p. 282 | The Missionary

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, Cal. · May 7, 1885

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 11, No. 18.

The Missionary.

State Quarterly Meeting.

ACCORDING to appointment the State quarterly meeting of the California Tract Society was held Sunday, April 26, 1885. The meeting was called to order by the president, Elder S. N. Haskell. Prayer by Elder Wm. Ings. The reading of the minutes of the last session was waived, and the report of labor for quarter ending March 31, read:—

REPORT FOR QUARTER ENDING MARCH 31, 1885.

In the reading as each item was compared with that of the preceding quarter, the increase in the amount of work done was made very perceptible. Of the 930 members in the State, 54 were added during the last quarter. The increase in the number of reports returned was 131. The visits made exceeded those of last quarter by 508; and the number of letters written, which was 3,000, by 1,475. The number of subscribers obtained for the various periodicals was 476, or 278 more than was last reported. The increase in the amount of reading matter distributed was 866,278 pages; and in the periodicals circulated, 66,150.

This report is far more complete than that of any previous quarter; in the amount of work done there has been a marked increase in every respect. Although the cash receipts last quarter were unusually large they are exceeded in this report by $110.02, the whole amount received being $1,781.02. Elder Haskell spoke of the encouraging nature of the report. By relating some incidents he showed how the present system of missionary work originated, and gave some statistics of its early history, which forcibly brought to mind the rapid growth of the work.

By a comparison of previous reports it will be seen that for the last five years there has been a growing interest in the tract and missionary work in California. There have been some quarters when the increase was not so marked as others, but from quarter to quarter the reports have shown that the missionary spirit is growing. The amount of work done this quarter is equal to that of whole years during the earlier period of its organization. Another encouraging feature is that there is an interest taken in every enterprise in connection with the missionary work.

Elder Ings, who has had the general oversight of the distributor work throughout the State, reported that 160 distributors are now in use. The city mission owns seventy-three, thirty-eight of which have been placed on vessels at the port of San Francisco. The remaining eighty-seven are owned and supported by local societies and individuals. The price of the distributor is $1.50, and the estimated cost of filling once a week for a year is about $12.00. In case the SIGNS SUPPLEMENT is used instead of the SIGNS the cost will be lessened about one-half. Many of the distributors are filled daily, others twice a week, while those in more remote districts are filled but once a week. The entire number on the coast is 275. Averaging these distributors to be filled twice a week, which would be a low estimate considering the number that are filled daily, the aggregate cost of the distributors in this Conference would be $3,840, and on the Pacific Coast $6,600. When we consider that this work is performed by individuals and local societies, while at the same time the general interest of the missionary work is increasing, there is no marvel that the blessing of God attends the efforts of the people on the Pacific Coast.

Many incidents of thrilling interest were given, showing how the Lord has opened the way for the distributors to be placed in railroad depots, on board the steamers, and in hotels and factories. Several who have had frequent opportunity to notice the distributors, reported some of the good that is being accomplished by them. Elder Loughborough, who has had occasion to note the work of the distributors on board a steamer, stated that the papers and tracts are read with the greatest interest by the officers of the ship as well as by the passengers. He also noticed the care with which the reading was handled; as the distributors contained loaning matter only, all felt under obligations to replace it.

Elder McClure reported that as the result of distributor work in Arcata they have learned of one man in that vicinity who is keeping the Sabbath; and it was stated by Elder Ings that as the direct result of this work three families in Milwaukee, Oregon, have embraced the truth. At the Oakland pier, as a brother was filling the distributor, a young man requested the privilege of taking an assortment of the tracts and papers, as he said that he was soon to start for England, and such reading could not be found there. Upon another occasion a lady asked for a copy of the SIGNS; when given to her she replied that she had read that number; a second copy which was offered her, she had also read; the third was accepted. Many such incidents were cited, showing the thoroughness with which some are investigating.

Three Rivulet Societies have lately been organized in this State, at Oakland, San Francisco, and Healdsburg. Reports from different ones who have been connected with this work showed that an interest in the missionary work is being awakened among the children.

The following Committee on Resolutions was appointed by the chair: Elders J. N. Loughborough, W. C. White, and William Ings.

A second meeting was called at 2:30 P. M. After the reading of the minutes, the following resolutions were presented:—

1. WHEREAS, We have seen the hand of God in opening the way for the distributors to be placed in depots, hotels, restaurants, employment offices, &c., and knowing that much good has been accomplished by the means of placing our publications in the hands of the people, and as there are many places yet to be supplied; therefore Resolved, That we recommend that this branch of the work be extended as fast as means can be obtained to carry this work forward in our large cities, and that we invite those having means to donate sufficient for the support of one or more of these distributors. All contributions can be forwarded to the State secretary, Anna L. Ingels, Pacific Press, Oakland, Cal.

2. WHEREAS, The Spirit of God has spoken in the matter of establishing missions in our large cities, and whereas we have seen good results from the work in San Francisco and Los Angeles; therefore Resolved, That it is the sense of the body that the city work should be extended, and that we recommend that

Sacramento be entered as soon as means can be secured, and suitable persons found to carry forward the work there.

3. WHEREAS, Experience has demonstrated the utility of the distributors as a means of circulating publications on present truth, and whereas papers are more freely taken than tracts; therefore Resolved, That we approve of the four-page semi-monthly SIGNS SUPPLEMENT, and recommend its use in connection with the SIGNS and tracts in our ship and city missions, and in distributors elsewhere.

4. WHEREAS, The public libraries of our State furnish us an excellent opening for reaching many readers; therefore Resolved, That we will add to our volumes for such libraries such works as Vol. 4, "The Atonement," and the new edition of "Man's Nature and Destiny."

5. WHEREAS, There are many persons whose interest might be secured by canvassers for such books as "Thoughts on Daniel and the Revelation," and Vol. 4 of "The Great Controversy," who would not be reached by any other means; therefore Resolved, That we deem it to be our duty to make a special canvass for these works during the present season.

6. WHEREAS, There are many sisters who are meeting with good success in canvassing for SIGNS and Sunshine in the cities; therefore Resolved, That we encourage our sisters to engage in this branch of the work in those cities where the tents are to be pitched.

7. Resolved, That we hold a missionary school for three or four weeks, as soon as possible after this meeting, where instruction will be given and a practical experience can be gained, in city canvassing, holding Bible readings, and in missionary correspondence.

8. Resolved, That we recommend that Bible readings be carried on in connection with the city missions.

9. Resolved, That we approve of the plan of organizing rivulet missionary societies, and we recommend the formation of such societies, whenever practicable, among the youth and children of our respective churches.

These resolutions were acted upon separately, and unanimously adopted.

As Elder M. C. Israel is soon to sail for Australia, his resignation as director of districts Nos. 3 and 4, was presented. At a subsequent meeting of the directors, Elder A. T. Jones was appointed to fill this vacancy.

A map of the world was presented, showing the relation that Australia and the surrounding islands sustain to other parts of the civilized world. The extent of the influence of our established missions was represented by this map, and it was seen that Australia and the adjoining islands are the only civilized portions of the earth where the influence of our missions is not felt. Therefore, when the truth shall have become established in Australia, and the influence be felt in New Zealand, the Island of Tasmania, and on the coast of India, where there are large settlements of English people, then the truth will have encircled the civilized world.

The meeting adjourned sine die. S. N. HASKELL, Pres. ANNA L. INGELS, Sec'y.