An Appeal to the Ministers of Minnesota.
By H. Grant
We have long felt the necessity of more thorough and systematic labor to bring our churches up to that state of spirituality and general interest in the work that gives a healthy growth, but have not known just how to bring it about. At our Hutchinson meeting steps were taken which we hope will facilitate this matter much. God has wonderfully blessed the missionary effort, so that Sabbath-keepers are very numerous in the State. Companies are being raised up everywhere. Many of these companies are very weak, but are being thoroughly established in the work of present truth. As a portion of the State has now been assigned to each minister, who has under his charge several churches, we wish you to notice certain things which should receive especial attention. It is expected that all the tract society officers and leading brethren will co-operate with you. 1. The Sabbath-school. The Sabbath-school interests should be looked after in every church. It is expected that each family will attend. Every child six years old and upward should be present every Sabbath when it is at all consistent. Each Sabbath-school should have a club of from ten to fifty copies of the Instructor, according to its size; and the lessons contained in it and the monthly Supplement should be used. The question book, “Lessons for Little Ones,” is just adapted to the smallest children. The parents should see that the children have their lessons before coming to the school. Where they can afford it, maps should be used. The smallest set on cloth consists of a map of Sinai and the journeyings of the children of Israel, price $5.00, and two maps of Palestine, one of the country in Old Testament times, and the other at the time of Christ, at $3.00 each. An occasional ten minutes’ exercise from these maps, especially when the lesson pertains to some Bible country, river, or mountain represented on the maps, will add much to the interest of the school. We hope that in less than one year these maps and the “Song Anchor” will be used in each Sabbath-school in the State. The work should not stop when the machinery is perfect. Remember that the object of the Sabbath-school is not merely to interest youthful minds in Bible truths, but to get their hearts converted to God, and none should feel that their work is done until this is the case, and others, through the influence of the Sabbath-school, are being brought to the knowledge of the truth. 2. Circulating Libraries. The writings of Sister White should be more extensively read by our brethren and sisters. The position she occupies among us is made use of as a weapon to prejudice minds against the truth, and some become disaffected by the falsehoods circulated by designing individuals concerning her and her work. Her writings, therefore, should be extensively read, that their true character may be understood. It is not enough for one or two families to have them, even if they are willing to lend them. The church should own them. Not being private property, individuals will be more free to take them. Each church should own these books as a circulating library, and they should be paid for by donations outside the tract fund. 3. The Tract and Missionary Society. The interests of this work should be looked after in all its phases. (1) A club of Signs should be taken in each church. A vigilant society should be organized or a committee appointed, so that each week the Signs will be sent to interested readers. Already this plan has proved successful in leading many to embrace the truth. (2) Each S. D. Adventist should become a member of the tract society. See resolution passed at the meeting held at Hutchinson. (3) It is very important that every family of our brethren and sisters have the REVIEW, Good Health, and the Instructor. We understand that Eld. Lee was not able to induce a single family to apostatize with him among the Swedes that had been constant readers of these periodicals and the writings of Sister White. Many who knew nothing of this work were thrown into confusion by him; and now, having lost confidence in him, they are at a loss what to believe and where to go. Do not, by any means, neglect this part of the work. If any are too poor to subscribe for the papers, let others of the same church pay for them. An interest should be aroused in every department of this work,—foreign missions, the College, Dime Tabernacle, Oakland meeting-house, etc. To accomplish this will require much personal labor. Every family should be visited, all its members conversed with upon their spiritual interests, and the interest they are taking in the various departments of the work. It is not necessary that you should spend much time at each house; but come right to the point, talk and pray with the family, then go to another. It is not expected that one man can do all this work, but the proper persons should be encouraged to help. Men of good influence and discreet women can assist in this branch of the work. When you enter a new field, do not leave your work until systematic benevolence is established, our periodicals are taken, a successful Sabbath-school is in operation, a tract and missionary society is organized, and the church is in good working order. And the principles of health reform should not by any means be neglected. We have made arrangements so that the publications for sale at the Office can be had in our own State, including maps, song books, circulating libraries, Testimony No. 28, and everything needed for our churches and the missionary work. All orders should be addressed to Miss Nettie Grant, Medford, Minn. H. GRANT, Pres. Minn. Conf.