North Pacific T. and M. Society

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jul 26, 1883

North Pacific T. and M. Society.

THE seventh annual session of this society was held on the camp-ground at Beaverton, Or. The first meeting convened June 21, 5 P. M. Prayer by Eld. Colcord. Minutes of the last annual meeting read and accepted. Report of labor, finances, and standing of the society was called for and read. The reports, on being compared with those of last year, showed about three times the amount of labor performed and money received.

Committees were appointed as follows: On Nominations, Eld. W. L. Raymond, Henry Atkins, and Joseph Wilson; on Resolutions, Eld. G. W. Colcord, R. D. Benham, and J. Kingsbury.

The remainder of the time allotted to the meeting was occupied by Eld. Haskell in giving a very interesting and instructive address on the rise, time of organization, progress, and object of the missionary society. He remarked that the time will soon come when the message will go with a loud cry, and the work will be more largely accomplished by missionary labor than by preaching; that this is the most important work in which man ever engaged, and that by taking an active part in this cause we are working with God and angels. Some thrilling incidents were related in regard to the Waldenses; their missionary spirit and the bitter persecution it brought upon them. Adjourned to call of chair.

SECOND MEETING, JUNE 25, 5:30 P. M. Prayer was offered by Eld. Haskell. The Nominating Committee submitted the following: For President, Eld. C. L. Boyd; Vice-President, O. Dickinson; Secretary, Mrs. C. L. Boyd; Assistant Secretary, J. M. Cole; Directors—District No. 1, J. C. Bunch; No. 2, T. H. Starbuck; No. 3, J. Burden. The nominees were elected. District No. 3 was divided so as to form another district, to be known as No. 4, and G. W. Davis was elected director. Voted, that the State officers draw the lines between the two districts, Nos. 2 and 3. The Committee on Resolutions presented the following report:—

WHEREAS, The providence of God clearly indicates that his blessings accompany the colporteur work of many missionary laborers in obtaining trial monthly subscriptions to the SIGNS OF THE TIMES, weekly visiting subscribers, selling our publications, etc., therefore Resolved, That we hereby express our confidence in this phase of the missionary labor, and will do what we can to encourage proper persons to devote their time to this work.

WHEREAS, Much time is required to obtain first numbers of subscriptions to the SIGNS from Oakland, Cal., therefore Resolved, That we recommend that our State Secretary order a sufficiently large club of the paper to remail to all who subscribe for less than six months.

Resolved, That we encourage suitable persons in our various churches who cannot devote all of their time to missionary efforts, to devote what time they can in their own neighborhood to obtain trial subscriptions, to visit and to secure renewals of subscriptions.

Resolved, That we urge our brethren and sisters while traveling through the country to solicit trial subscriptions to the SIGNS, even though they cannot revisit the subscribers; that the names be sent to the State Secretary and then to some experienced V. M. worker, to increase by correspondence the interest created.

After remarks, questions, and explanations, the resolutions were adopted. Eld. Haskell reminded the brethren of the necessity of their becoming full-paying subscribers to the SIGNS, in order that they may be enabled to furnish clubs at reduced prices for missionary purposes.

Remarks were made concerning the location of the State library. Portland was spoken of as the proper place notwithstanding the necessary increase of expenses. Pledges were made to the amount of $558 on the Reserve Fund, and $109.10 on Tent and Camp-meeting Fund. In an informal meeting it was advised that the State library be moved to East Portland as soon as possible, and that the place be thoroughly canvassed, preparatory to tent-meeting; $300 were pledged to help carry forward the canvassing enterprise.

Several of those specially interested in the work remained two days after the meeting proper adjourned. The time was devoted to instructions relative to canvassing for "Thoughts on Daniel and the Revelation" and the SIGNS, and laying plans for future operations. Five young men and two young women went from the meeting to enter upon the canvassing work.

The financial report for the year ending June 1, 1883, is as follows:— ASSETS. Due from Societies........................... $ 89.32 “ “ Ministers............................ 6.80 “ “ Private individuals.................... 42.57 “ Books, tracts, etc., on hand.............. 239.97 LIABILITIES. Due SIGNS Office............................. $ 69.56 “ Review “............................. 149.39 “ For new tent............................. 140.00 PRESENT STANDING OF SOCIETY.—CASH STATEMENT. Cash on hand July 1, 1882.................... $ 10.11 Received on periodicals...................... 444.83 “ “ Tract Society Fund................... 490.44 “ “ Reserve “............................ 238.10 “ “ Tent and Camp-meeting Fund............ 130.85 $1,314.33 Cash paid to SIGNS Office.................... $883.19 “ “ “ Review “............................ 70.00 “ “ For new tent............................. 100.00 “ “ On last camp-meeting expenses............ 34.13 “ “ For general expenses..................... 25.57 $1,112.89 Cash on hand................................. 201.44

Following is the report of labor for the year ending June 1, 1883:— No. of members................................ 113 “ “ reports returned......................... 245 “ “ added................................... 49 “ “ dismissed............................... 6 “ “ visits.................................. 619 “ “ letters written......................... 1,284 “ “ pages of tracts given away................ 60,723 “ “ “ “ loaned.......................... 49,722 “ “ “ “ sold............................ 68,565 “ “ periodicals distributed................... 10,136 “ “ SIGNS in clubs............................ 166 “ “ new subscribers obtained.................. 158 ELD. C. L. BOYD, Pres. MRS. C. L. BOYD, Sec.