The Tract Society by Stephen Nelson Haskell

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 21, 1871

The Tract Society

By Stephen Nelson Haskell

OF THE NEW ENGLAND CONFERENCE.

The circulation of tracts, and the obtaining of subscribers for our periodicals has been a subject of interest with us for the past year. And the success that has attended our efforts is evidence that God has approved the movement. Therefore we have no reason to be discouraged. And when we consider the magnitude of the work, and what must be done to warn the world, we can readily see that we have but just commenced.

Five hundred subscribers for our periodicals should at least be obtained each quarter. This can be done if we energetically take hold of this work. The Health Reformer should be in every reading room within the limits of this Conference. Also the Review, as far as they will receive it. The next six months will complete the furnishing of all the principal public libraries in New England with our bound books.

There is another work about to be published which should go into the hands of every first-day Adventist family and all others who are interested enough in the Sabbath question to raise an objection. I refer to Eld. Andrews' Review of T. M. Preble. We speak for two thousand copies for general distribution in this Conference. It is time that every individual that would read on the Sabbath question should have the privilege. We have no reason to be discouraged, but every reason to be encouraged from the fact that God's hand is in the work. It is his will that the truth should spread; therefore it will spread, and God would have us instruments in his hands in the carrying out his purpose in this respect.

But it requires consecration on our part, and a humble devoted spirit that God can fully approve. Then with a united effort much can be accomplished. Were each member of this society to obtain but five subscribers in a quarter it would amount to nearly twenty-four hundred a year. After receiving a little tract containing an appeal in behalf of the Health Reformer, Bro. Wood, of Boston, right in his store obtained five subscribers for the Reformer in one day.

Many here in New England (and this only illustrates how it is elsewhere), after reading a few tracts, the Health Reformer, or the REVIEW, without ever hearing a sermon, have embraced the Sabbath. We know not what we can do until we try. But we do know that if we try in the fear of God, we shall succeed. Let none from a delicacy, or neglect, refrain from returning the blank reports properly filled out which they may receive near the close of each quarter, to the secretary. We invite others to join us in this work, so as to work systematically.

S. N. Haskell.