There are wills on record in Hebrew, Arabic, Russian, German, and many other languages; but this is the first Chinese will filed there. —On the 2d of December an attempt was made to assassinate the Czar by blowing up the train on which he was traveling to Moscow. By mistake, his baggage train was blown up instead, and the Czar was unharmed. The affair produced intense excitement in the various European capitals. —In Nordenskjoeld’s Arctic voyage of 1879, it is said that beans of a West Indian leguminous tree (Entada Gigalobium) were found at the entrance of Hinlopen Strait, that had been brought there by the sea, thus proving, if further proof were wanting, that there is a current extending from the Tropics to the Arctic Circle. —Another massacre of Protestant missionaries is reported to have taken place in Mexico. It occurred at Toluca, about 50 miles from the City of Mexico, in the Presbyterian Mission. How many were killed is not stated; but one man, after being badly cut, was dragged through the streets and then hung up to a tree, where his body remained all night. —The annual report of the Children’s Aid Society of New York shows that 3,700 persons, in the past year, were sent to homes in the West. During the past 26 years, 50,000 persons have been provided with homes. In that period 200,000 boys and girls have been sheltered and instructed at the lodging houses of the society. The expenses of the past year were $204,000, and receipts $205,000. —A sale by William H. Vanderbilt to the Wabash Syndicate of 250,000 shares of New York Central stock was consummated on the 26th of November. Of this amount 150,000 shares are sold outright, and an option is given for the remainder. At the price agreed upon, the sale amounts to $30,000,000. A large part of the stock will probably be placed in London and other foreign markets. —Dime novels bear their proper fruit even in so cold a climate as Canada. Recently at London, Ont., ten young boys were discovered in a plot to buy a schooner and turn pirates on the lakes. They had purchased revolvers and were collecting weapons of warfare. The money for this outfit, $180, one of the boys stole from a relative. The oldest boy was 12 years of age. All engaged declared they got their idea of the plot from reading “Jack Harkaway,” and other kindred stories. THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES IN ENGLAND.
From a letter received from Eld. Loughborough, in answer to some inquiries concerning the missionary work in England, we present the following extract, respecting the distribution of the Signs in that country:— Several have already embraced the truth as the result of reading the Signs. A brother and sister whose names are attached to the covenant here, received it through this agency. The same may be said of a sister who is keeping the Sabbath in Portsmouth; and through the efforts of a sister living near us, three others have also commenced to keep the Sabbath. At several points in Great Britain we hear of whole neighborhoods that are stirred up to investigate these truths, as the result of reading a few numbers of the paper. In several instances, parties, after reading awhile, have become paying subscribers for it, and are now greatly interested. We have heard of a company in Dorsetshire, that, through this means, are keeping the Sabbath, though we have not as yet been able to communicate with them. In Lincolnshire there are parties who have in theory embraced our views, and many are interested in reading, for whom we hope. In Liverpool, some have moved out to obey; we also hear the same of one or two families in Sheffield. We know that the Signs is doing a great work here, in convincing people of the truth. Since I commenced this letter, a gentleman living a few miles from here, who has been reading the Signs, has called, and requested its continuance. He is convinced of his duty to obey the truth. May the Lord move on him and scores of others in the same condition to carry out their convictions of duty. To this report was appended a piece of poetry entitled, “Sowing Time,” given to express their views of the situation. This was published at the head of the Progress Department in last week’s REVIEW. TO THE BRETHREN IN MISSOURI.
By D. C. Hunter
We have but one month more in this year, and at the close of this month come our quarterly reports, in all the different branches of our work,—the "church, S. B., T. and M., Sabbath-school, and temperance. All of these branches should engage our special attention, and the officers in each department should be up and doing. They should see that everything is moving, and that all our people are coming up to the work in all its departments. They should see every member, and make a personal effort. Each church should look well to its members, that they are all in the work, and make a full quarterly report. Each librarian should see the members personally about their reports of labor; also about their subscriptions now due, with the pledges, and see that they are all paid up, if possible. Look to the donations. The Lord has been good to us in Missouri this year, and given us an abundant harvest and a good market, and we should remember him with our free-will and thank-offerings. Our S. B. treasurers should see that the money is properly paid in, and sent to our State treasurer, that our ministers may be out in the field at work. No minister should be compelled to stay at home and labor with his hands for want of his support. Talk this up with each member as a matter of business. Let all come up to the help of the Lord. Our Sabbath-schools need attention every Sabbath. They are in want of that energy and zeal that should actuate every lover of the third angel's message. Rouse up, and let us push our schools forward. The health and temperance cause must go forward in our Conference. Every Adventist in Missouri ought to be a teetotaler and a worker in this branch of the cause. Cannot we make a forward move, and double our last report? Let every member try to get at least one name to the pledge before the year is out. If any officer has not blanks for reports, etc., write to me at once, and I will forward them. Let us all be up and at work; for the time is short. Idleness is a sin. D. C. HUNTER. NEW YORK SABBATH-SCHOOLS, ATTENTION!!
By M. H. Brown
We shall labor hard to make the Sabbath-school department of our Tract Institute a success. We shall have individuals prepare to present thoughts on such subjects as General Exercises and Reviews, “How to conduct recitations,” “Blackboard and object teaching,” “How to keep up an interest,” “The importance and object of the Sabbath-school work,” and such other points as may be profitable. Instruction will also be given in regard to the duties of teachers and officers. Let us awake to the importance of the work committed to our hands, and save our children from being drawn into the world, by obtaining that information concerning the best methods of imparting instruction, which will enable us to make the Bible interesting and attractive to them, and thus save them to the cause. Please remember the following points:— - Every school should be represented in the annual meeting of the S. S. Association by the number of delegates to which it is entitled.
- Be sure to send, from each school, one or more that will remain during the entire Institute. This is important.
- Send all your Records, both Secretary’s and Class Records, for examination. Please do not neglect this.
- Please send by your delegate or by mail all questions which relate to the S. S. work, and they will receive due attention.
M. H. BROWN, Pres. N. Y. S. S. A. “Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord, from henceforth” Rev. 14:13. Wheeler.—Died at West Monroe, Oswego Co., N. Y., Nov. 14, 1879, after a very distressing illness of three days, Willie H., only son of George G. and Sarah E. Wheeler, aged 14 years, 3 months, and 11 days. F. Wheeler. Troy.—Died of fever, at Coopersburg, Rice Co., Kan., Nov. 8, 1879, Lily E. Troy, daughter of Bro. J. H. and Sr. Asenath Troy, aged 2 years, 1 month, and 15 days. Funeral sermon by the writer, from Jer. 31:15–17. R. F. Barton. Brown.—Died in Centerville, Kan., Nov. 12, 1879, Susan Brown, aged 53 years, 7 months, and 5 days. Sister Brown had been an invalid for some years, and for the last few months a great sufferer. She leaves a husband and two children to mourn their loss. The funeral services were attended by a large number of sympathizing friends and neighbors. Discourse from Acts 17:18. Joseph Lamont. Thompson.—Died of consumption, at Douglas, Mich., Sept. 24, 1879, Sister Louisa Thompson, aged 43 years. Through a long illness she was called to think of the future and prepare for death. She said she could see the wisdom of God in her affliction, for had she been suddenly called to leave this world, she might have been unprepared. But through much pain and suffering were born to her a hope and power that this life never could bring. M. E. Burnett. Dryden.—Fell asleep in Jesus, near Aledo, Ill., Oct. 26, 1879, Eva, youngest daughter of Bro. C. and Sr. C. W. Dryden, aged 9 years and 11 months. She died of putrid sore throat. Little Eva was an interesting child and is greatly missed in the family circle as well as in the Sabbath-school, in which she manifested a deep interest. Her parents have the blessed hope to sustain them in their affliction. Appropriate remarks were made at the funeral by Bro. J. R. Whitham. Mary Miller. Wardell.—Died of consumption, in Perryville, Cecil Co., Md., Oct. 24, 1879, Bro. Wm. T. Wardell, of Camden, N. J., in the fortieth year of his age. He made no profession of religion until he embraced the third angel’s message ten months before his death. He was baptized, and united with the church at Vineland, N. J., at our quarterly meeting held July 5, 1879. He rests in hope, leaving a bright evidence that his work was well done. He left a companion, who is striving to do the will of the Lord, that she may, with him, have right to the tree of life. N. Orcutt. Langdon.—Died of heart disease, near Estella, Gratiot Co., Mich., Nov. 1, 1879, Sister Mary Ann, wife of Bro. John Langdon, in the sixty-ninth year of her age. Sister Langdon was for many years a devoted follower of her Lord. Four years ago she, with others, embraced the third angel’s message, and she has given evidence of the genuineness of her faith by a life of prayer and devotion. May her many prayers for her unconverted children be held in remembrance before God. A large circle of friends are left to mourn, yet not without hope. Of her we can say that she is “asleep in Jesus.” Discourse by the writer, from Rev. 21:4, to a large and sympathizing audience. L. A. Kellogg. Randall.—Died of tumor, at the residence of her brother-in-law, Job Francis, in Oakland Co., Mich., Nov. 20, 1879, Sister Mary L. Randall, aged 62 years. She was born in Winfield, Herkimer Co., N. Y., and removed to this State in 1834. She made a profession of religion when she was fifteen years old, and her subsequent life was that of a devoted Christian. Eighteen years ago she embraced the Advent doctrine, and she afterward spent most of her time in trying to bring others to the truth in which she rejoiced. She was a great sufferer, but not a murmur escaped her lips, though she often praised the Lord for the light he had given her while passing through the dark valley. Funeral discourse by Eld. Deland (Baptist), from Mark 10:28–31, a text which she had chosen. E. F. Simmons. Appointments for Maine and Michigan Church Meetings
“And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” Matt. 10:7. No providence preventing, I will meet with the churches in Maine as follows:—
Allens Corner, Sabbath, Dec. 13,
Brunswick, Monday, “ 15, 6½ P. M.
Richmond, Tuesday, “ 16, 6½ P. M.
Somerset Mills, Wednesday, “ 17, 6½ P. M.
So. Norridgewock, Friday, “ 19, 6½ P. M.,
and over the Sabbath.
Cornville, Sunday, “ 21. 10½ A. M.
West Athens, Tuesday, “ 23. 6½ P. M.
Canaan, Thursday, “ 25, 6½ P. M.
Burnham, “ 27, 28.
Hartland, Jan. 3, 4.
We hope to see all our brethren and sisters in the vicinity of each one of the above appointments at the meeting. No postponement on account of storms. Come one; come all.
J. B. Goodrich. Providence permitting, I will meet with the churches as follows:—
Convis, Mich., Dec. 13, 14, meetings will commence Friday evening at 7 o’clock.
Marshall, Dec. 15, 10:30 A. M.
Quincy, “ 16, 7 P. M.
Bronson, “ 18, 10:30 A. M. 7 P. M.
Burlington, “ 20, 21, 10:30 A. M.
Newton, “ 21, 7 P. M.
We appoint the above meetings as director of T. and M. district No. 3, and earnestly solicit a full attendance at each meeting.
M. B. Miller. The Lord willing, I will meet with the church at Fairgrove, Mich., Dec. 12–19; Watrousville, Dec., 19–23; Vassar, Dec. 25–29.
Will Eld. E. R. Jones meet with us at Vassar on Sabbath and first-day?
Hope the brethren and sisters will attend these meetings, as matters of importance in connection with the T. and M. work will be considered.
Wm. Ostrander. Nothing preventing, I will attend the monthly meeting at Hebron, Wis., Dec. 13 and 14; quarterly meeting at Monroe, Jan. 3 and 4; and quarterly meeting for Dist. No. 1 at Oakland, Jan. 10 and 11.
We hope to have a full attendance at these meetings. The H. and T. work will receive good attention, and at Oakland we wish to hold a Sabbath-school Convention. We expect Bro. Decker will be present at this meeting.
G. C. Tenney. A general meeting of the churches of Clyde, Norwalk, and New Haven, will be held at Clyde, Ohio, Dec. 19–22. Eld. D. M. Canright will be present. Let there be a general attendance of these three churches. There will be a Sabbath-school Convention, temperance meeting, and T. and M. meeting. Let the scattered ones come. Officers of every kind, should be present, for business and instruction.
A general meeting, of like nature, will be held with the Camden, Wakeman, and Troy churches, Dec. 25–29, at the brick school-house in Camden, one mile east of Bro. H. P. Draper’s. Let there be a general turnout at this meeting also. Bro. Canright will be present.
H. A. St. John. I purpose, the Lord willing, to meet with our French and American brethren as follows:—
Clifton and L’Erable, Ill., Dec. 13, 14.
Pittwood, “ 20, 21.
Beaverville, “ 23.
St. Anne, “ 25.
Near Kankakee, for the French, “ 27, 28.
Kankakee, for Americans, Jan. 3, 4.
These will be important meetings. I hold them with reference to leaving for new fields, and wish to see all the brethren and sisters, to unite with them in seeking the Lord, and to consider important interests in connection with the cause.
D. T. Bourdeau. We will hold quarterly meetings with the churches in our district as follows: Round Prairie, Minn., Dec. 20, 21; West Union, Dec. 27, 28; Lake Ellen, Jan. 3, 4, 1880; Grove Lake, Jan. 10, 11.
Geo. M. Dimmick.
M. A. Dimmick. NEW YORK TRACT SOCIETY INSTITUTE.
By B. L. Whitney
We wish to call the especial attention of the New York tract workers to the appointment for this meeting, commencing Dec. 20, which we anticipate will be the most important of any ever held in the interests of the tract work in our State. The postponement of the meeting on account of the General Conference has brought us to a more favorable season in the year for holding such a meeting than the date first named, and as many have expressed a desire to attend, we shall look for a general turnout. This we certainly should have, as all the circumstances are favorable and the importance of the work demands it. The work of the tract society is increasing in importance each year, and this requires of us increased efforts that we may be prepared to meet the demands of the cause. The present season will be one of marked advancement in this department of the work, and many plans of great importance will be put in operation, and we should be in readiness to do our part and to do it well. We hope to see every church included in the New York Tract Society represented at this meeting, and during the two weeks' drill in the proper methods of doing business, which are to follow. Every church should see that the librarian, at least, attends for the entire time. In fact, every tract officer, from the highest to the lowest, should be there; and we wish to see as many others as can attend. A thorough course of instruction will be given, not only in keeping the accounts and records of the tract society, but also concerning the duties of church clerks, S. B. treasurers, and S. S. officers. The health and temperance work will also have its due share of attention, and we trust that this effort will result in greatly increasing the interest in all these branches of the work. A class in vocal music will also be formed in connection with the Institute. The brethren at Adams Center have been very liberal in their offer of entertainment to those who shall attend, and yet we trust that all who can do so will come prepared to take care of themselves. Bring plenty of bedding, bed-ticks, etc., and provisions as far as convenient. The Rome, Watertown and Ogdensburg R. R. grant reduction on return fare to all who attend. We are very glad that we can state that Eld. S. N. Haskell will attend this meeting, and his presence will be the more appreciated by our brethren as it has been some time since he has labored in our State. Altogether, there is every reason why a special effort should be made to secure a full attendance, and why we should do all in our power to make the meeting a success. We hope, as far as possible, to have every conference, tract society, Sabbath-school, and health and temperance officer present, and many other of our brethren who are interested in all these departments of the work. If there are those who wish to become canvassers, let them also be present, as attention will be given to this part of the work. We urge all to come to remain for the two weeks during which the meetings will continue. And above all, let us seek for the blessing of God to be with us in this work, that our meeting may indeed be in the highest sense successful. MEETINGS IN ALL OUR CHURCHES, SUNDAY, DEC. 21, 1879.
The General Conference at its last session, and also the meeting of the General Tract and Missionary Society, laid important plans for future labor. Both these organizations passed resolutions relative to the circulation, and a more general and careful reading, of the writings of Mrs. E. G. White. The dangers of our people, and also their duties, were presented before her in her late wonderful vision, especially the duty of giving our reading matter a more extensive circulation. Testimony for the Church No. 29 will be hurried through the press as quickly as possible. An address, embodying the most important light upon present duty, will be immediately prepared, and sent out to church elders and librarians to be read before our people at the special meeting on the 21st. At this meeting all our people should make arrangements for family reading, and for more active operations in the missionary work during the winter. More definite suggestions will be given in connection with the address as to the many important matters to be considered at this meeting. More particulars next week. HEALTH AND TEMPERANCE ANNUAL.
By James White
Three hundred thousand copies of this household work, containing valuable reading upon the subject of temperance and health, with the calendar for 1880, should be circulated during the next twenty days. And why? 1. Because the people should receive our Annual ahead of the comic and drug almanacs which abound. 2. Because the Annual, to remain by 300,000 firesides, will be the best mode of advertising our College, publications, and the Sanitarium. These belong to our people, and all should feel an interest in them. These institutions are embarrassed, and the best lever to lift them up above want is advertising. We advertise the Annual to be sent out by mail. 3. Because the Office is not able to circulate it through the T. and M. societies at a loss of five dollars on every thousand copies or a loss of fifteen hundred dollars on the 300,000. We urge that the Annual be ordered at once, by mail, that it may be circulated everywhere before New Year's. The Annual is offered by mail,— 100 copies to one address, $2.15
50 " " " 1.10
25 " " " .60
10 " " " .25
5 " " " .15
3 " " " .10
single copy " " .05 Life Sketches of Elder and Mrs. White Forthcoming
By James White
Life Sketches of Elder and Mrs. White will probably be through the press as early as the first of April. We would say to those who ask the engravings of the subjects of the work in advance that they will be sent to them, postage paid, on receipt of six dollars for four copies of the book. A little canvassing will secure the portraits. J. W. Elder Corliss Settled in Battle Creek; Needs Support
By James White
Elder Corliss and family are now settled in this city. Bro. C. takes treatment at the Sanitarium. He will not be able to labor till the milder weather of early spring. His friends in Michigan and elsewhere should know that he has no means with which to pay bills at the Sanitarium and to support his family. A fruit-offering, canned, dried, or green, or anything else, such as provisions, clothing, and even cash, would be very acceptable. His address is Eld. J. O. Corliss, Battle Creek, Mich. J. W. Bro. Butler on the Late General Conference
Read what Bro. Butler says of our late General Conference, on the seventh page of this paper. Concluding Proceedings of the General Conference
By Editor
A press of matter in other departments of the paper obliges us to put the concluding portion of the proceedings of the General Conference under the Progress Department, where the reader will find it this week. Review Volume Completion and Winter Publication Break
By Editor
The next number of the REVIEW completes the present volume. Then, according to our usual custom, the paper will be omitted one week, to commence the new volume with January 1. Let appointments, as far as possible, be arranged accordingly. A Dog's Conscience as Argument Against Immortal Soul
For the use of our preachers we give the little item on the second page about a dog's conscience. They may hand it out as a nut to be cracked by those who argue that because man has a mind and conscience, he therefore has an immaterial, immortal soul. Have dogs also that sort of a thing? Supplement Issue and Tract Society Progress
By Editor
With the Supplement, this week, we give the reader twelve pages of most interesting matter. The tract societies make a more encouraging report than in any previous year. This is cheering. Hope for the future was never brighter. But with this addition of space we are not able to give all the good things we have on hand, and therefore another Supplement will be issued next week. English Mission Membership Growth Reported
When the General Conference Summary, as given last week, was compiled, we had received no report from the English Mission. Fifty Sabbath-keepers are now reported from that field, which brings our increase of membership the past year to eleven hundred and fourteen. This does not include the unorganized companies raised up during the same time, of which there are more or less in every Conference. Bro. Loughborough writes that every week there are many interesting items in his missionary work in England. Annual and Quarterly Reports in the Supplement
Of the tabular reports in the Supplement this week, only those of Michigan, Vermont and Wisconsin are annual; the remainder are quarterly reports. When the REVIEW Office was first established in Battle Creek, there were no tract societies, and its only agents were the few ministers then laboring in our cause. Our people were then few, and the yearly demand for books for the first ten years reaching to 1871, amounted to less than five thousand dollars' worth per year. During the last seven years, tract societies have been organized in all our Conferences, and our increasing numbers, thus organized and making a united effort to circulate reading matter, have swelled the demand for books, so that after establishing an office in Oakland to supply the Pacific coast, the REVIEW office is still called upon annually to furnish thirty thousand dollars' worth of books, and fifteen thousand dollars' worth of periodicals. As many of these publications are given away, the Association has been urged to sell books cheap, and to make large discounts. These requests have been granted until, in some cases, books are sold for less than what they cost the Association. This ought not to continue. Years ago, before our tract societies established depositories in almost every Northern State, brethren ordering books from a distance were obliged to pay large freight and express bills, and therefore the Association made large discounts on even small orders of books, so that the discount might cover the expense of transportation. For several reasons this is no longer necessary. First, the Association will mail, post-paid, to any place in the United States and Canadas, any of its publications, on receipt of the retail price. Secondly, complete depositories of our works have been established in Massachusetts, New York, Ohio, Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Nebraska, Kansas, and several other States; from either of which books can be bought hereafter at the same rates as from the office. This will greatly lessen the cost of shipping to those living at a distance from the office. Therefore in the future we shall give the following Rates of Discount:— On cash orders amounting to $10 or more, shipped by freight or express:— Denominational bound books and pamphlets, 20 per cent.
Denominational and health tracts, 40 " "
Blank books, Bibles, and other pub's books, 15 " " To ministers and regular agents the above discounts will be increased to 25, 50, and 20 per cent, respectively. Tract societies and general agents will be given sufficient additional discounts to cover the cost of transporting books from the office to the depositories. TRUSTEES S. D. A. PUBLISHING ASSOCIATION. TRACT INSTITUTE.
By M. H. Brown
Those designing to attend the New York Tract Institute will confer a favor upon the Committee of Arrangements if they will send their names and P. O. address to M. H. Brown, Adams Center, N. Y. M. H. BROWN.