Quarterly Meeting of the New England Missionary and Tract Society by Stephen N. Haskell; M. L. Huntley

Quarterly Meeting of the New England Missionary and Tract Society.

By Stephen N. Haskell; M. L. Huntley

AGREEABLE to appointment, the N. E. M. and T. Society met at South Lancaster, Mass., May 5, 1872, at 9½ o'clock, A. M. After the opening of the meeting, remarks were made by Eld. Haskell relative to local organizations, and the importance of directing missionary labor in a proper manner. The report of the last meeting being called for, was read and accepted. After some remarks, the report of missionary labor during the last quarter was read, which showed that the distribution of publications had been about as follows:—

Reports received, 68. Libraries supplied with Life Incidents, Life of Bates, and Bible Sabbath, 78. Total distribution of tracts and pamphlets, 58,292 pages. New subscribers obtained and copies furnished, REVIEW, 13; Instructor, 56; Reformer, 74. Number of sick visited, 100; families, 125. Members added during the quarter, 15. Whole number of members, 153. The R. I. district report was read, showing the total distribution of tracts and pamphlets in that district to have been about 19,050 pages. Number of sick visited, 29; families, 47. The Vigilant Missionary Society reported 125 letters written and 57 received. Tracts distributed, several thousand pages.

The financial report showed the standing of the society to be as follows:—

WIDOW AND ORPHAN FUND.

Cash on hand Feb., 1872, $93.77 Received on donations, 8.72 Total, $102.49 Paid for board, &c., $23.00 Cash on hand, 79.49 Total, $102.49

DELINQUENT FUND.

Cash on hand Feb., 1872, $0.52 Received on donations, 84.75 Total, $85.27 Paid on periodicals, $77.45 Cash on hand, 7.82 Total, $85.27

TRACT SOCIETY.

Cash on hand Feb., 1872, $111.36 Rec'd for membership, 15.00 “ “ donations, 312.28 “ “ sale of books, 8.75 “ “ widow and orphan fund, 93.77 Total, $541.16 Paid for publications, $193.25 “ “ periodicals, 77.45. “ “ widow and orphan fund, 23.00 Incidental expenses, 23.93 Cash on hand, 223.53 Total, $541.16

The benefit of districting Conferences was then considered after which a committee of three was appointed to re-arrange, and further district the New England Conference. Bro. A. W. Smith, T. Gould, and C. K. Farnsworth, were named as said committee. Personal reports being called for, brethren from R. I. and other parts of the Conference responded by interesting remarks and such items of experience as showed the importance and beneficial results of missionary labor. Adjourned to 2½ P. M.

At 2½ P. M., the Society met again. The committee on districting the Conference reported as follows:

District No. 1, to embrace Rhode Island and the eastern part of Connecticut. District No. 2, Boston, Dartmouth, Lancaster, Haverhill, Mass., Manchester, N. H., and North Berwick, Me. District No. 3, New Ipswich, Blakeville, Peterboro, Greenfield, and Wilton, N. H. District No. 4, Washington, Cornish, and vicinity.

They also recommended that Bro. A. F. Ball, of Washington, N. H., be appointed secretary of this district, and sister F. A. Buzzell of New Ipswich, N. H., secretary of district No. 3. The church at Amherst, N. H., not being represented was recommended to join district No. 4.

The report being accepted, each item was acted upon and received a unanimous vote in the affirmative.

The propriety of buying the South Lancaster camp ground was discussed and highly recommended, nearly four hundred dollars being pledged for this purpose, should it be thought advisable to buy it. The subject of an Educational Society was then introduced, and the wants of our people in this respect was laid before those present, when quite a number of shares were taken. The health and dress reforms also received considerable attention, and a uniformity in dress was strongly recommended.

S. N. HASKELL, Pres. M. L. HUNTLEY, Sec.