General Quarterly Meeting of the Mich. T. & M. Society by E. H. Root; Mary Gaskill

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 27, 1875

General Quarterly Meeting of the Mich. T. & M. Society.

By E. H. Root; Mary Gaskill

According to appointment, the third meeting for the year was held at Potterville, May 8, 9, 1875. Bro. and sister White, who had just returned from California in health and good spirits, were with us. Bro. E. H. Root, D. W. Lamson and E. H. Jones, with a very good representation of directors and members of the Society from different parts of the State were also present.

FIRST SESSION.

The first session, Sunday, 9 o'clock A. M., opened with prayer by the President. Report of last meeting was read and accepted. The secretary's report was as follows:— No. of families visited, 736; No. of letters written, 143; No. of periodicals distributed, 859; No. of subscribers obtained for the REVIEW, 19; for the Instructor, 44; for the Reformer, 336; for the Voice, 1089; whole number of subscribers obtained for these periodicals, 1488; pages of tracts and pamphlets distributed by the different districts, 180,715; value $174.40.

The following is the financial report:— Amount on hand at the commencement of quarter, $186.18 Receipts during quarter, $549.29 Total, $735.47 Expenditures, $1296.88 Leaving a deficit of $561.41

Following the reading of this report interesting remarks were made by Bro. Root pertaining to the work of our people at the present time, after which the question was asked whether ministers belonging to Tract Societies should report families visited and tracts distributed. The answer was that Tract Societies were more especially calculated to bring the lay members into a position for work, yet, that we might make a closer estimate of what our people were doing, we should be glad to accept of reports from our brethren in the ministry. The question of members from one district applying for tracts for distribution from another district under circumstances which make it difficult for them to gain access to their own library was also brought before the Society, but was not decided.

Following these questions, Bro. White made important remarks as to the propriety of accepting names for our periodicals without some evidence that they would be read with care and interest besides the customary “yes” on being asked, which is often said through courtesy, without giving the subject further thought. He said that what was once an experiment is now a demonstration, and that success is certain with proper effort in reaching the minds and hearts of the people. Something invested would act as a stimulus for reading, would be the means of getting them interested, and also help to sustain the paper. With an appeal to the Society to act upon this plan, the meeting adjourned until afternoon.

SECOND SESSION,

Opened with prayer by Bro. White. The subject of raising money to pay subscriptions for the Voice of Truth and Reformer sent to persons by the Society, was considered; and a committee composed of directors and officers present was appointed to apportion the fund to be raised according to resolution passed at our last meeting. This concluded our pleasant and profitable meeting.

Bro. and sister White gave each two solemn and instructive discourses which, if heeded, will prepare us for greater usefulness, and teach us how to better work in the cause we love.

E. H. ROOT, Pres.

MARY GASKILL, Sec.