Suggestions Relating to the Distribution of Tracts.
By W. H. Littlejohn
For the past few months the attention of our people has been largely directed to the subject of organized effort for the distribution of our publications. It has now become manifest that the blessing of God has, in a good degree, attended the creation of tract societies for this purpose, as they now exist in many of our churches in different parts of the field. It remains, therefore, that the system already adopted should be perfected, in order that it may prove of the greatest service possible under the circumstances. A reflecting mind will readily discover the fact that this can only be done while we continue to keep before us two objective points of action. First, we must secure the circulation of our books, tracts, and periodicals, on a very large scale. Secondly, when an interest has been awakened by these, it must be followed up until those who have a desire to investigate shall have had the full benefit of all the resources at our command. So far as the first of these objects is concerned, it is obvious that it can be secured in one, and in but one, way. A people already numbering not far from fifteen thousand persons, with the advantages which we now possess for rapid and cheap publication, engaged in the advocacy of great, clear, and important truths, could, if suitably impressed with the magnitude and sacredness of the work in which we are employed, in process of time, flood the country with a mass of printed matter, which ultimately must stir the public mind to its profoundest depths. This, however, with all the advantages which we now enjoy, or even with surroundings the most favorable possible, could not be a work of weeks or months. It will demand both time and labor to that extent that we shall find it difficult, if not impossible, to put forth the protracted and patient effort which it will demand. It would be comparatively easy to awaken among us a momentary enthusiasm on this subject, and to produce brief and spasmodic action; but this will not answer our purpose. It will be necessary that we lay our plans with reference to the extent of the work to be accomplished, and the nature of those to be employed therein. We must have a system by which associated action can be secured, and at the same time rendered permanent. That this may be done, it will be necessary that each organization should have within itself the elements of perpetual life. The meetings of the various societies must be sustained independent of outside aid; and in order that this be done successfully, the exercises on such occasions must be rendered both attractive and profitable. Not only so, they must also be of frequent occurrence. Perhaps, under ordinary circumstances, it would be well if all the members could be assembled for the purpose of reporting labor, and obtaining a fresh supply of publications, as often as once in each month. But those who are acquainted with the operations of the human mind in such things, will readily see that these objects, except when the reports were of an unusually interesting character, would not insure the presence of any considerable portion of the members, for any great period of time. But as these ends are indispensable, it will be necessary that some plan be devised by which they can be secured through the voluntary and interested action of those concerned. In order to accomplish this, we have, in this place, hit upon the following device, which we think will prove available: The regular meetings of the Society are appointed to occur on a stated evening of each month. The brethren being assembled, we listen to the reports of the members respecting the work accomplished, and the results secured since the last gathering. Then follows the reading of selections (generally short), by an individual appointed for this purpose, which have been chosen by the executive committee, from those articles which the different members have handed in, as in their judgment containing matters of interest and profit, and having a bearing upon the general subject of religion, and the present truth in particular. Following the reading of such matters, comes the distribution of tracts for future use. It will be observed that in this way we find enough to attend to, to occupy the evening fully; and there can be little question that, from the mass of reading material which comes under the notice of the members of a given church, enough can be found of the character desired to abundantly repay any individual member for the effort necessarily put forth in order to be present. The opportunity, also, is an excellent one for the reading of much in our own publications, respecting which the minds of our people themselves should be refreshed, and by which those who may be attracted to the place, though unbelievers, might, in process of time, be almost imperceptibly, and yet really, indoctrinated with our views. Nor is this all. Such an arrangement, if entered into in the various churches, and operated with discretion, would necessarily bring to the surface very many things which, when forwarded to the REVIEW Office by the readers of the different societies, might, if thought worthy, be introduced into our periodicals, and thus become of general use. As it regards the second point, of course, nothing could be said which would fully meet the requirements of every case. The subject has, however, been brought to our attention from one standpoint, and we have endeavored to meet it in a manner which, I think, will commend itself to the good judgment of all. Those of our works which can be generally circulated among the people, are necessarily small. Of course, a large portion of them are, from one point of view, lost altogether. There is also another portion of them which accomplish but a tittle of the good they might, if properly followed up. You come in contact with an individual to whom, after a brief conversation, you venture to offer a tract. It is small, and relates to some feature of our peculiar faith which it illustrates, by Scripture reference and argument, in so clear and forcible a manner that the recipient is very favorably impressed. It is not, however, elaborate enough of itself to produce permanent conviction. He is now separated from the one who handed it to him, and apparently further light upon the subject is out of the question. On the backside of the tract, however, he discerns a list of our works. Here are some, more extended in their character, which treat upon the very point to which his attention has been called. There are also many others which he would like to read, had he them in his possession. But he has not, and the idea of sending to the publishing house is practically out of the question, with nine out of ten of those who find themselves in this predicament. To meet this contingency, we proceed as follows: To the back of each tract we attach, by paste or gum-arabic, a slip containing the following words: “Persons desiring to read any of the publications in the accompanying list can obtain them for that purpose, without charge, by applying to any member of the Book and Tract Society of Seventh-day Adventists in Allegan.” These slips, when published by the thousand, can be obtained at a trifling cost, and we expect that, more particularly in the region round about us, they will furnish material aid in getting our views before the people, since it will be a comparatively easy matter for persons who have an inclination to read, and have not the means with which to purchase, as well as those who, like the masses of men, are averse to the use of pen and ink, to secure what they deserve by simply making a request of individuals who have already, by printed statement, declared themselves to be willing to grant their petition. Such are the suggestions which we offer, and we are convinced that, so far as the last is concerned, its utility is beyond question; and that the reading, if judiciously managed, in the use of short and well-selected extracts or articles, will furnish the very means necessary to make the frequent and stated meetings of our various societies seasons which will be characterized by features of interest such as will insure their continuance. Allegan, Mich., Dec. 13, 1871.