TRACT SOCIETY INSTITUTES by Stephen Nelson Haskell

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 13, 1879

TRACT SOCIETY INSTITUTES.

By Stephen Nelson Haskell

Our experience thus far has fully convinced us of the utility of these Institutes. We believe the Seventh-day Adventists are the most willing people in the world, when they learn just how to work, notwithstanding there is so little accomplished in comparison with what might and should be done. The present magnitude of the work is such that but little can be accomplished without systematic effort in the missionary work. The time has fully come when there must be a co-operation of all our leading brethren and sisters; for without this, no tract society can prosper. Not only should clubs of Signs be taken in every church, but there should also be canvassers, both brethren and sisters, for each of our periodicals. These periodicals will accomplish far more in awakening a permanent interest than tracts alone.

Let our ministers encourage this work, and co-operate with our leading brethren in the same, and in less than six months as many as twenty thousand copies of the Signs of the Times, and more than that number of Good Health, will be taken this side of the Rocky Mountains. Unless there is systematic action in each society, from the librarian to the State secretary, worse confusion will exist than if there were no tract society organization. In those conferences which have no correct system in doing business, should the brethren undertake to perform twenty times the present amount of missionary labor, in obtaining subscribers, remailing the Signs, etc., a large share of their business would be misunderstood, and not transacted correctly.

NOW WHAT SHALL BE DONE?

First, instruct our brethren and sisters, especially tract and missionary officers and any that may become such, to do their business correctly. Ministers and lay members who labor in our churches, or in new fields, should become so thoroughly acquainted with the correct system of missionary work that they will be qualified to instruct members and officers respecting their duties.

They should never leave a church, either new or old, without understanding what is being done in that church to forward all branches of the cause, and giving suitable instructions in regard to laboring successfully. The apostle Paul writes: “Teaching every man in all wisdom [or wisdom in all things]; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.” This is the duty of each teacher among God's people. To teach men to pray, to repent and believe, to speak in meeting, etc., is a great and essential work; but if instruction ends there, the church will be much like Jonah's gourd. If you would have a strong church, one that can stand amid the fiery darts of Satan, teach them how to labor for others in an understanding manner, how to correctly transact business in the missionary work, etc. An understanding of these things will give them confidence in the work. They should be instructed to endure hardness as good soldiers, and learn from practical experience the meaning of these words: “In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.” To thus endure for the sake of the cause of Christ, will keep men and women from backsliding, and they will be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption which is in the world through lust.

In regard to conducting T. and M. Institutes, we design to practically illustrate every principle in the missionary work, and show one great cause of discouragement that has existed in the tract societies. At these Institutes we can teach one hundred and fifty or two hundred as well as ten. The time is short, and we cannot hold a number of Institutes in any one conference, but there should be at least one held in each State. We have but little heart to visit church after church, and endeavor to stir up our brethren to take hold and work in the missionary cause, when we have every reason to believe that the business will be done in a manner which will in a few weeks bring a greater discouragement on them than before. At present we are inclined to visit those conferences where they can give us at least a two weeks' meeting with the leading brethren of the State, including tract society officers and as many more as can attend.

OUR MEETING IN SIGOURNEY, IOWA,

was well attended considering the time of the year, and other circumstances. Ten ministers who were laboring in the field were present, besides “honorable women not a few.” Quite a drawback was experienced in consequence of an epidemic which prevailed during the entire time. Some of the time nearly one-third of the number were detained at home on account of sickness. We were cheered with the presence of Eld. Geo. I. Butler during about a week of the time.

One great source of encouragement was, that at the close of the Institute many seemed determined to go to work to advance the interests of the various church societies to which they belong. One sister who lives where there has been no tract society organized, took with her a set of Librarian's books, a set of the Testimonies for a circulating library, and an agency to obtain signers to the temperance pledge. Many others did the same; but she was the only one who represented a company where they had no organized tract society. She was from a company recently brought into the truth under the labors of Eld. McCoy.

Seventeen churches were here represented, and ten districts, besides one in Kansas. At the tract meeting, Jan. 26, some important steps were taken which if judiciously carried out will prove a great blessing to the Iowa Tract Society.

About sixty meetings were held, twenty-two Institute meetings of three hours each, twenty-two sermons were preached by the different ministers present, and, much of the time, two social meetings were held each day. We hope that good will result from these meetings. The resident brethren and sisters manifested great joy in having the privilege of caring for those from abroad; especially did they do all in their power to minister to those who were sick.

Eld. McCoy did much to add to the interest of the Institute.

S. N. Haskell.