GENERAL SUMMARY OF MISSIONARY LABOR.
By Maria L. Huntley
NAMES OF CONFERENCES: New York; Michigan; Illinois; Indiana; Ohio; Pennsylvania; Kentucky; Missouri; Wisconsin; Minnesota; Kansas; Georgia; California; Texas.
REPORT OF THE UNITED STATES. |
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| Number of Districts |
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| Number of Members |
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| Reports Retd. |
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| New Members |
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| Families Visited |
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| Letters Written |
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| Subscribers for Periodicals |
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| Signs taken in Clubs |
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| Periodicals Distributed |
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| Annuals Distributed |
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| Pages of Tracts and Pamphlets Distributed |
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| Souls Visited |
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| Money Received |
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The above summary of missionary labor for the quarter ending January, 1879, gives the amount reported by seventeen tract societies. These societies have a membership of from 800 to 1500 each, but the reports show that only a small portion are working members. If all would do what they could, and report the same, the reports presented each quarter would be greatly improved. However, the present outlook is quite hopeful, particularly in respect to finances. The secretary of the Illinois tract society, in a private letter says: “This State, considering our numbers and the hard times, is doing well. Since camp-meeting we have cancelled our indebtedness to the Signs Office, and materially reduced our debt to the Review Office, while at the same time we have made large additions to our publications in the State depository. We wish to do better in Illinois. We have set our mark high, but we keenly realize that we fall far below it. As the work develops, and new features are presented, we shall endeavor to keep all the various objects before our brethren.” The secretary of the Kentucky society also writes: “The cause is rising here, and I believe more will be accomplished in 1879 than in any previous year. My faith and courage are daily increasing. Our last general quarterly meeting was one of the best meetings ever held in the State. Pray for the cause in Kentucky and Tennessee.” Eld. Lane speaks encouragingly of the Indiana society, especially in regard to its financial condition. Others have spoken in the same manner in their reports. At the close of the last quarter, the total indebtedness of the tract societies at the Review Office was some $12,000. Since that time it has been reduced to about $8000. The New York society having been one of those most heavily in debt, has been able to cancel its indebtedness up to the first of January. Iowa has done nearly as well, and presents a report this quarter from every district in the State. This is encouraging. If the same progress is made during the next three months, one great cause of discouragement to the tract societies will be removed. MARIA L. HUNTLEY,
Sec. Gen. T. & M. Society.