A Word to the Tract Societies.
By Stephen N. Haskell
A FEW weeks since, there was a call for 10,000 names of those who would be interested in reading one volume of the REVIEW and Reformer on trial. In some Conferences, their proportion of the number has already been made up. There was a necessity for this being done in a very short time, from the fact that the trial volume of the REVIEW commenced Dec. 16, 1873; and with the commencement of the volume, it was expected there would commence a series of articles that would be of especial interest to the reader. The new volume of the Reformer also commenced with January, 1874. The names sent in have been mostly for the REVIEW. We hardly think the Reformer has had all that attention in this move which, perhaps, it should have had, judging from the number of names there has been sent in for it. The Reformer is furnished on trial to the Tract Societies the same as the REVIEW. There are some reasons why the Reformer should have especial attention. 1. Although not denominational, yet in some respects, its teachings lie at the very foundation of the Christian religion. 2. It presents health from a moral stand-point, showing that the practice of holy men of old and the teachings of the Holy Scriptures are in harmony with the principles of hygiene. 3. It is well known that there exists in the minds of many a prejudice against a practical belief in the Holy Scriptures. This arises from the supposition that the Bible is either silent or in opposition to the subject of hygiene. The facts brought out in the Health Reformer show the contrary and remove this prejudice. 4. The journal is acknowledged by thousands of intelligent men and women, who have no sympathy with our religious views, to be well worthy the patronage of all. 5. From the high moral tone and general character of the journal, it becomes, in some respects, a handmaid to the Christian religion, showing the ruinous effects upon soul and body of those habits which are contrary to the laws of our being. It has often been said, and is well worthy of repeating, that every respectable reading room in the country should receive the monthly visits of this valuable journal. We would, therefore, especially call the attention of the Tract Societies to the Health Reformer; not to the neglect of the REVIEW, or even to slacken the hand in reference to obtaining subscribers for it. But now as we have already passed six weeks of the first number of the REVIEW in the present volume, and we have only reached the second number of the Health Reformer in the present volume, we would recommend to those Conferences which have not, as yet, filled up the number of names they wished to send in for these periodicals, not to neglect the Reformer. There are many families where the Reformer would accomplish far more good for the present than the REVIEW. There is not a single Conference that cannot fill the list of names assigned to it. See article in REVIEW, Vol. 43, No. 2. We here recommend the re-reading of that article; and let those Conferences which have not filled their quota of names make the Reformer a specialty for the next three weeks. The offer of the Reformer on trial to the Tract Societies will last until March. We know there is no lack on the part of the brethren and sisters when they once become interested in the matter. The secretary of your Tract Society will notify the various directors as soon as their respective numbers are made up. Let every member take hold of this work immediately. Think up your friends, call on your neighbors, visit the respectable reading rooms, and send your names to your secretary at once, and he will forward them to the Office. Do not wait until you raise your funds. There will be no trouble about that. There are hundreds who will be anxious to sustain such a worthy enterprise as this. The cause is rising in all parts of the field, and scores of men and women stand ready to embrace the truth as soon as their attention is called to it. “Why stand ye here all the day idle?” are words that come home with force to men and women to whom God has graciously committed his truth. Because “thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord,” are words addressed to those, and only those, who are faithful in the discharge of their duty. “Go ye also into the vineyard”; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive” are words from the highest authority, addressed to all who are desirous for a home in the kingdom of God.