p. 94 | Missionary Department by John Norton Loughborough

California Conference of Seventh-day Adventists · OAKLAND, CAL. · Dec 31, 1874

Missionary Department.

By John Norton Loughborough

"Philip saith unto him, Come and see." John 1:46.

Work to be Done.

WE are making some advancement in getting ready for missionary work, and some are really at work in good earnest. Most of the districts have now made their reports of officers; some have not.

Sr. Bush, our State Missionary Secretary, writes me: "I find that the 'new' churches are more prompt than the old ones. To some of the old churches I have written twice for lists and have heard nothing. I am afraid I shall not have my district book just as it should be, if they don't hurry up with their lists."

I am sorry there should be tardiness with any; it does not augur well for efficient laborers. In order for our Secretary to open her books properly, she wants to know who the secretary is in each district, and who is appointed, by the director, as librarian and business agent in each church. Why keep her waiting, with book partly completed, because of some one's tardiness? Again, in order to open her account aright with the State Missionary Society, she wants, first, to make an entry of the number of pages of pamphlets, tracts, &c., on hand in the State. She is looking to me for the items. She writes me, "I have not made an entry in the cash book yet. When shall I receive items for record in it?" I called, in SIGNS Nos. 10 and 11, for lists of books, tracts and documents on hand in each church. I requested the director to see that these lists were sent. I have responses from eleven churches; three (all old churches) have not responded. As a last expedient, I have, to-day, written personally to each church, to see if I can get these lists.

Perhaps there is some excuse for all this; but let us all, brethren and sisters, get our hearts more fully imbued with this missionary spirit, and let us all learn to move with promptness when the "forward march" is heard in our ranks. If we have hearts desirous of doing in the Master's cause, we shall be watching for a chance to labor, then we shall hail with gladness any opportunity to do in the missionary work. Some have been trying their hand in obtaining subscribers to the SIGNS; others promise to "do something in this direction by-and-by." Some have been doing quite well in disposing of the Hygienic Almanacs. Now is the time to push them into every available place. We have a good supply of them; let your orders come in. Five hundred have already gone out from this office. These almanacs are not only excellent because of their own intrinsic merits, but they call attention to our health works, and to the Health Reformer; and this is one means by which attention is being called to this people and to the truth.

If we are awake, as we should be, to the importance of the times, and to the importance of the truths we have for the times, and, if we get some realizing sense of the responsibility that rests upon those who have the light of these truths, we shall seek to occupy any avenue by which we may reach the ears of the people with the truth. In regard to the almanac, those who have made efforts to introduce it in their communities where they live, report that it meets with general favor from all. Bro. Howard, writing yesterday, says: "The almanacs sell readily at the first glance. I am having good success so far." Some think it too small a matter to sell almanacs. Ah! and is it not likely if duties were presented requiring a greater effort, they would have some excuse to evade that. "He that is faithful in least, is faithful also in much." So let us all take hold of every enterprise as it comes up, and in its time. Now is the time for the almanacs, just as the new year is coming in.

A brother writes us from Mich.: "As the result of circulating the almanacs, in which attention is called to the Health Institute, many have come in, so that the Institute is as full now as it was last summer." Hundreds that have gone to that Institute to gain their physical health have learned the way of righteousness and truth, and have gone home Sabbath-keepers. Let this Institution be advertised. How do you know but some almanac you might sell on this coast may be sent by the party to some friend in the East; that soul may be brought where they may gain health of mind and body. Let us try to do good.