Missionary Work and Periodical Distribution
The report shows a lack of interest on the part of members to report, also of some of the librarians and district secretaries. No report has been received from Districts No. 2 and No. 9, and only partial reports from some other districts. It takes an interest in the work and constant effort on the part of all the officers to secure a full report. The members should be visited and reminded of their duty to report. If we do not faithfully perform that which is intrusted to us here, when the Saviour comes will he say to us, Well done? A statement was read showing the number of individual Signs taken in the State to be 550, and the increase of Signs taken in clubs over last year, 374. The number of Reviews taken 200, number of Good Healths 662; of which 120 are taken in clubs. Books to the amount of $12.00 have been furnished to the Sacramento library at the expense of the State Society. The Signs and Good Health have been furnished to a number of libraries and reading-rooms in San Francisco, and many have become interested from reading them. The interest in the Ship Mission is increasing. Many that have read some of our publications are inquiring for more and are deeply interested. Opportunity for remarks was given the directors and others interested in the missionary work. The subject of distributing our periodicals was discussed at some length. Eld. Waggoner suggested that our own State should have special attention. Foreigners, and those who have studied the work, are better prepared to work for those in foreign countries. Being strangers to us, and having different dispositions and surroundings, it requires carefulness and wisdom in writing to them so as to make a favorable impression for the truth. There is a sufficient field on the Pacific Coast for all our workers. The events of the present time should lead us to activity in the missionary work. The way is opening for a successful canvass, and we must be at the work which will meet us in the Judgment. We have a new issue on which to work. Those who are not attracted by the advent truth will be interested in the Sunday Question. It now concerns them and they will take time to investigate. This interest opens a new field of labor and affords an excellent opportunity to bring the truth before business men who could not before be reached.69But we must have means to carry forward the work. The president stated that some system should be devised by which we can raise the necessary funds to defray the expenses of the society; and regretted that all the directors were not present to hear the deliberations that they might be able to lay the plans before those in the districts over which they preside. The chair appointed Wm. Saunders, W. C. White, and E. J. Waggoner as a committee to put in the form of resolutions the subjects that were discussed. Eld. Waggoner then preached a missionary sermon impressing the importance of the work, and the necessity of each one taking an active part, for our own benefit, as well as for the saving of perishing souls around us. Those present seemed deeply effected by the remarks, and we hope were aroused to activity in the closing work of the message. The meeting of the society was resumed at 4 P. M. when the Committee on Resolutions made the following report:— WHEREAS, There is a vast unoccupied field on this coast, and the present Sunday agitation has created an interest in anything pertaining to the Sabbath question, therefore, Resolved, That we recommend the missionary workers of California to confine their labors at the present time largely to the Pacific Coast. WHEREAS, the Signs of the Times will each week contain live articles adapted to the present issues, therefore, Resolved, That we carry out there commendations of the General Tract Society, and use this paper, together with special Sabbath tracts, in our missionary work. Resolved, That we recommend each church society to adopt a systematic plan of giving for the support of missionary labor, and that so far as possible, the plan known as the "one-third" be adopted, the money being paid to the librarian weekly, monthly, or quarterly, as may be decided by each individual society. Resolved, That while we wish our local societies to increase their efforts and to improve every opening of providence, we recommend them to undertake no enterprise for which they have not the means pledged, or in the treasury. The third and fourth resolutions were spoken of and considered by those present. Dr. Waggoner spoke of the amount of means needed to carry on the missionary work, and that it would take the one-third and even more to carry on the work of a vigorous society. We should give frequently and not wait until the end of the year as it will be more difficult than to give each week or at the end of the quarter. We could not retain our spirituality if we did not continually pray, and the same principle applies in giving. Bro. Young remarked that he had been prospered in giving his just dues. The resolutions were again called for and read after which they were unanimously adopted. The subject of reporting was again spoken of by the president and others; and it was decided that every member be requested to hand in a report each quarter whether they have been at work or not, that it may be known on whom the responsibility of the work rests. On motion the meeting adjourned. M. C. ISRAEL, Vice Pres.
ALICE MORRISON, Ass't Sec'y.