To the Tract and Missionary Societies.
By S. N. Haskell
Thirty Thousand Subscribers Wanted Immediately.
HOW THE NUMBER CAN BE OBTAINED.
1. Upon receiving this notice, let the presidents of the various Tract Societies notify their several directors how many names are expected from their district, and then let the director see that they are obtained at once and forwarded to the State Tract Society secretaries. 2. Let there be canvassers appointed for this purpose in each district. The directors should have control of the canvassing in their respective districts, and should lead out in it. There is no reason why this work should be done wholly by the brethren; there are sisters who would be successful canvassers. Those canvassing should be individuals of good deportment, such as fear God, and will make a good impression upon those with whom they come in contact. Let them visit public reading rooms and respectable families. Show the persons you call upon The Voice of Truth and Health Reformer, and, where they would be interested to read them, say to them that you propose to send them the paper one year on trial. If the individuals themselves propose to pay for it, always give them the privilege of paying full price. The reduction of price is made to Tract Societies and individuals when they themselves pay for the periodicals to be sent to others. Neighborhoods, villages, and cities, can thus be canvassed within six weeks’ time from the receipt of this notice and any Conference where the Tract Societies are organized, can furnish the desired number of names. 3. Do all your business through your State Tract Society secretaries. Send them the names and addresses, and they will forward a copy of them to the Office. Then those at the Office will return to the State Tract Society secretary a statement of the business. This system will save much perplexity and many mistakes that might otherwise occur. About one year ago, there was a call made for 10,000 names, and there was a ready response of 15,000. Then the Tract Societies were in their infancy, many of them were scarcely organized, yet the names came in from every part of the country. Also to many parts of Europe, New Zealand, and India, were the periodicals sent. Then the Tract Societies were weak financially, but a small fund was on hand in the various Tract Societies. But figures show that since that time the Tract Societies have invested in this enterprise, placing reading matter into libraries and in sending out tracts and pamphlets, about $15,000. As the result of this move, hundreds have embraced the Sabbath in this and other nations. Men of influence, including professors of colleges, prominent teachers in seminaries, missionaries, local pastors, and professional men in both church and State, have stepped out upon present truth. Now we call for the largest strike that has ever been made for the obtaining of subscribers for the Health Reformer and The Voice of Truth, which will be a pioneer paper to go into new fields. We want names for not less than one year. The Health Reformer will cost the Tract Societies 50 cts, and The Voice of Truth one dollar. We want 15,000 subscribers on each of these periodicals. We suggest the following number from the Conferences here mentioned as being about the respective proportion. Michigan, which is more than one third the strength of all the organized body of S. D. Adventists this side of the Rocky Mountains 10,000 names—5000 on the Health Reformer, and 5000 on The Voice of Truth; Iowa, 4700; N. Y., 2700; Wisconsin, 2700; Illinois, 2000; Minnesota, 2400; Ohio, 2000; New England, 1600; Indiana, 800; Vermont, 600; Missouri and Kansas, 300; Maine, 200. This is not to take the place of scattered individuals sending the Voice or Reformer to their friends. We say to such, Go on, and send in your names and 50 cents for the Health Reformer and $1.00 for The Voice of Truth. Neither is it designed to interfere with those that have moved out as canvassers on the Health Reformer and hygienic works on premiums. But this is to be an effort of the Tract Societies at this especial time. And while we recommend the canvassing to be done in each district under the supervision of the directors, it does not prevent any individual member taking a part in it, and sending the periodicals to their friends far and near. All are invited to take part in this matter. The expense must be met by donations to the Tract Societies by its members and others. Nearly, if not quite, all of the various Societies in the Conferences have sufficient funds to a large extent to do this, but the fund must be kept good. There will, therefore, be an especial call for donations in each Tract Society to meet the expenses of this work in each Conference. Then at your general quarterly meeting, when the board of directors meet, they will apportion to each district what will properly belong to it to pay. Let no Society hold back, thinking that the expense can not be met. There are individuals in each Conference that will consider it a privilege to pay from one hundred to five hundred dollars rather than to see an enterprise like this prove a failure. Then all, even to the children, will bring in their offerings and cast them into the treasury, and thus help make up this sum. The time has come for action. What has hitherto been done has been simply getting ready to do something. Let there be a move made here that will tell on the ranks of Satan. Let the truth find its way into every respectable reading room in this country and in different parts of the world. The cloud is arising, and along the whole line there should be a move forward. Onward is our watchword! And we are confident that each Conference Tract Society will fill its quota of names. We expect to see this all accomplished within six weeks from the time this notice reaches the Tract Societies. The Office will open accounts with the Tract Societies for three months, until their next general quarterly meeting, when this money will be expected. There is, therefore, nothing in the way before the Tract Societies. We shall be anxious to see what Conference first fills up its list of names. In obtaining names for the periodicals, we positively object to a reckless gathering up of names anywhere. But find those who will be interested to read. Those who are anxious for light are everywhere. The following from the Signs of the Times, written by Bro. White, is very much to the point. 1. “The agent who obtains them (the names) should have some evidence at least that the persons would candidly examine Bible subjects
2. The agent must obtain the request or at least the consent (either by word of mouth or by letter), from persons to become subscribers, and must so report.
3. The agent should preserve a list of all the names sent to this Office, and should feel in duty bound to visit the persons or write to them as often as circumstances will admit, and learn whether they read the periodicals sent with any degree of interest, and if they would like to have them continued, and if they wish to pay the subscription price, or donate to its publications. Here is a cross to take up, an excellent field of missionary labor. Here is a chance for some of our people who are inclined to exclusiveness, to move out and become broader in their feelings and in their labors.”
When the quota for any Conference is filled on either the Health Reformer or The Voice of Truth, the Secretary of your Tract Society will notify the one sending names. We expect this matter will be engaged in with such energy that by January, 1875, the work will all be closed up, and not drag along six months into next year. Prompt, decided, cheerful action is what is wanted.