The Bookmen's Convention at College View by C. G. BELLAH

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 8, 1912

The Bookmen's Convention at College View

By C. G. BELLAH

FOR the first time in the history of the work in this Western field, all the union missionary agents in the Pacific Press territory met for counsel in connection with the bookmen’s convention of the Central and Northern unions held in College View, Neb., Jan. 8-15, 1912.

Two days the union agents were occupied in laying plans for the work during 1912, and in seeking God for wisdom and power to carry them out successfully. This was indeed a profitable meeting, and will mean much for the work in this field.

Besides the field missionary agents of the Northern and Central Union conferences, the following leaders in the publishing work were present: A. A. Cone, general agent of the Pacific Union Conference; W. R. Beatty, general agent of the North Pacific Union; F. E. Painter from the Northern Union; W. L. Manful from the Western Canadian Union, and the writer from the Central Union Conference.

Besides these, we had with us N. Z. Town from Washington, D. C.; H. H. Hall and G. C. Hoskin from Mountain View, Cal.; and James Cochran and S. J. Abegg from Kansas City, Mo.

The convention proper opened January 10, with most of the field agents of the Northern and Central unions present. The good spirit of the union men’s meeting was carried into the convention. A note of victory was sounded from the very first. It seemed hardly possible that any meeting could be better than the first one, but each succeeding one grew in interest.

The recommendations of the General Conference Publishing Department relative to uniting the magazine and subscription-book work under the management of the union and field agents, was not only voted unanimously, but with enthusiasm. This is a step in the right direction, and will mean great advancement in the circulation of our literature in this field.

The thought of faithful service was prominent throughout the convention. Each union and field agent pledged himself not only to spend ample time assisting the canvassers in field work, but to spend at least two successive weeks with prospectus in actual field work during 1912, reporting the result with the other canvassers.

The following important measure was passed by the convention:—

“That a regular colporteur’s credentials be granted to permanent canvassers who have demonstrated their faithfulness and consecration to the satisfaction of the conference committee; and to students who have declared their intention of making this their permanent work, and have spent at least two vacations canvassing.”

“That a colporteur’s license be issued to those who have had less experience, but give evidence of becoming successful laborers in this branch of the work.”

We believe this will be a source of great encouragement to our faithful, permanent workers.

The sale of subscription books in the Northern Union for 1911 amounted to $21,625.38, and in the Central to $35,036.43. But for 1912 we have set our stakes for sales far beyond these, and intend by God’s help to reach them.

We believe that our bookmen should have proper encouragement and assistance from the conference, and then be expected to get results. The ox that treads out the corn ought not to be muzzled, but we also believe he ought to tread out corn.

Above all, stress was laid upon the fact that the very best plans and methods in the world are useless without the Spirit of God to breathe life into them. We feel that an advance step must be taken this year. Only ordinary things have been done in the past, but the time has come when extraordinary things must be accomplished. We are in God’s hands for service.

C. G. BELLAH.