The Result of Systematic Effort in the New England Tract Society by Stephen Nelson Haskell

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 10, 1872

The Result of Systematic Effort in the New England Tract Society.

By Stephen Nelson Haskell

By comparing the list of the present subscribers (Aug. 1) for our periodicals with that of Jan. 1, including two quarters, it appears that by the effort of the entire Conference, thirty-four names have been added to the REVIEW list, one hundred and eighty-seven to the Reformer, and seventy-three to the Instructor. Of this number of subscribers, the reports show that thirty-two for the REVIEW, sixty-seven for Instructor, and one hundred and seventy-six for Reformer, have been obtained by members of the Tract Society. Then when it is considered that only sixty-eight reports were received last quarter, and about the same number this, the utility of the tract and missionary operation may be fully seen. Thus this Conference, numbering over three hundred, all professedly interested in the circulation of our periodicals, have obtained but two subscribers for the REVIEW, six for Instructor, and eleven for Reformer, excepting what has been accomplished by about sixty-eight working members of the Society, although the number of those who do not belong to the Society, and those who, for some reason, have not reported who do belong to it, is about two hundred and fifty.

From the above, it will be seen that less than one-fourth of the members of the Conference who are active members of the Tract and Missionary Society have accomplished more than fourteen times the amount of labor by way of obtaining subscribers, within the last six months in this Conference than has been accomplished by those who have not engaged in such systematic labor. Then again, our Tract Society, numbering one hundred and seventy-six, allowing one out of every five to be feeble, or of those who are so situated that they cannot put forth the successful efforts in obtaining subscribers for our periodicals, should the balance of the members labor with the same success that has characterized the sixty-eight above alluded to, the list of subscribers for our periodicals would be increased eleven hundred and seventy-six in a year. This is making no allowance for additional members to the Society, and our becoming more successful by experience. No doubt some of the subscribers thus obtained, would never renew their subscription; but the actual gain must be quite large. But simply the addition to the number of subscribers is of the least importance. The benefit of the experience derived by the individuals thus employed would be of inestimable value to themselves. Secondly, the fact that some of those subscribers would doubtless be led to take such steps as to be saved in the kingdom of God as a result of such labor is sufficient to arouse the most careless and inactive Christian to such a state of consecration that with a godly zeal they could prosecute this work successfully. These facts with reference to the Tract and Missionary Society of New England are true of all others.

There is no time for inactivity in a cause of such priceless value as that in which we are engaged. We have no time to lose. Time is short, and what is done must be done quickly. Neither should individuals engage in missionary labor in a reckless manner. Our general deportment, as well as our words, impress those with whom we come in contact. Therefore we should ever realize that eternal decisions may be made upon impressions received from our efforts; yet our salvation and the salvation of others depend upon the course we pursue in the cause of God.

What shall be done the next six months by the Tract Societies, by way of this missionary work? Every reading room in each Conference, where they will accept it, should have the Reformer, and, if they will read it, the REVIEW. There are hundreds of hotels that would subscribe for the Reformer were they visited by proper persons, and some would take a number of copies. Tracts should be distributed wherever there is a mind to investigate. Autumn is approaching. Fireside missionaries are called for; men and women of piety. Those who cannot devote their laboring hours to missionary work, can call on their neighbors and friends in the evening, and introduce our publications and periodicals. Much can be accomplished in this manner. Send them to your friends at a distance. Thus let the work move on, and in the reaping time it will be seen that our lives were not in vain. S. N. HASKELL.