California Missionary and Tract Society by John Norton Loughborough; M. G. Kellogg; J. Bowman

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 20, 1871

California Missionary and Tract Society.

By John Norton Loughborough; M. G. Kellogg; J. Bowman

DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS IN CALIFORNIA: As you passed a resolution in the State Meeting to contribute of your “means for a book fund in this State, to be used in the judicious distribution of pamphlets and tracts on present truth,” and as you requested the State Committee “to prepare an article for the REVIEW, suggesting the manner in which to raise and carry out the purposes of the fund,” in compliance with that request we have had the matter under consideration, and would make the following suggestions:

1. That we call this society The California Missionary and Tract Society; and that it consist of a parent society, whose officers may be the officers of the California State Meeting of S. D. Adventists; and further, that each band of Sabbath-keepers in the State organize an auxiliary society to carry on the work in their immediate vicinity, as well as to aid in the interest and work of the parent society.

2. We would suggest that the elder or leader in each band or church, be chosen as president of each auxiliary society, and that a secretary and treasurer be also chosen, and the three constitute, in each church, a committee to advise in regard to the judicious distribution of reading on present truth in such places, and to such persons, as said band may have access.

3. That each individual who is interested in the spread of these truths be considered a member of the society, and be requested to become a worker in these auxiliary societies by contributing of his or her means, so far as may be consistent, to raise book and tract funds, or by judiciously giving or loaning tracts and pamphlets to those who may be induced to read.

4. As to the mode of raising means, we would suggest that when each society is organized there be raised a fund by voluntary contributions of such sums as parties interested may be induced to give. And, further, that the Systematic Benevolence treasurer of each band, when collecting the quarterly sums on S. B., suggest also to each member the interests of the tract society, and receive what they, seeking the Lord’s counsel, may decide to impart of their substance for this object. Let the funds of the parent society be raised by individual contributions directly to its treasury, and also of such proportion of funds raised by auxiliary societies, as each society may see fit to devote to that object.

5. The parent society is expected to care especially for the distribution of tracts and books by preachers in connection with the work in new fields. It will also furnish tracts and books at cost to auxiliary societies. It will keep an accurate account of money received, and books sold to auxiliary societies, or those distributed, and report the same at each session of the State Meeting.

6. The members of each auxiliary society will be expected to make personal efforts to exemplify the truth by their godly lives and pure conversation, and then by giving tracts to such as may be induced to read, or loaning pamphlets and larger works to be taken up again, and loaned to others, or given to the individual, if they become sufficiently interested to study them and are not so situated as to buy. Members will also do what they can to extend the circulation of our periodicals. Each auxiliary society should expect a report quarterly from its members, in which items of interest in connection with visiting, and the circulation of books and tracts can be presented.

7. If we all come up to the work with a will, as God has prospered us, there may be, and should be, sufficient funds raised for the parent society that it may keep on hand a good stock of books and tracts for its own operations, and the use of the auxiliary societies.

If these suggestions, after prayerful reflection, meet your mind, the matter can be brought into form by organizing the parent society at our Sabbath-school convention, July 4. Think it over, pray over it, come up to the convention prepared to act on this matter in two respects: first, to organize a society; secondly, to contribute of your means that the society may go to work. It need take but a few moments of the time of the convention. And may God speed on the work everywhere.

J. N. Loughborough, M. G. Kellogg, J. Bowman, Committee of California State Meeting.