Notes From the Field

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 3, 1908

Notes From the Field

NEVER before in the history of our work have we been able to present such a summary to our people as we give this week, covering the work done during the month of July, 1908. This summary shows a gain of forty-five thousand dollars, or sixty per cent, over the banner month last year. This is the more striking on account of the industrial depression and political excitement through which this country is passing this year. It is also a remarkable evidence that our people are becoming more alive to the fact that now, as never before, is the way open for the circulation of our literature. Let us press forward, and seize the favorable opportunities which the Lord is giving us for bringing the truth before the people through the medium of the printed page.

The report from the West Indian Union Conference is the first we have been able to publish from this field, and represents the work done for the first six months of 1908. The work in that field is being thoroughly established on an organized basis, and the brethren have promised reports of their work each month in the future.

The Lake Union Conference summary for the month of July, 1908, shows a total of $5,928.20 as against $2,733 last year for the same month, in the same territory,—a gain of one hundred sixteen per cent. Thus does the Lord bless perseverance in systematic, organized effort in the sale of our publications.

Cheering reports from the band of student canvassers in the North Pacific Union Conference have come to this office this week. Up to Aug. 12, 1908, thirty-five of these young people had taken orders of a sufficient amount to entitle them to scholarships.

The value of orders reported by our canvassers for the five weeks ending July 31, 1908, is $6,639.32, while the amount reported for the corresponding five weeks of 1907, is $3,882.14. This is certainly encouraging.—Atlantic Union Gleaner.

It is stated in the Northern Union Reaper that two families in Herrick S. D., have accepted the Sabbath through the efforts of Brother J. Fisher, who is canvassing in Gregory County. Elder Valentine Leer has gone to give them further instruction.

It will be noticed that three of the union conferences in North America are well over the eleven-thousand-dollar mark this month.

Many of the readers of the REVIEW have followed with interest the sales of the conference which led all others in the United States last year in subscription-book sales,—California,—and have wondered at the seeming falling off of the work in that conference. This falling off has not been so great as has appeared from the reports in the REVIEW; for the sales from their tract society office on subscription books for the first seven months of 1908 show a decline of only eleven per cent, with a marked increase in the sale of other literature. The channels through which this literature has been distributed are such as to make it almost impossible to give full reports of work done.

From the Chesapeake Conference comes the following model report for one week's work with “Daniel and Revelation:” Hours, 45; exhibitions, 41; orders, 15; total value, $54.25. This report is not remarkable for the total value of orders taken, but to many it may well serve as a model; for it shows an average of nine hours worked each day; patient, conscientious work on each exhibition; and as a result an average of better than one order to three exhibitions.

The first week's report from the four agents who have gone to Mexico to circulate our literature in the Spanish, shows an average of one dollar an hour, American gold, for the time worked. This is surely an encouraging beginning for men who know practically nothing of the language of the country.

Our hearts are made glad as we note the energetic way in which our brethren in mission fields are taking hold of the book work, and the advance steps which are being taken for its systematic organization.