p. 19 | Some Helps for the Home Missionary Work

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D.C. · Feb 25, 1915

Some Helps for the Home Missionary Work

By E. M. Graham

Home Missionary Leaflets

To assist in organizing our churches for work, some leaflets called the “Home Missionary Series” are being issued. Three numbers are now ready: “The Relation of Church Members to the Finishing

of the Work” (price, ½ cent), “Organization of Churches for Home Missionary Work” (price, ¾ cent), and “The Missionary Meeting, Reasons and Plans” (price, ¾ cent).

The leaflet on organization deals with membership, officers, missionary committee, bands, division of territory, reporting, duties of missionary leader, duties of church missionary secretary (or librarian), and missionary meeting.

The leaflet on the missionary meeting takes up the reasons for holding such a meeting, when it may be held, the program, prayer in the missionary meeting, the use of the Bible in it, how to vary the reporting, what subjects to consider, supplies, announcements, relation of the Missionary Volunteer meeting to the general missionary meeting.

All church workers will find these leaflets helpful, as they deal with questions that are continually raised in connection with this home missionary work.

“Church Officers’ Gazette”

The Church Officers’ Gazette is indispensable to churches which desire to keep abreast with the advancing home missionary campaign. In it are given the fourth Sabbath home missionary programs, in which various plans of work are outlined. There are also suggestions for weekly missionary meetings, to assist in the preparation of helpful programs. Instructions are given, whenever space permits, on the duties of missionary officers and on the various problems connected with missionary work. Through its columns any questions on church work that are sent in are answered. In addition to the Home Missionary Department, there is a valuable department of General Instruction to all church officers, to which the most experienced ministers in the denomination are contributing. Every church should see that a sufficient number of copies of this paper are taken to enable every officer to have access to it, and one copy should be filed as part of the church library, for reference by future officers. The subscription price is 50 cents for a single copy for one year, and 35 cents for two or more copies to one address for one year.

Lessons for Home Missionary Institutes

For the use of those who conduct home missionary institutes in our churches, a pamphlet has been prepared, entitled “Lessons for Home Missionary Institutes.” It gives a brief lesson on each of the following subjects, with questions on each lesson: “Organization of the Church for Work,” “Relation of the Missionary Volunteer Society to the Church Missionary Society,” “Duties of the Missionary Leader,” “The Missionary Meeting,” “The Missionary Program,” “Reporting,” “Bands and Their Leaders,” “Division of Territory,” “Duties of the Church Missionary Secretary,” “Work With Tracts,” “Work With Periodicals,” “Work With Magazines,” “Home Workers’ Books,” “Missionary Correspondence,” “Bible Readings,” “Christian Help Work,” “Temperance Work,” “Earning Money for Missions,” “Personal Work,” “Work for Foreigners.”

While primarily intended for institute work, this little book would be a valuable help to the church elders, church missionary secretaries, and other missionary officers. The price is 15 cents.

An Appeal to Our Churches

The tract, by Mrs. E. G. White, entitled “An Appeal to Our Churches in Behalf of Home Missionary Work,” has been reprinted in envelope size. This tract should have a wide circulation among conference workers, church officers, and lay members, because it contains much valuable instruction and counsel in regard to the home missionary work. No one can read this tract without being impressed that the Lord attaches great importance to the training of our people for service. The appeals he has made through his servant to his people are strong and urgent, and every loyal heart will respond to them. This tract is particularly helpful in institute work and in church work generally. The price is 2 cents.

It will be seen that there are now available many helps for promoting the home missionary work in our churches and among our isolated members. We trust all who are carrying responsibilities in this cause will provide themselves with these helps, for they are inexpensive, and within the reach of all.

E. M. GRAHAM.