Tract and Missionary Department by S. N. Haskell; M. L. Huntley

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 26, 1872

Tract and Missionary Department.

By S. N. Haskell; M. L. Huntley

Missionary and Tract Society of New England.

Pursuant to appointment in REVIEW, the New England Missionary and Tract Society met Nov. 10, 1872, at New Ipswich, N. H., at 9½ A. M. The meeting opened with prayer by Eld. Andrews. The report of the last meeting was read and accepted, also the report of missionary labor for the past quarter, which was as follows:

Dist. No. 1 was not represented. Dist. No. 2, number of subscribers obtained for REVIEW, 6; Instructor, 12; Reformer, 82, distribution of publications, 32,209 pages. Dist. No. 3, subscribers for Reformer, 57; distribution of publications, 5,406 pages. Dist. No. 4, subscribers for Reformer, 159; distribution of publications, 3,147 pages. Total number of subscribers obtained for REVIEW, 6; Instructor, 12; Reformer, 298; distribution of publications, 41,864 pages. Number of visits made, 97; letters written, 170. Number of members added, 11; entire number of members, 186. This is exclusive of what has been done in the R. I. district. Number of letters written by the Vigilant Missionary Society during the past quarter, 84; received, 43; visits made, 32; subscribers obtained for periodicals, 50; distribution of publications, 4,751 pages.

The annual report of the Tract Society showed the number of subscribers obtained for the REVIEW during the year to be, 71; Instructor, 101; Reformer, 558; distribution of publications, 124,762 pages; number of visits, 534; letters written, 470; number of bound books presented to libraries, 475, consisting of Life Incidents, Autobiography of Joseph Bates, and Bible Sabbath, which have been presented to every library of note within the N. E. Conference that would accept of them.

FINANCIAL REPORT FOR THE LAST QUARTER.

Amount on hand Sept. 1, ........................................ $132.11 Received for membership, ........................................ 10.00 “ on donations to tract enterprise, ......................... 183.70 “ “ “ delinquent fund, ..................................... 64.00 “ “ “ widow & orphan, ...................................... 211.25 “ “ sale of books, ............................................. 15.60 Books on hand, ........................................................ 100.00 .................................................................... $716.66 Paid for publications, ............................................... $83.89 “ on periodicals, .................................................. 13.47 “ widow & orphan fund, ......................................... 35.75 Incidental expenses, .................................................. 26.21 Books on hand last quarter, ........................................ 69.31 Amount on hand, ...................................................... 488.03 .................................................................... $716.66 Amount of receipts during year, ................................. $1033.12 Expenditures, ............................................................ 739.75

REPORT OF CAMP-MEETING EXPENSES.

Amount pledged, ...................................................... 1303.40 “ received on pledges, ......................................... 1182.55 “ “ for use of land, and receipts at stand, &c., .................................... 285.24 .................................................................. $1467.79 Total amount of receipts, ........................................ $1467.79 Paid for land, and other expenses, ........................... $1609.44 Expended more than received, ................................ 141.65 “ “ “ Pledged and Received, .......................................................... 20.80

On motion, it was voted that the Chair appoint a Committee on Nominations. Brn. L. W. Hastings, C. W. Comings, and F. A. Buzzell, were named as said Committee.

Remarks were made with reference to disbursing means from the Widow and Orphan Fund, by Eld. Haskell; also with reference to books presented to libraries, recommending that the work entitled the United States in Prophecy should be placed in libraries, in addition to those already presented. It was also recommended that efforts should be made to increase the circulation of our periodicals by introducing the Reformer into Reading Rooms, and respectable hotels, and also by sending the REVIEW upon trial for a stated time, to individuals of moral worth who may express a willingness to read it.

Remarks were also made by Eld. J. N. Andrews showing the utility of a more extensive circulation of some of our best works, including Morton's Vindication of the True Sabbath, and others; especially among ministers of other denominations.

It was then voted to raise a fund for the purpose of sending the REVIEW, as above stated, after which the sum of $56.85 was immediately pledged, the most of which was paid.

The importance of taking decided steps proportionate to increasing light on the health and dress-reform question was set forth, and the propriety of forming a Health-Reform Association considered. Adjourned for fifteen minutes.

SECOND SESSION.

Meeting opened with prayer. The Committee on Nominations reported as follows: For President, Eld. S. N. Haskell, Vice President, H. B. Stratton, Secretary, Maria L. Huntley, Treasurer, Eld. S. N. Haskell, Directors: District No. 1, A. P. Green, “ “ 2, H. B. Stratton, “ “ 3, F. A. Buzzell, “ “ 4, C. K. Farnsworth.

This report was accepted and the nominees were elected by unanimous vote.

The subject of a Health-Reform Association was again brought before the meeting, and it was voted to form such an association, and also that its officers should be those of the Tract Society. A Constitution was accordingly adopted, and thirty-three of those present gave their names as members of said Association.

S. N. Haskell, Pres. M. L. Huntley, Sec.