The mission of the Sabbath-school is an extended one. If conducted in a proper manner and in a right spirit, it will not only tend to promote the scholar’s spiritual interest, but may be an important auxiliary in developing his intellectual powers, in creating or increasing a relish for the best associations, and in refining and elevating his whole nature.
But of all these considerations, it seems to me that the first mentioned is of paramount importance. The Sabbath-school should be a school of the heart, where the mind of each pupil will be led out in reverence and devotion to God.
The question with each teacher should be, “How can this most successfully be accomplished?” In the first place he must be in earnest, and feel a devotion to the interests of those intrusted to his care. He should try to realize that he is engaged in a mission the importance of which cannot be overestimated; for what can be a graver responsibility than that of having the religious training of a human mind during the most susceptible period of its existence? Let the teacher endeavor to feel that the spiritual condition of each scholar is what he should most zealously labor to improve. Since this cannot receive sufficient attention during the usual recitation hour, opportunity should be sought outside the school, where the teacher may become familiar with the members of his class, and learn definitely of their spiritual welfare.
Having been for a long time a member of a class that met regularly once each week for the purpose of considering the lesson and engaging in prayer, I think I can state something of the benefits to be derived from these class meetings. And probably there is not one member of that class who would not unite in testifying to the benefits and blessings afforded by these occasions. Some will object to this plan on the ground of its impracticability; for it often happens that members of a class are separated far from one another during the week, and can only meet upon the Sabbath. But if you, as a teacher, feel the burden for your scholars which every teacher should feel, and appreciate the advantage of forming an intimate acquaintance with each member of your class, you will seek opportunity for meeting them upon the Sabbath as often, at least, as once each month.
If, without this aid, one could be a successful teacher, I believe he would greatly limit the degree of his success by omitting this most effectual means of reaching the hearts of his pupils. The scholar can hardly fail to be affected by seeing that his teacher has an interest in him, and what could tend more to assure him of that interest than to hear his teacher’s voice raised in prayer for him and his companions?
Let the teacher tell his class of his interest in them, and of his anxiety that all may be permanently benefited by their association together; let all speak familiarly of their experiences, and there cannot fail to be a warmer feeling between members of the class. And as all bow in prayer, and lift their voices in supplication for themselves and one another, a bond of union and friendship, till then unfelt, will spring into life; and a Christian chord will be touched which, without these seasons, would have failed to vibrate. Let the teacher become acquainted with his class, and the class with each other, and there will be a spirit of harmony, and acquiescence with the wishes and plans of the teacher which could not otherwise be secured.
Battle Creek, Mich.
OUR PRESENT WORK.
By W. C. White
BY W. C. WHITE.
As WE near the commencement of another quarter, it may be profitable for us to review the successes or failures of the one which is now drawing to a close. It will pay each teacher and officer to examine his work, and notice carefully what progress has been made during the last three months by himself, by his class, and by the whole school. If there has been a marked improvement in studying the lesson, or in the regularity of attendance, and an increase of interest in the school and the services of the Lord’s house, we should study carefully the means employed and the influences used to accomplish these results, that by more earnest efforts and improved methods, still more may be gained the coming quarter. Nothing short of constant, steady, and permanent progress should satisfy the ambition.
Besides a steady improvement in the methods of the school, we should aim at a large increase of membership, and the establishment of many new schools during the spring quarter. Now that the winter is past, all of the old members who have been kept away by bad roads and their distance from the school should join the school for summer work. A committee may be appointed by each school to look up all the Sabbath-keepers in reach of the school, and encourage them to attend. The whole school should be active and earnest in the work of bringing in new scholars. Visit your neighbors, tell them about your school, give the Instructor to their children, and invite them to visit your school. Whenever visitors come, make them at home, meet them cordially, give them a place in your best class, and then furnish them with the lesson for the next Sabbath, and urge them to come again.
Gather in the little children; many who were too young to attend last year may be brought in and formed into infant classes.—Signs of the Times.
IS IT PAGAN?
A CORRESPONDENT of the Christian Union, Rev. Charles Wood, writing from Rome under date of Feb. 11, gives a spirited description of the Carnival as it had just been celebrated in that city during the nine preceding days. In the letter some statements are made relative to the origin and character of this festival which can hardly fail to interest those who are studying the Lessons on Prophecy, now appearing in the Instructor Supplement. One of the points made in these lessons a few weeks ago was that the Romish church borrowed many of her rites and customs from paganism. On this point Mr. Wood gives the following corroborative evidence:—
They [those celebrating the Carnival] have made the venerable old city look as if some more barbarous horde than Goth or Vandal had suddenly swept through her gates, and were dancing in triumph on her prostrate form. But the “mistress of the world” has not seemed greatly disconcerted by this invasion. She has grown used to it. Every year, for centuries, about the first of February she has been forced to submit to any liberties which this dancing, singing, shouting crowd might see fit to take. It is difficult to look back far enough to get beyond the time when those annual irruptions of organized insanity were recognized by the authorities, and christened with the mysterious appellation of “The Carnival.” It was perhaps, one of the many festivals which the pagans were unwilling to part with, and which the church baptized in order that it might properly be permitted to enter within her sacred walls. Whatever effect such a sprinkling with holy water may have had, it changed but little the heathen aspect of the old-time feast. Her ancient lovers would have no difficulty in recognizing her now. She remains, in form and manner, very much what she always was.
After giving a somewhat detailed description of the various processions and pageants with which Rome had just been entertained, Mr. W. says:—
But, after all, what are Carnivals and Lents but different forms by which the desire of escaping from one's self seeks expression? Men have always felt that they were happiest when they were able to forget for the moment the perplexities and worriments of life; to forget for the moment themselves. The pagan knew but one way—that of merriment, gaiety, pleasure; and alas! this in the end he found was but a delusion. The Christian, too, knows of but one way,—the way that leads by the cross, the way of duty, the way of love to God and man. Rome, still half pagan, has tried for ages to unite these two incompatible methods, and for centuries to come, it may be, she will continue to precede her Christian fast by her heathen feast.
BEASTS, HEADS, AND HORNS.
By James White
A Methodist presiding elder, passing through Battle Creek seven years ago, had a few leisure hours on the Lord’s Sabbath, and decided to spend them at the S. D. Adventist Sabbath-school, at their house of worship. The lessons for that day were on the prophecies of Daniel and John, relative to the beasts and their heads and horns. The same gentleman visited our large Sabbath-school in the Tabernacle a few weeks since, and the lessons were on the prophecies, as he stated it, “just where they were seven years since.”
We need not say that the impression upon the mind of this man of ability and influence, was prejudicial.
The reader should not infer from the foregoing, that the lessons used at the Battle Creek Sabbath-school are all upon the prophecies of Daniel and John, for this is not the case; but it is very possible that the prophecies, the sanctuary, and the messages have occupied time in our Sabbath-schools, a portion of which could have been improved to better advantage in teaching the practical lessons given by Jesus Christ and his holy apostles.
And are not many of our ministers committing a similar error in traveling the same doctrinal ground over and over before the people, until they lose the power of these subjects out of their own minds, and are consequently destitute of power to move the people? There are subjects opening before us on the great scheme of human redemption, with which are connected practical subjects of the most thrilling interest, and of the greatest importance to our people at this time. And it does appear to us that a proportionate amount of time occupied with these subjects would give new life to both speakers and hearers. We want men of power to preach the gospel of the kingdom, who will receive their light and life from the great Source of light and strength.
J. W.
TRACT AND MISSIONARY INSTITUTES.
By James White
The Tract and Missionary Institutes, conducted by Eld. B. L. Whitney, of Rome, N. Y., in Wisconsin and Minnesota, have been very successful, as has been the case with those held in Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio, and Michigan. Bro. Whitney closes his work in this department for the spring with a class in Iowa and one in Ohio.
We regret the disappointment our people of the Kansas Conference feel in not enjoying the labors of Eld. Whitney at the time of the first appointment. Changes in appointments should always be avoided if possible. Bro. Whitney was here, and telegraphed and wrote letters inquiring if the change could be made. And having letters in his possession at the time from the president of the Kansas Conference, stating that the time appointed was unfavorable, he agreed with us that the time of the Kansas Institute should be postponed. And let it be understood that the Institute would have been held at the time of the second appointment, had not the president of the Kansas Conference decided by letter to this Office, that none would be held in that State this spring.
Laborers are few. The field is extensive, and the harvest is abundant. Those who take the general oversight of the work are extremely anxious to serve all and to please all, in laying plans for the general good of the whole. They are sometimes placed in trying positions, and are liable to make mistakes. Those they serve, who find difficulties sometimes in their local work, should not be too exacting and complaining of those who may err in the general management.
Kansas had too many camp-meetings last year; and when, in consequence of the sickness of several Kansas preachers, and other camp-meetings being held at the same time, and the General Conference Committee being all engaged, we spared neither time nor expense in telegraphing to Illinois and Iowa for help for Kansas; and while Kansas charges considerable to our account for making two or three unfortunate changes, we would suggest that it would be well for her to put a little to our credit for extra exertion in her behalf in time of need. Let brotherly love continue. We have received a most cheering letter from Eld. Whitney, dated Medford, Minn., March 26. He says:—
“We had an excellent meeting in Wisconsin, and were able to accomplish more than I anticipated in the week's time. I think this meeting will have a good influence on the work there. The Wisconsin ministers took hold in earnest to sell books, according to the recommendation of the General Conference, taking nearly $500 worth with them from that meeting. All the ministers of the Conference but one were present, and all go out to work in behalf of the society in connection with their labor among the churches till tent season. We had an excellent Sabbath meeting, and a good spirit was manifested in the meetings during the entire session.
“I am surprised at the attendance and interest here in Minnesota. Although the roads are extremely bad, our class numbers seventy, including all the ministers in the State but one. Bro. Grant said that we should not have more than twenty at most, and yet we have more than three times that number. There is an earnest interest in the class, the best, I think, I have seen in any Institute thus far. I am glad to report that I come to each Institute with new zeal and enthusiasm, which seems to increase constantly.
“I regret the disappointment and unpleasant feelings of the Kansas brethren; but I am satisfied that much more will be accomplished for the advancement of the work by the meetings in these two States than would have been by one meeting in Kansas.
“And now a word or two by way of suggestion relative to our tract work. It is a decided conviction with me that we are in need of two or three tracts of the nature of ‘Sufferings of Christ’—tracts that are not doctrinal or controversial, but that contain pure and undefiled religion of a practical nature. I believe these to be as much needed as anything for our tract workers; for as we need more practical preaching, so we also need more practical reading. I hope that as you apply yourself to the important task you have laid out for your summer's work, as indicated in your article in the REVIEW of this week, entitled, ‘Our Publications,’ you will consider this, and, if consistent, give us something of this kind.
“It is with regret that I read of the probability of our brethren being deprived of your labors and counsel at our camp-meetings this season; but I certainly shall pray that you may have the special blessing of God in the important work you propose to do.”
Eld. Whitney's labor as teacher of the true system of tract and missionary work, and conductor of institutes, has but just begun. He is an educator, apt to teach, and every way fitted to his work. As he may pass from Conference to Conference, Kansas will stand as good a chance as other States.
The benefit of these Tract and Missionary Institutes will be seen not only in the instructions given in this branch of the work, but the thorough discipline given will greatly benefit those who receive it, in other departments of their work.
J. W.
THE AGE TO COME.
QUESTIONS ANSWERED.
1. It is asked how the Father subdues the enemies of Christ unto him before his coming, when it is not until the end of the thousand years, that is, after the second resurrection, that Satan and his followers are destroyed. We answer that the great decision is made in this conflict between the forces of darkness and light, between truth and error, at the time when probation ends. Then God gives all power and all judgment into the hands of his Son. From that time the powers of darkness have no influence over God’s people, no opportunity to hinder or mar his work. At present they are in a measure free. They are working against Christ; they are warring against his cause. It is undecided who will be saved. All this is changed when probation ends; the people of Christ are then forever delivered from Satan’s opposing influence. “The last enemy” of Christ and his people “that shall be destroyed is death;” and that, so far as it relates to the people of the Lord, is destroyed when they are made immortal. Then Satan is cast into the bottomless pit; the wicked are in their graves; the work of subjugation is completed. They now only wait their execution. They are like the culprit who is shut up in prison, his career of crime and transgression of law restrained, and he only waiting his execution. So with the devil and his followers after Christ comes. The scene at the end of the thousand years is not the arrest of the criminal, or the subjugation of an opposing power, but simply the execution of the sentence.
2. We are asked, also, to explain Acts 15 : 14–17: “Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written, After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up: that the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things.”
Beyond controversy, this scripture refers to the work of the gospel among the Gentiles. Verses 15 and 16 are thrown in parenthetically to show the prophecy by which this work is pointed out. If we217read verses 14 and 17 in connection, we have this declaration: “Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name; that the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all those things.” The language plainly implies that no further work is to be done after this work among the Gentiles, introduced at the beginning of this dispensation; for the object of this is to gather out the residue of men, or the last that will be saved of the human family. The only difficulty is, to determine in what respect this is building again the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down as described in the 16th verse. That it does not refer to any future literal restoration of the throne of David in Jerusalem, is evident from the prophecy; for Peter applies it to the work of the gospel at the present time. And it is the building of the tabernacle of David in this respect: it is the filling up of the tribes of Israel which are to be saved, and constitute the redeemed in the future eternal kingdom of glory. The literal seed fell through unbelief and disobedience. The requisite number could not be found from them to make up the nations of the saved. Hence, if the work had not been extended to the Gentiles, there must have been a failure in these prophecies which speak of the kingdom of David, using that as a representation of the future kingdom of Christ. Hence this work which is to make the fulfilment of these prophecies possible may justly be called the building of the tabernacle of David, and setting up the ruins thereof.
3. It is also requested that the 38th and 39th of Ezekiel be explained, especially those passages which speak of the destruction of Gog and Magog, in the land of Israel, of their burial, of the burning of their weapons of war for seven years, and the cleansing of the land in this manner from all those enemies of God’s people.
In the 40th chapter of Ezekiel and onward to the end of that book, we have a description of a remarkable sanctuary which God offered to the people on certain conditions. The conditions were that the people should be ashamed of their iniquities and put away their transgressions; Eze. 43 : 11; but we have the declaration of another prophet, Jer. 6 : 15, that they did not comply with these conditions by being ashamed of their iniquities, and hence the prophecy was never fulfilled. Had they complied with it, it would have been fulfilled; but its fulfilment, as is certain from the specifications given, must have been in the former dispensation. This is plainly shown in the work on the Sanctuary, pp. 162–166.
Chapters 38 and 39 of Ezekiel are evidently a part of the same vision, hence resting on the same conditions; but the conditions never having been complied with, that prophecy is not to be fulfilled.
Without doubt, had ancient Israel heeded the invitations sent them of God through his prophets and messengers, instead of rejecting and persecuting his servants, he would have gathered from them a sufficient number to people the earth made new. Then this conditional prophecy given by Ezekiel would have been fulfilled; the enemies of God’s people under the names of Gog and Magog would have been gathered to that land, and would have been destroyed in the manner he had described; the sanctuary promised would have been built; and that people would have been placed in that position of exaltation and glory which is here set forth. But they made a disastrous failure; and God was obliged to reject them on account of their hardness of heart and blindness of mind.
He then goes to the Gentiles with his offers of mercy, and gathers from them the number required to make up the company of the redeemed. This, in Romans 11 : 25, is called the “fullness of the Gentiles.” This is the building of the tabernacle of David, and restoring the ruins thereof, spoken of in Acts 15 : 17; and when this is done, then we shall have all of the substantial features of Ezekiel’s prophecy fulfilled, only in another manner. A call is made, when Christ comes, to the fowls of the heavens to come to the supper of the great God as described in Rev. 19. This is the same that would have been fulfilled as described in Ezekiel 39 : 17 if Israel had complied with the conditions. At the end of the one thousand years, the enemies of God’s people again appear upon the stage of action under the names of Gog and Magog, just as given us in the book of Ezekiel. This is carrying out substantially the same purpose there brought to view; namely, the destruction of all the enemies of his truth and his work; only this is a dispensation later, and accomplished in a different manner.
It was the failure of ancient Israel through unbelief, and their provoking God by lack of faith in his word, which has made all this extension of time, and these new features in the plan of salvation, necessary. But the end will be accomplished at last as God proposed in the beginning; all Israel will be saved, the number being made up by believers in Christ from all nations; the throne of David [Christ] will finally be established. The earth will be purified from sin and the curse, and made a fit dwelling-place for the people of God. The enemies of the great King will be blotted from existence, and the universe will be pure and holy and happy, without a pang of suffering, or a stain of sin. But this end is to be reached, as the proof in this and previous numbers plainly shows, by a process far different from that involved in the doctrine called the “Age-to-Come.”
THE PACIFIC COAST.
By James White
The work upon the Pacific coast has been pushed forward rapidly, calling for great sacrifice on the part of the comparatively few supporters of the work there. Eastern brethren have raised not much less than $20,000 to send the first missionaries there with their cotton church, to pay for the types, presses, and other material to thoroughly furnish the Pacific Press, and to pay the railroad fare of those speakers who have taken the long journey to the coast. This was necessary and right, up to a time when the cause on the coast had gathered sufficient strength to sustain itself.
And now, as more laborers are wanted upon the Pacific coast, and as some of our feebler Eastern ministers need the change, the brethren in California, Oregon, and Washington come nobly up to the work, and offer to pay the fare of these ministers to the coast, and support them there, provided they remain, and are devoted and successful laborers, for the period of two or three years. We are in receipt of a letter from Eld. Haskell which entirely relieves this matter from all doubt.
There are debts upon the Pacific Press, partly in consequence of the local managers not making the great object for which the press was established the very first thing in all their efforts. With the blessing of God, the efforts to be immediately made to create an extensive market for our periodicals and publications throughout the Pacific coast States and Territories, will give the Office legitimate work, and will raise up patrons and supporters of the Signs of the Times, and other publications printed at the Pacific Press. There should be not less than four Tract and Missionary Institutes during the next winter. Through the efforts of the tract societies, and the labors of the ministers who shall make that their field for the next two or three years, the debts now resting upon the Pacific Press may be lifted, and the precious cause upon the Pacific slope be freed from all its financial embarrassments. J. W.
FOR THE TRUTH'S SAKE.
THE following communication from a brother in Texas shows what some of our friends are having to suffer for the sake of the truth. But like persons of whom we read in the apostles’ days, they seem to take joyfully the spoiling of their goods, and count it a blessing that they have the privilege of suffering for the cause of Christ. Bro. E. Taylor writes from Navarro Co., Texas:—
“I send you a copy of the preamble and resolutions of the Bethesda Baptist church, as published in the Observer Index, issued at Corsicana, Texas; also by the Texas Baptist, a paper published at Dallas, Texas; also in the Texas Baptist Herald. The church would not give us a Bible defense, although at their Conference meeting before, they agreed to have the matter discussed. We stand to-day and rejoice in the truth, a few of us, despised and denounced as evildoers. Bro. H. and family, Bro. T. and family, and myself and family, constitute the little company of Sabbath-keepers here.”
The following is the preamble and resolution referred to, taken from the Texas Baptist of March 11, 1880:—
PREAMBLE AND RESOLUTIONS.
Whereas, Charges have been preferred and sustained against the two Brethren, Elijah and Elisha Taylor, for heresy and disorder in doctrine and practice,
FIRST, HERESY. In that they teach that our Saturday is the Christian or true Sabbath, and thus ally themselves with the schismatics known as Seventh-day Adventists and the Jews.
SECOND, DISORDER. In that they engage in ordinary secular pursuits on the Sabbath day, which we hold to be contrary to the law and gospel.
THIRD, IRREGULAR PRACTICE. In that Eld. Elijah Taylor did administer the ordinance of baptism to his daughter, Lillie, without the knowledge or consent of the church, contrary to the law of Christ. In which act he was aided and abetted by Eld. Elisha Taylor.
Whereas, We are commanded to reject him that is an heretic after the first and second admonition, also to withdraw ourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly,
Be it resolved, By Bethesda Baptist church, that we do hereby withdraw fellowship from the aforesaid Brethren Taylor.
Resolved, Second, That we withdraw all authority from them as Baptist ministers, and demand of them a surrender of their credentials as such.
Resolved, Third, That a copy of these resolutions be sent to the Texas Baptist and Texas Baptist Herald for publication.
Done by order of Bethesda Baptist church, two and a half miles west of Corsicana, Navarro Co., Texas, in regular conference, on February 21, 1880.
Eld. B. F. Corn, Moderator.
B. K. Duncan, Clerk.
The Way They Prove It.
The Restitution teaches that the wicked dead will never be raised to life again. But Paul, in Acts 24:15, said that he had “hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.” This is almost too unwieldy a camel for them to swallow, but a correspondent, one J. A. Simonds, in the Restitution of March 24, 1880, attempts to gulp it down in the following theatrical manner. After quoting the text, he says: “This text as it stands here, seems to teach the resurrection of the unjust. But there must be some mistake about it”!
Oh, yes! Happy thought! We have made up our minds, they seem to say, that there will not be any resurrection of the unjust; and so though Paul plainly says that there will be a resurrection of that class, we will set that over to the “mistake” account, and pass it by on that ground. It does not strain some men’s egotism half so much to claim that the apostle Paul made a mistake, as to admit that they make one. And as if they were the lords and regulators of his inspiration, they proceed with the utmost nonchalance to tell us what the apostle meant to say, as this writer does further on.
“He evidently meant to say this,” says Mr. S. in the next paragraph; but unfortunately he didn’t say what he meant to, and so our modern paragon of humility steps forward to set him right before the world.
We had intended only to present that first most astonishing declaration to the reader, and leave it there; for one such declaration is sufficient to brand with everlasting condemnation any theory which drives its advocates to such a resort. But there are other points which we can hardly let pass, not because there is anything which deserves an answer, but because the blindness and falsity of the reasoning should be exposed.
Of the text, Acts 24:15, he says, “It has no parallels in all the writings of Paul or of the other apostles. There are no passages like it.” Will he then tell us what Christ “meant” to say, when he declared that the hour is coming in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice and shall come forth; they that have done good unto the resurrection of life, and they that have done evil unto the resurrection of damnation? John 5:28, 29. And what about Matt. 25:41–46? Absurd to suppose that only the wicked that happen to be alive when Christ comes, fall under that sentence. See also 1 Cor. 15:22; 2 Cor. 5:10; Rev. 1:7; 20:5, 12–15. No passages like it forsooth!
Our writer says that Paul was only expressing the hope of his accusers? Could perversion go further? Read the passage, verse 14: “But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets; and have hope toward God [who? the same I, Paul; I have hope toward God] which they themselves also allow [here they agree with me] that there shall be a resurrection of the dead both of the just and unjust.”
He claims that the resurrection is conditional, depending on the righteousness and holy character of those who are to share in it. This is a great mistake. A universal resurrection of the race is decreed without respect to character. The plan of salvation itself involves this: “In Christ shall all [who die in Adam] be made alive.” And after that they will live or die on their own account, and not on Adam’s, according as they are righteous or wicked. But this resurrection is in two divisions, the first and second—the first to eternal life, the second to eternal condemnation and death. And to the first there are conditions: a man must be holy to have a part in that. Rev. 5:6. Being unholy, they are left to the second. This is all the condition there is.
SHALL WE HAVE THEM?
By Stephen N. Haskell
BY ELD. S. N. HASKELL.
In Review No. 1, present volume, under the heading “Tract Society System Tested,” it was suggested that a report should be made at the time of the quarterly meetings in April covering the following points:—
1. The number of families in each district.
2. Stating how many have Testimony No. 29.
3. How many have “Spirit of Prophecy” for family reading.
4. How many have the REVIEW, also Good Health.
5. Giving the addresses of those who fail to take the above-mentioned publications, with the reasons why they do not have them.
One object in calling for this report is to prepare the way, so that steps can be taken to supply those unable to pay for these publications. Also, in obtaining the required information, a visiting spirit among the brethren, which is so much needed, will be encouraged, not to chit-chat upon nothing in particular, but to inquire after one another’s spiritual welfare, and watch for one another’s good. Every family of S. D. Adventists should be visited or corresponded with for this purpose.
Each State Secretary will take steps to learn, as nearly as possible, the above facts concerning each district in his or her society, and report at the next general quarterly meeting.
AN ADVANCE MOVEMENT.
By Stephen Nelson Haskell
We have sent this week to our tract societies a circular letter in reference to the Signs of the Times as a missionary sheet. We expect there will be a move made from Maine to California in the tract society work. We appeal to our brethren and sisters everywhere in reference to remailing our periodicals, also to our brethren acting as colporters. The Signs should be introduced into ten thousand families by personal effort in visiting.
Our brethren have done nobly in the past in taking clubs of the Signs, and remailing them to individuals in different parts of the world. There are believers at the present time in every portion of the civilized world rejoicing in the truth, as the result of the method so generally adopted by our vigilant missionary societies, of taking the Signs in clubs and remailing them. The final result of this labor will only be revealed when Christ, the Captain of our salvation, places on the heads of the patient, sacrificing laborers, crowns bedecked with stars, representing souls saved for his kingdom.
A faithful record has been kept of the prayers for the219blessing of God to attend the Signs, as they have been carried by the mail to different portions of the globe, accompanied with letters which breathed the spirit of true devotion to the work. God has bottled the tears shed by some, because they could do no more in this direction. He has accepted their feeble efforts put forth for the salvation of precious souls.
FRUIT OF THE LABOR.
One year ago last January, the Signs commenced with a list of about 8,000 subscribers. Upon a careful examination near the close of the volume, it was found that the permanent subscribers were increasing at the rate of nearly 1,000 per year. These subscribers were from every civilized nation on the globe. Even Japan and China were represented on the list. But this was not all. Many of our vigilant societies who were taking from one to two hundred copies at the commencement of 1879 added during the year to their number from 50 to 100 more. New vigilant missionary societies were organized, and additional clubs taken, until at the close of the year an edition of 10,000 was printed and sent to our friends everywhere.
Those becoming permanent subscribers were mostly persons who had received the paper from some missionary worker, and instead of responding to them had sent their address with their subscription price direct to the Signs office. In view of these facts, and the beneficial results of this kind of labor upon those engaged in it, a preamble and resolution was passed at the time of the General Conference, by the General Tract and Missionary Society, recommending the same course to be pursued with the Signs of the Times, until some other pioneer sheet should be prepared to take its place.
THE PRESENT VOLUME.
In view of the above, the present issue is “For the S. D. A. Tract and Missionary Societies” throughout this country and the world wherever the English language is spoken. No pains will be spared by its publishers to make it just the paper that is needed by the missionary workers. The neat heading of the paper, the variety of the matter, the different departments, including the Home Circle, General News, Miscellany, etc., cannot fail to interest any who would be interested in the truths it contains. It will also give a general idea of the work we are trying to carry forward.
It has been proposed to issue a sixteen and an eight-page edition of the Signs the size of the REVIEW. But to this there are serious objections: 1. With the sixteen-page nothing whatever, not even a small four-page tract, or the weekly Instructor or College Record could be remailed with it for one cent, and this at times is very desirable. 2. The eight-page edition is too small for a good missionary paper, and cannot contain that amount and variety of matter which should be found in a missionary paper. Therefore, feeling assured our brethren would want a larger paper than the eight-page, we adopt the twelve-page edition. With it can be mailed a copy of the weekly Instructor, the College Record, or a sixteen-page tract, without increasing the postage above one cent. The only difficulty we have to meet is the expense. A twelve-page paper costs more in proportion to its size than an eight-page, on account of the stitching and trimming. It therefore cannot be afforded with its present number of subscribers at less than $1.50 per year.
Notwithstanding this, and in order that nothing may stand in the way of all adopting the best paper, the Publishing Association now makes the following
VERY LIBERAL OFFER.
Those societies and individuals who are taking clubs of the eight-page edition, who wish to change to the twelve-page edition, can do so by adding to what they have paid or agreed to pay, one-half of the additional cost for the remainder of their subscription. The Association will give the other half.
Thus, if the Madison V. M. Society has paid for twelve copies till Jan., 1881, the extra expense from April 1st (9 months) would be thirty-seven and one-half cents per copy, or $4.50 on the club. The Association will give half of this, so that the change will cost the society but $2.25.
Those individuals who have taken the eight-page paper at $1.25, can change to the larger edition by paying at the rate of fifty cents a year additional.
The Association also makes the following offer, to stand for a few months, hoping to increase its circulation to 20,000 which will pay expenses at the above figures, providing it can have in addition to the above a list of 3,000 full-paying subscribers.
To new clubs of ten copies to one address, at $1.50 per copy, we will give two copies extra; if they subscribe for twenty copies at $1.50 each, four copies extra will be sent as a premium, and in the same ratio. For every additional ten copies, two extra. For one hundred copies they will receive twenty extra. This will give our missionary workers the privilege of taking the twelve-page edition at a very low price.
But we shall trust to our tract societies to help the Association in this matter. As many as are able should subscribe for one copy for themselves at $2.00. The clubs should be increased wherever it is consistent, and wherever they are not already organized, organize them. The Signs Office needs the patronage of the friends of the cause, and our tract societies need the paper. It will contain that matter which is adapted to the missionary work. We hope the interest taken in this pioneer sheet will be greater than ever before, and instead of an edition of 10,000, we expect ere the close of the present volume that it will be 20,000.
We cannot afford to slacken our hand now. We are too near the Judgment. It is not an untried experiment to remail the Signs of the Times. Every mission in Europe except Switzerland was commenced in this manner. It should, with Good Health, be placed in every respectable reading-room in the country, and on board of hundreds of steamers which traverse our rivers and lakes, and thus be read by hundreds of thousands of people during the present year. S. N. HASKELL, President Gen. S. D. A. Missionary Society.