Quarterly Meeting of the New England Tract and Missionary Society by Stephen Nelson Haskell; M. L. Huntley

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 26, 1873

Quarterly Meeting of the New England Tract and Missionary Society.

By Stephen Nelson Haskell; M. L. Huntley

AGREEABLY with appointment in the REVIEW, the New England Tract and Missionary Society met at New Ipswich, N. H., Aug. 3, 1873, at 9 A. M. Meeting opened with prayer by Eld. J. N. Andrews. The report of the preceding meeting was read and accepted. Interesting remarks were made by Eld. Haskell with reference to the organization of Tract and Missionary Societies in other Conferences, and the progress of the work in different places, after which the report of missionary labor for the past quarter was read. Owing to the fact that this quarterly meeting was held one week sooner than was expected, an entire report was received from only one district. From one district, no report was received, and only partial ones from the other two. This quarter has covered a portion of the year unfavorable for missionary labor. This, together with the change in appointments, rendered the report of missionary labor quite small. The total amount is about as follows:—

Subscribers obtained for the REVIEW, 10; Reformer, 13; Instructor, 8. Number of periodicals distributed, 194. Publications distributed, 26,208 pages; value, $32.78. Number of visits made, 64; letters written, 105. Bound books presented to libraries, 11. Number of letters written by members of the Vigilant Missionary Society, 77; received, 45. Total distribution of periodicals, 69; publications, 6201 pages.

Financial report of the T. and M. Society:


Cash on hand last quarter,	$346.80
Received for membership,	3.00
“ on donations,	99.31
“ on sale of books,	5.88
“ on periodicals,	7.26
Total,	462.25
Paid for publications,	$82.10
“ on periodicals,	109.88
“ on W. and O. Fund,	35.00
Incidental expenses,	30.45
Cash on hand,	204.82
Total,	462.25

The importance of obtaining subscribers for our periodicals, especially the Health Reformer, was urged upon the brethren and sisters, as one effectual means of removing prejudice from the minds of individuals, thus preparing the way for the introduction of present truth.

The subject of assisting the worthy poor received considerable attention, also the wants of the cause in this Conference in consequence of the scarcity of ministerial labor. After some remarks, it was moved and carried that a committee be chosen by the president to nominate some person or persons to visit different churches for the purpose of administering the ordinances, attending quarterly meetings, &c. Brn. S. Martin, F. Gould, and F. Nichols were named as said committee, who recommended Bro. L. W. Hastings as well adapted to labor in this Conference as above stated. The nomination was ratified by a unanimous vote.

Adjourned for twenty minutes.

SECOND SESSION.

The report of the last meeting of the Health Reform Association was read and accepted, after which a report from the committee appointed at the last quarterly meeting to experiment with reference to hygienic cooking was called for; in response to which, various receipts were read and suggestions made concerning shortening for pastry, and preparing baking irons and tins so as to prevent bread, &c., from adhering to them without the use of animal fat, or butter. Much interest was manifested by remarks which followed, and it was quite evident that the Testimonies and other books devoted to the subject of hygiene had been freely consulted as one result of this move, and also that there is an increasing interest on the health-reform question in this Conference. Two essays were then read, and the meeting adjourned.

ELD. S. N. HASKELL, Pres. M. L. HUNTLEY, Sec.