General Meeting of the Michigan State T. and M. Society by Joseph Harvey Waggoner

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jan 18, 1883

General Meeting of the Michigan State T. and M. Society.

By Joseph Harvey Waggoner

A GENERAL meeting of the Michigan State Tract and Missionary Society was held in Greenville, commencing Dec. 29, at 10:30 A. M. It was well attended. Most of the ministers of the

Conference, and seven of the eleven directors, were present. The president of the society read the appointment calling the meeting, and the report of the State meeting was read. By request, Eld. Haskell occupied the time of this morning meeting in general remarks which were calculated to awaken an interest in the tract and missionary work. He spoke of the rise and progress of the T. and M. Society and its work, and of his recent visit to Europe. These remarks were of deep interest. He also spoke of plans for placing certain of our bound books in the public libraries, and for a more extensive circulation of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES.

The second meeting convened at 2:30 P. M. After some general remarks on the order and work of the society, Eld. Butler spoke at considerable length on the duties of the different officers of the T. and M. Society; on the necessity of having men and women educated and trained to fill these offices; on the necessity of co-operation between the ministers and the officers of the society; and of the value and efficiency of our organization, and the advisability of retaining and working upon our present plan.

The addresses of the morning and afternoon meetings were timely, and all felt that this day was profitably spent. At the request of the president, an expression was taken of the sense of the meeting in regard to the remarks of Eld. Butler, when there was an almost unanimous consent to the views he had presented. As the Sabbath was approaching, the meeting adjourned to first-day morning.

The third meeting convened first-day morning at 8:30. Eld. Haskell spoke of the plan of using the SIGNS before tent-meetings. New England, New York, California, Iowa, Nebraska, and several other Conferences, did so last year, and it was attended with good results. The Conferences paid for the papers. The places of meeting were thus canvassed and furnished with the SIGNS for several weeks, by which means an interest to hear the truth was created, and the Supplements with the SIGNS did the advertising for the meetings. People who became interested frequently paid for the papers received. He also spoke on canvassing for Good Health. A committee on resolutions was appointed, consisting of Elds. Butler, Waggoner, and Littlejohn.

The fourth meeting was held at 2:30 P. M. Business was now introduced by resolutions, in the following order:—

1. Resolved, That inasmuch as it has been found necessary to have a reserve fund to successfully carry on the operations of the Tract and Missionary Society, we recommend that the sum of $5,000, be raised as a reserve fund in the State of Michigan.

This was spoken to by Elds. Haskell and Littlejohn, and Bro. Carpenter. Eld. Waggoner spoke of the recent campaign in California, and of the great benefit of the reserve fund, without which they would have been greatly hindered and crippled in their work. Adopted by unanimous vote.

2. Whereas, We believe that in union there is strength, and that unity of faith and spirit and action is inculcated in the third angel's message, and in the gifts of the Spirit which have accompanied it (Eph. 4:11-13); therefore—

Resolved, That we disapprove of any important changes being made in the working of the society unless these changes are accepted and recommended by the International Tract Society.

This resolution was discussed at considerable length; some who have been in doubt on some points in the organization of the society expressed themselves satisfied, and the resolution was adopted.

3. Resolved, That we recommend that the directors visit the several churches in their districts, and see that they are kept supplied with such publications as they need in their work; and that they also see that district depositories are kept, from which the church supplies may be drawn.

This was spoken to by Brn. Haskell, Root, Carpenter, Butler, Waggoner, Sanborn, Littlejohn, Sisley, Miller, and Daniels. At first, objections were offered, but after examination, it was adopted without dissent.

4. Whereas, It will often be found necessary to fill orders in the absence of the directors, and it is necessary that accounts at all times be accurately kept; therefore—

Resolved, That it is the sense of this meeting that district secretaries are necessary to the prompt and efficient working of the society.

This point having been quite thoroughly considered at a previous meeting, the resolution was adopted with a few remarks.

5. Resolved, That whenever a tent is to be pitched in any locality, we recommend that tent-labor be preceded by a judicious canvass with the SIGNS, as this has been found to be the most efficient means of working up a healthy and intelligent interest to hear the preaching of the truth.

After a few remarks of approval, it was carried.

Resolved, That we express our sense of the great importance of the work of canvassing, not only as a means of circulating valuable literature, but of developing talent for usefulness in other branches of our work; and that we urge upon our ministers and the officers of our societies the importance of searching out those who may be instructed in this work, and who may thereby become efficient laborers in the cause.

After remarks by Brn. Butler and King, this resolution was adopted.

The fifth meeting was held at 6 P. M. The consideration of resolutions was resumed.

7. Whereas, A resolution was passed by the General Conference urging a revival of the interest on the subject of health reform among Seventh-day Adventists, and a series of Temperance Lessons will be commenced in the January number of Good Health; therefore—

Resolved, That we recommend that renewed efforts be put forth to extend the circulation of Good Health, and that canvassers are hereby requested to engage in this work.

Spoken to by Elds. Haskell, Littlejohn, Miller, and Waggoner. Carried.

8. Resolved, That we express our grateful pleasure at the success of our canvassers in circulating "Thoughts on Daniel and the Revelation;" and we recommend that this work be still carried on and increased, as this has proven to be an excellent work with which to canvass, as well as an important means of getting the truth before the world. Adopted.

9. Whereas, The cause of the third angel's message is one, and the different branches are but parts of the same work; therefore—

Resolved, That it is the duty of the ministers and the officers of the missionary society to labor in unison, and that the ministers ought, by all possible means, to exert their influence in favor of the operations of the society.

Spoken to by Eld. Haskell. Eld. Butler read a portion of the Testimony on this subject which is found in the tract containing the Constitution of the T. and M. Society. Eld. Waggoner also spoke in its favor, when the meeting adjourned till after preaching.

The sixth meeting was held at 9 P. M. Resolution 9 was further spoken to by Brn. W. C. Sisley, Ostrander, Carpenter, Daniels, and Fargo, when it was adopted.

10. Whereas, The Testimony of the Spirit has taught us that the SIGNS OF THE TIMES was established in the direct providence of God, and experience has proved that it is an efficient means of spreading the light of present truth to the world—of carrying the light where the minister cannot possibly go; therefore—

Resolved, That we urge upon our canvassers and missionary workers the necessity of making vigorous efforts to increase the circulation of the SIGNS as a pioneer missionary paper. Carried.

11. Resolved, That the ministers and directors are hereby requested and directed to bring these resolutions before the next quarterly meetings, to impress their importance upon the minds of the brethren and sisters, that they may be carried into effect without unnecessary delay. Adopted.

A vote of thanks was cheerfully given to the church of Greenville for their kind hospitality in entertaining the brethren and sisters who attended the meeting. This was well deserved.

Remarks were made by Eld. Haskell and others on the necessity of district secretaries receiving instruction. Remarks were made, especially by Elds. Haskell and Waggoner, on increasing the circulation of the Review and Instructor.

Eld. Waggoner having, by request, given a discourse on Justification by Faith; the same subject presented by request at Rome, a motion was unanimously carried requesting him to prepare the same for publication in pamphlet form.

On the ninth resolution Bro. Butler read at some length from the Testimony on "Importance of Missionary Work," found in the tract, "Constitution of the T. and M. Society." Every minister and officer of the societies should procure this tract, and study this Testimony. On "The Duty of Ministers" we find therein as follows:—

"There must be prayerful labor with those who embrace the truth, until they shall be convicted of their sins and shall seek God and be converted. Then they should be instructed in regard to the claims of God upon tithes and offerings. They must learn that the tithing system is binding upon God's people in these last days, as truly as it was upon ancient Israel. The tract and missionary work should be presented before them."

"I have been shown that many do not take hold of the missionary work, because the matter has not been presented before them by the ministers who have labored in their behalf. Those ministers have failed in their duty, and, as the result, hundreds are idle who might be at work had they been more perfectly instructed."

The matter of these extracts, and others which were read, called out many remarks from ministers present, and from directors and others, concerning this failure. It seemed to be the general feeling that therein lay one material cause of the declension of the cause of present truth in Michigan. A deep and lasting impression was evidently made, and we confidently look for good results from this investigation, and the resolutions made in regard to it.

As a whole, the meeting was an interesting and a successful one. It would have been still better had more time been afforded, as another half day was needed to do full justice to the business presented. But all felt encouraged, an excellent spirit prevailed throughout, and we believe it ushers in a better state of things for the cause in Michigan. J. H. W.