The Tract Distributors by Stephen N. Haskell

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · May 28, 1885

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 11, No. 21.

The Tract Distributors.

By Stephen N. Haskell

THE question of placing tract distributors in public places has been discussed at our general annual meetings for a number of years past. Those of our brethren who have used them, and noticed the effect of the reading matter thus distributed, have spoken highly in their favor, while those who have had the least experience with them have been more reserved. Formerly, we have been of the more reserved class. But from what we have seen and known of the effect of them, we have become convinced of their utility.

At the International Society held at Battle Creek, Mich., last winter, the following preamble and resolution were passed:—

WHEREAS, each year's experience gives us more confidence in the efficiency of missionary work done on ships and railroad lines; therefore,

Reso'ved, that we recommend a more general effort in this line, and especially the placing of tract and periodical distributors in railway depots, and on ships and steamers; these distributors to be kept in place only as long as it is evident that they are useful, and arrangements can be made to keep them well supplied with reading matter.

At a subsequent meeting of a committee to consider the general interests of the cause, the distributors were highly recommended, and W. C. Sisley was appointed to see to supplying the various tract societies with them. There are two kinds of distributors used. One, simply containing nothing but our reading matter; while there is another kind used largely in depots in the Western States which have in the center a space large enough to hold a railway table, with pockets for our publications beneath and on each side. This secures a protection of them by the railroad officials, as their own advertisement is in the center. We see no objection to this, where it is necessary thus to protect our property.

There are about five hundred of these in active use in this country. Two hundred and seventy-five of these are on the Pacific Coast, while there are a few on the island of Honolulu, and on ships. Many of these are supplied each day; others twice a week, while those in rural districts once a week. The cost of supplying them averages about $12 a year each. Where they are filled once a week upon the Pacific Coast, the SIGNS, Review, and tracts are placed in them. The average cost of the 160, allowing them to be filled twice a week, which is a low estimate as many of them are filled each day, would amount to the sum of not less than $3,840 per year; and the total cost on the 275 used on the Pacific Coast would be $5,600. And there is no portion of the country where our brethren are more enthusiastic over the tract distributors than on the Pacific Coast. Our friends have watched them as the readers came in and took from them reading matter.

It has been ascertained that in many instances there are regular readers to the periodicals placed in the distributors. In one instance at the Oakland pier, in California, when a satchel of papers was brought in to supply the distributors, a lady requested the SIGNS OF THE TIMES, and she was handed an old paper. She remarked that she had read that. The attendant gave her a later number, and as she took it she said she had also read that; he then handed her the latest number, for which she thanked him, and said she had not seen that number before. It was evident that she was a constant reader.

It is observed that tracts are the last things taken from the distributors; periodicals are invariably used first. Many interesting instances were related similar to the above in the late State quarterly meeting in California. In one town there are three families known to be observing the Sabbath as a direct result of the reading matter found in the distributors; in another place one family; and thus they are more or less to be found where the distributors are used. There is no doubt that in some cases the publications are wasted, but the amount, where it is so, is far less than might be supposed. Some have been seen to take out the papers and, after reading them, do them up in wrappers and address them to send by mail.

It is one of the effective means of scattering the truth among those who are unacquainted with it. When our brethren wake up to the importance of giving the light to others, there will be twenty used in this country where there is now one. The question may be asked, If it costs so much to supply them, would it not rob other branches of this work? This has not been the result in any case which we have known, but the result proves the same as in other respects where the spirit of the missionary work is manifested. Those tract societies that take the largest number of SIGNS to use in their missionary work, pay the largest tithe, and are more liberal in every other branch of the cause. It is the same with the tract distributors; those societies where they are mostly used do the largest amount of missionary work in other respects. The same spirit that inspires them in one phase of the work will lead them to adopt any means by which the cause of truth can be advanced in other phases. Recently the SIGNS Office has received quite a number of orders for distributors to be sent across the mountains. They have invariably been referred to Battle Creek, Mich.

In large depots and thoroughfares, where the people are traveling from one part of the country to the other, and will frequently have to wait an hour or two for the cars, is a very fitting place for the tract distributors. "Sow beside all waters" is the injunction of the inspired penman. The truth is to fall like leaves of autumn wherever there are people to be warned of the coming Judgment. God holds his people responsible for his work, and every lawful means by which it can be accomplished. It is duty for all to avail themselves of every providence that will accomplish God's design in giving his truth to mankind. It is not only important that these distributors be placed in public thoroughfares, but that they should be attended to. In every case, responsible persons should see them supplied, and provisions should be made for the reading matter. Individuals or local societies can do this without affecting the State treasury. There are many who could give $12 or $25 a year for this purpose. Then there are individuals living in the vicinity where the distributors are located who could attend to supplying them regularly. This is as important as it is to have the distributors. God's providence is over this work, and his hand is in it. This feature of missionary work will yet prove to be one of the greatest means of placing the truth before the people.

S. N. H.