p. 110 | Instructions for T. and M. Members

California Conference of Seventh-day Adventists · Oakland, Cal. · Jan 28, 1875

Instructions for T. and M. Members

By John Norton Loughborough

I HAD hoped all our T. and M. members, especially the officers, would read carefully the instructions given in the SIGNS relative to the mode of doing their work. Some are doing so; others are not, as I judge from their asking questions on matters already fully explained. Some have not read enough to know who our State secretary is. It does not look as though they were thoroughly posted if they send reports to Bro. J. W. Bond, the Vice-President, that should be sent to Sister Lucie Bush, State secretary, Woodland, Cal. I am glad to see, for the most part, a desire on the part of all to learn how to do the missionary work. This encourages to patiently instruct and help all we can.

The first great mission work in which we propose to engage, is to extend, as much as possible, the circulation of the SIGNS. If all were awake to the importance of this matter as we should be, we could and should, add 1,000 names to our list of subscribers in the next six weeks. Shall we do it? In the report of our State quarterly meeting, as published in the last SIGNS, you will see it was voted to prepare a supplement to be placed in the back numbers, thus enabling our missionary workers to send single copies to their friends anywhere the English language is read. These can be sent to any part of the United States or Canada, by addressing them distinctly and placing upon the wrapper a one cent postage stamp. We are happy to report to you that these supplements are printed, and we are now prepared to supply orders from the directors.

The object of sending out these papers with supplements, is to place in the hands of our friends and any whose names and address we obtain a sample of the paper, while the supplement sets forth the merits of the case, and solicits their subscription, and thus obviates the necessity of our writing a letter, unless it is preferred in special cases to do so. It is not proposed to mail copies to those we could and should see personally and converse with the matter. To avoid confusion there should be some system in the distribution of these papers, especially in the use of the names from directories, otherwise different ones will be mailing the same papers to the same person, which might not make a favorable impression. To illustrate: There is one directory of Sonoma, Marin, Napa and Lake counties. In these four counties are parts of three districts. There should be an understanding between the directors of these districts as to what parts of these counties each is to canvass. In these counties much can be done by personal canvassing. Where this can be done it is preferable. We want to use these supplement papers largely in obtaining access to these counties where we have no living canvassers. Shall we "up" and at this work? One brother in district No. 3, is sending us regularly about two paid subscribers a week. We don't know what we can do till we try. Let us receive our orders for these SIGNS and make an earnest effort in canvassing.

I would say for the encouragement of others that brother John Morrison was in this office, some two weeks since, giving me the names and address of several paid subscribers, he mentioned the name of an acquaintance to whom he wished a paper sent on trial. One copy was sent. It had the desired effect. We received a letter from the party last night containing pay for the paper for six months, and requesting to become a permanent, full paying subscriber. Try again Bro. Morrison, and brethren and sisters—all try. J. N. L.