p. 87 | MINNESOTA TRACT SOCIETY by H. Grant; Nettie L. Grant

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

MINNESOTA TRACT SOCIETY.

By H. Grant; Nettie L. Grant

The Minnesota T. and M. Society held its quarterly meeting in connection with the meeting at Hutchinson, Feb. 21–25. Meeting called to order by the president. Prayer by Bro. Curtis.

The report of labor for the past six months was read, and showed an increase of interest in the missionary work. The financial report was read by the secretary, showing an indebtedness to the offices of over $1200. At this point in the meeting Eld. Haskell made some remarks showing the necessity of having a reserve tract fund, not to be consumed by the districts, but to keep on hand a quantity of publications, and thus relieve the offices. He spoke of the importance of our ministers' being more thorough in their work, and feeling a responsibility to see that those brought into the truth under their labors feel an interest in every branch of present truth. His remarks were followed by others.

It was moved and supported that the Chair appoint a committee of three to confer with the Conference Committee in devising some method to remove the present indebtedness, and establish a reserve tract fund; also to present other business which should come before the meeting. Brn. Morton, Armstrong, and Moore were appointed as said committee.

The meeting adjourned to call of Chair.

SECOND MEETING.

The second meeting was held at 2:30 P. M. Prayer by Bro. Babcock.

The Committee on Resolutions reported as follows:—

Whereas, God has greatly blessed the distribution of our publications in awakening an interest in the truth in all parts of this Conference, and

Whereas, by this effort an indebtedness has been incurred which not only cripples our efforts in the missionary work, but helps to embarrass the Publishing Association, and

Whereas, The increase of membership in the tract society has not been in proportion to the increase of church members, therefore

Resolved, That we acknowledge the hand of God in the prosperity which has hitherto attended our missionary efforts, and further

Resolved, That we consider the T. and M. work of great importance, and hence urge the necessity of all our brethren, sisters, and children joining the society; and that we recommend our ministers, tract society officers, and all who are interested, to co-operate in obtaining members.

Resolved, That a reserve tract fund of $1500 be immediately raised to relieve present embarrassment in the tract society and at the offices of publication, said money to be raised on or before the time of our camp-meeting, and to be raised in the following manner:—

1. Let all who are able to do so give $100 each; 2. Let each church society which has not paid the one-third be responsible for a sum equivalent thereto, or for $2 00 for each member of the tract society; the above sums not to be credited to any district as a surplus tract fund, but to be used to liquidate present indebtedness and establish a reserve fund.

Resolved, That we approve of the plan of each member's paying to the tract society a sum equal to one-third his tithe in addition to the tithe; and we recommend that each district pay a sum equivalent to one-third of the tithe, quarterly.

Resolved, That we consider the writings of Sister White to be of great importance; and we recommend that a special effort be made by our ministers and tract society officers, to have each church or company purchase them for a circulating library, and encourage the reading of the same by all the friends of the cause.

On the adoption of the above resolutions, five men immediately responded as one-hundred-dollar men, and $300 of this money was paid down. Others offered to do the same, but their offer was refused, the brethren deciding that they were not able.

THIRD MEETING.

The third meeting, at nine A. M. Monday morning, was opened with prayer by Bro. Grant.

The following resolution was offered:—

Resolved, That we recommend our Conference Committee to suggest to our ministers certain districts as special fields of labor, the ministers to co-operate with the tract society officers in bringing up the cause in said districts on all points of present truth, and to seek in such districts their new fields of labor.

This was followed by remarks by many of the ministers present, after which it was unanimously adopted. A conference with the ministers was held, and the resolution was carried into effect to the satisfaction of all. The meeting adjourned sine die; the ministers started for their respective fields, and the brethren to their homes, all feeling that it was one of the most successful meetings of the kind ever held in Minnesota. H. Grant, Pres.

Nettie L. Grant, Sec.