The Missionary | AdventAI

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Oct 26, 1882

The Missionary.

California T. and M. Society.

The twelfth annual session of the California Tract and Missionary Society was held at Healdsburg. First meeting, Oct. 8, 1882, at 9 A. M., the Vice-President, Eld. M. C. Israel in the chair. Prayer was offered by Eld. I. D. Van Horn. The minutes of the last annual session were read and approved. The annual report of labor was then read, as follows:— Present membership of the society, 637. Reports returned, 942. Families visited, 4,907. Letters written, 5,012. Pages distributed, 1,088-474. Periodicals distributed, 84,100. Signs taken in clubs, 1,560. New subscribers obtained, 969. Annuals distributed 379. This was contrasted with that of the previous year, showing an increase in every respect, except in that of reports returned, which is due to the fact that no report has been received from district No. 2 for two quarters. As this is one of the strongest missionary districts it would have increased the number of reports returned. H. C. Palmer gave an account of the ship work for the past year. Four hundred and eighty ships have been visited. Many persons are reading with interest the reasons of our faith, and some acknowledge the truth. Four are keeping the Sabbath. This branch of the work still increases in interest, and it is evident that this is one of the most efficient means of getting the truth before all nations. To meet the demands of the cause occasioned by the increased agitation of the Sunday question in this State, nineteen thousand of the tract entitled "Sunday Law" were printed, the most of which have been distributed. It was found that a weekly paper would be more readily accepted and read, accordingly steps were taken to issue a special four-page edition of the Signs for ten weeks, the first four numbers of which have already gone abroad and are received with favor. The expense of this edition will be about eighteen hundred dollars, one-fourth of which has been received in donations and subscriptions. Eld. Smith, who is here to assist in this work, stated that the indications of the nearness of the end should inspire us with zeal, hope, and courage. We do not expect to prevent the object which they are seeking to secure, but we can take advantage of the excitement, and place our position on the subject before the people; and our duty will be done, and many souls be brought to the light of truth. The following committees were appointed: On Nominations, W. M. Healey, W. C. White, J. D. Rice; On Resolutions, U. Smith, Mrs. B. C. Rice, E. J. Waggoner. The second meeting was held Oct. 10, at 9 A. M. The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved. The committee on resolutions submitted the following:— WHEREAS, The President of this Society, Eld. S. N. Haskell, is now absent visiting the different missions in Europe, Resolved, That, while we miss his presence and counsel in this meeting, we rejoice in the measure of success which is attending his labors in those distant fields, and we invite him, on his return, to spend as much of his time as may be consistent with other duties in the different districts which compose this society. Resolved, That we express our gratitude to God for the prosperity that has attended the tract and missionary work in this State during the past year. WHEREAS, The present crisis in California made it desirable to put speedily into circulation during the closing weeks of the present political campaign, a large special edition of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES, in order to present our views more fully before the people; and WHEREAS, In the T. and M. Society we had an organization already provided which is successfully performing this work—a work which, without this organization we should have been wholly unprepared for, and could not have accomplished; therefore, Resolved, That we see in this a new evidence of the providence of God in the formation of the T. and M. Societies in connection with this cause, calling upon us for renewed expressions of gratitude to God for the same. Resolved, That we indorse the action of the officers of this Society in issuing the Special Edition of the SIGNS, and that we guarantee the payment of all the expense of that edition that is not already, or may not be otherwise, provided for. Resolved, That we recommend the "Special Edition" to our brethren as a worthy object for their donations and subscriptions.

Resolved, that we renew the resolution passed at our last session in favor of supplying public libraries with our leading denominational works; and since the present condition of the public mind in this State makes it very desirable that this should be done at once, we would still more earnestly urge that its provisions be carried out. WHEREAS, We recognize in the ship missionary work the means of widely disseminating the light of present truth, Resolved, That the work be continued, and, as means are needed, we recommend our brethren throughout the State to remember this important branch of the work in their provision for the wants of the cause. WHEREAS, New and unexpected fields for effective missionary labor are constantly being presented both by the friends and the enemies of the truth; therefore, Resolved, That we authorize the officers of this Society to meet any emergency which may arise during the year, and we pledge ourselves to give them our moral and financial support. These resolutions were acted upon separately and unanimously adopted. The first was spoken to by Eld. Waggoner. The third called forth remarks in favor of the Special Edition of the Signs, several testifying to the readiness with which it is received, and that they are able to awaken an interest where before it was impossible. By vote on the fourth resolution all agreed to support it with their means. After the reading of the sixth resolution, N. C. McClure inquired as to whether the books placed in libraries are extensively read. It was stated by those who have visited the libraries, that they find the SIGNS and Good Health well received, and in small libraries the books are read to some extent; but in large libraries, among so many books of a different character, ours remain unnoticed. A third meeting was called Oct. 13. Prayer by W. M. Healey. After the reading of the minutes of the last session, the Treasurer's report was read as follows:— Cash on hand, Oct. 22, 1881..........$2,003.25 Received on Account................4,459.59 " " Reserve Fund................550.00 " " Gen. T. and M. Society..... 50.00 " " Spanish Mission............. 20.00 " " Signs to England............ 44.50 " " Tent Fund................... 17.00-$7,144.34 Paid Signs Office...................$4,714.12 " Review and Herald............... 518.50 " Incidentals.....................100.15 " Gen. T. and M. Society.......... 10.00 " Reserve Fund..................1,784.57 " Tent Fund....................... 17.00-$7,144.34 FINANCIAL STANDING OF THE SOCIETY. Due from Districts on Account........$770.85 " " Individuals.................. 45.84 " " Signs to England............... 40.75 " " Seaman's Mission..............272.97 Reserve Deposit....................3,363.50-$4,493.91 Society owes Signs Office.............$ 64.15 " " Gen. T. and M. Society....... 40.00 " " Spanish Mission..............131.00-$235.15 Assets.............................$4,258.76 The wants of the Seaman's Mission were spoken of by the Vice-President. He thought a reading-room should be provided near the wharf, where the missionaries can live and keep a supply of our publications; here the sailors that are interested can come and learn more of the truth. H. C. Palmer stated that the V. M. Societies have not been faithful in sending papers to the addresses given them. This discourages the sailors, and more names cannot be obtained. Wm. Ings, an experienced worker in this branch in Europe, gave a brief account of his labors. He considered it in the order of the Lord that this work should be carried forward. The work is very different in Europe from what it is in America, as the laws in regard to visiting ships are very stringent, while here they are loose, yet much reading matter has been distributed; many books and papers have been sold, and some good accomplished. Sister White's writings are highly prized. San Francisco is an important place for this work, as more large ships from all parts of the world visit this port than any other. The Nominating Committee reported as follows: President, S. N. Haskell; Vice-President, M. C. Israel; Secretary and Treasurer, Alice Morrison; Assistant Secretary, Luella Hail; Director of District No. 1, Wm. Ings; No. 2, J. E. Yoakum; No. 3, W. A. Pratt; No. 4, J. D. Bandy; No. 5, Wm. Saunders; No. 6, D. S. Hemstreet; No. 7, E. J. Waggoner; No. 8, M. C. Israel; No. 9, J. B. E. Young. These persons were duly elected for the ensuing year. By vote San Benito Co. was changed from District No. 2 to No. 8, as the mountains separate this county from the district to which it properly belongs. Adjourned sine die. M. C. ISRAEL, Vice-Pres. ALICE MORRISON, Secretary.