p. 22 | Missionary Conventions

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 18, 1915

Missionary Conventions

By V. O. Punches; Bessie E. Acton

REALIZING the great need of a revival of the missionary spirit among our churches, the home missionary and Missionary Volunteer departments of the Ohio Conference united in holding a series of missionary conventions among the larger churches of the conference. The plan of the leaders was to stir our people to greater activity and to teach them how to do this kind of work. Ten conventions for this purpose were held from September 1 to the close of the year. We feel sure that all are interested in the results, so wish to give a report of the meetings and our plan of conducting them.

The conventions were opened on Friday evening with a stirring talk on the progress of the message. On Sabbath, the giving of the third angel’s message to all the world in this generation, and how all may do personal work in its completion, was considered. During the Sunday morning service the subject of “How to Win Our Young People From the World” was carefully discussed. This was a subject that was of special interest in all the churches. In the afternoon we organized for service. At every church either a home missionary or a Missionary Volunteer society was organized, and where the membership was sufficiently large, both societies were formed. The closing meeting was a practical demonstration of methods of doing missionary work. Many who attended said this taught them more than all the talks they had ever heard.

One special feature of the conventions was the splendid display of books on hand. The tract society bought a trunk, and filled it with a sample of each of our leading books, a good line of Bibles, and a generous supply of tracts with which to begin immediate work. As a result of this display, $630 worth of books, Bibles, and tracts was sold. This made the meetings pay financially.

The most encouraging item of all, however, was the way our people took hold of the missionary plans, and began preparing for more efficient service. Many decided to follow Paul’s injunction to Timothy, “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Tim. 2:15. In order to do this a large number in every church have taken up the Standard of Attainment studies.

Many of the young people also determined that they would read and study only the best books. Fifty-seven of the Reading Course sets were sold. Some decided to spend their spare time in selling our smaller books. Twenty-seven bought the home workers’ prospectus, and as a result a large number of our smaller books were placed in the homes of their neighbors and friends. Others, as a result of these meetings, are devoting their entire time to the service of God, and are now selling our larger books.

These meetings were not only a benefit to our own people, but many outside the church who attended, expressed their interest in this work. At one place a woman who had never been in an Adventist church before, bought four of our large books. Many others also bought books. In several places there were those who became so interested in the truth that they called for more meetings, and openings were made for Bible readings. One church raised sixty dollars for a church library.

These results are gratifying, and we know that they are the answer to earnest prayer.

V. O. PUNCHES, Home Missionary Secretary; BESSIE E. ACTON, Missionary Volunteer Secretary.