To the Directors of the Tract and Missionary Societies.
By Stephen N. Haskell
I HAVE been repeatedly requested to write for the REVIEW the duties of the directors. Their general duties are in the revised constitution of the Tract and Missionary Societies, which every director should have. But in addition to that, I will say a few words. It devolves upon each director to see that the object of the society is carried out in his district, in looking after the poor, guarding against extremes in the labor, as well as to see that every member is doing something, &c., &c. Especially should they see that every member has an interest in every department of this work. I am not what is called a “woman’s-rights man,” yet I do believe that in the cause of Christ women should have a freedom of conscience and act in harmony with it; for “there is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female, for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.” Children should be so educated that their influence can be felt in the cause of God. No director can discharge his duty before God unless he understands the condition and wants of each member in his district. Let each director realize the importance of his work and he will not rest satisfied until each individual, man, woman, and child, will manifest a lively interest in every department of the cause of God. It will require time and much patient labor, and when means are called for and burdens are to be borne, he should be an example to others. This spirit of sacrificing labor should be encouraged in the hearts of all; and unless he drinks largely of it himself, how can he impart it to others? It is impossible. Now is the time to work. God’s providence is far in advance of us, and many of us are drying up. We have become like a spring whose waters fail—no spiritual life to impart to others, but are spiritual dwarfs. I see no reason why farmers or mechanics who have made life a success in gaining a competency, and in gaining the confidence of the community in which they live, cannot, with the same diligence and zeal, become successful in laboring in the cause of God. And if their large farms keep them at home, then sell off a “40” or so, and reduce their cares so they can apply themselves to the fulfillment of those duties which devolve upon them. If the cause in which we are engaged means anything, it means everything; and to dabble with it at our fingers’ ends, thinking perhaps it is so and perhaps it is not so—look out first for ourselves and then give a little of our surplus time and means for the cause—is solemn mockery. “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness,” is the command of our divine Lord and Master. God, by his Spirit and providence, is loudly calling for action. Shall we arouse and shake off this lukewarmness? or settle in a certain round of duty, and never get out of our old ruts, but become like the denominations around us? Pure and undefiled religion before God the Father is to do something. James 1:27. But we should never forget that efforts put forth in our own strength, or with a selfish motive, will ever prove fruitless. It is God that gives the increase. It is “not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.” “For by strength shall no man prevail.” But God giveth grace to the humble, and no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly. There is danger of this work being taken hold of with a kind of legal spirit, not realizing our dependence upon God. We must have the spirit and power of this work in us if we would inspire it in others. With our hearts warm with the love of God, other hearts will become electrified and be aglow with the same spirit. It is expected that each director will see that all pledges are collected in his district, and that he take the responsibility of forwarding them to their destination. If they belong to the T. and M. Society, such as tract fund, widows and orphans’ fund, &c., he should, once a quarter, forward it to the State Treasurer of the T. and M. Society. If it be our school pledges, and such like, he can, if he choose, forward it direct to the Office, but report the same to the secretary of the Society. If subscribers are obtained for our periodicals, the director can send the names direct to the Office for the individuals and retain the money and pay it into the treasury, but should at once send to the secretary of the T. and M. Society the name and address of each, and they at the Office will forward to the secretary a statement of the business; and if any mistakes occur, they will be at once detected and rectified by the secretary. This will save any loss of money and many misunderstandings, which frequently occur. No Tract and Missionary Society should think of running an account at the Office over three months. Each quarter, all bills should be paid and books balanced. A cash capital should ever be on hand sufficiently large to (1) keep a sufficient quantity of publications to supply each member of the society; (2) to supply libraries with our bound books, periodicals to ministers of other denominations, tracts and pamphlets to such ministers, reading rooms, or any other such enterprise as the board of directors may deem expedient. And such questions should always be decided by the board of directors present at any general quarterly meeting, and not left to any one director, as all the funds become the property of the society, and the interests of the entire Conference should be considered. Each director should see that his district stands in the condition above described financially. This money should be raised by free donations. All tracts and pamphlets should be ordered by the directors, through the president. I cannot see how any T. and M. Society can successfully operate unless there are twice as many dollars for a capital for purposes above stated as there are individual members in the Society. Michigan T. and M. Society has 1500 members; they therefore should have $3,000 capital, and so all others. And this we expect will be done. God is blessing every Seventh-day Adventist Conference that is taking hold of this work systematically, sacrificingly, and energetically. This is too apparent to leave any room to doubt the utility of these Societies. May God give the true burden of his work, unite our hearts and efforts by his Holy Spirit and truth, and speed on the time when the church will arise, “fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners.”