p. 167 | Annual Report of the New England Tract and Missionary Society

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 25, 1875

Annual Report of the New England Tract and Missionary Society.

By H. B. Stratton; Mary Martin

The fifth annual meeting of the New England Tract and Missionary Society convened at South Lancaster, Mass., Nov. 7, 1875. By request of the president, H. B. Stratton, Eld. S. N. Haskell occupied the chair.

Meeting opened in the usual manner. Report of the last meeting was called for and read. The report of missionary labor for the last year was then read, which was as follows: No. of families visited, 427; letters written, 514; No. of pages of tracts and pamphlets distributed, 339,960; No. of subscribers obtained for periodicals, 1145.

The notice of the general meeting was so brief that none of the districts could hold their district meetings, therefore a limited number of reports was returned; and, as a consequence, but a small amount of the labor performed during the last quarter was reported. The report showed, however, that 29 subscribers had been obtained for periodicals; 128 letters written; 107 families visited; and 71,840 pages of publications distributed.

The financial report showed the receipts during the year to be $1,305.94

Paid for publications, periodicals, tents, etc., 1,449.67

Books on hand at present time, 675.00

It was voted that the Chair appoint a Committee on Nominations. Eld. P. C. Rodman, C. L. Sweet, and M. C. Israel were appointed said committee.

The annual report of the Vigilant Missionary Society was then read, which showed that 386 letters had been written; 275 received; and 42,128 pages of publications distributed. These have been circulated in different parts of the country, including the Territories and Southern States; also in England, Scotland, Ireland, France, Switzerland, Prussia, Russia, China, Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. A correspondence has been established in most of these places. The REVIEW and Reformer are sent regularly to reading-rooms in England and Scotland at their solicitation. Our Health Almanac and denominational works have been called for repeatedly in the English, French, and German languages. Through the efforts of this Society, individuals have embraced the Sabbath who have reprinted and distributed some of our best tracts by thousands. Measures have also been taken by those outside of our faith to have “Sufferings of Christ,” and other publications, translated into the Russian and Chinese tongues.

Meeting adjourned until 4 P. M.

SECOND SESSION.

Meeting opened with prayer by Bro. Stratton.

The camp-ground report showed that during the time the Conference has owned the ground, the income for the use of it, from sales at stand, etc., has been nearly sufficient to meet the expenses of the camp-meetings, thus saving the entire cost of the ground.

The propriety of changing the place of camp-meetings to reach a new class of hearers each successive year, was freely discussed. The disposing of the camp-ground was left in the hands of the Conference Committee.

Voted, That the portion of the ground which has not been used for camp-meetings be donated to the Lancaster church toward paying for their chapel.

Essays, in the form of a paper called The Missionary Worker, were then read by the editor, Nellie F. Heald, which evinced a deep interest in the missionary work.

It was voted that a new district be formed, embracing the Sabbath-keepers in the vicinity of Ludlow, Springfield, Amherst, etc.

The Committee on Nominations reported the following for officers in the Tract Society the coming year: President, Eld. S. N. Haskell, South Lancaster, Mass.; Vice-President, L. W. Hastings, New Ipswich, N. H.; Secretary, Miss M. L. Huntley, South Lancaster, Mass.; Treasurer, M. Wood, cor. K and Emerson Streets, South Boston, Mass. Directors: Dist. No. 1, J. C. Tucker, Kingston, R. I.; No. 2, M. Wood, South Boston, Mass.; No. 3, S. Martin, West Ridge, N. H.; No. 4, F. W. Mace, Amherst, N. H.; No. 5, S. J. Twing, Martville, Mass.; No. 6, F. R. Richmond, Brightwood, Mass.

The religious meetings were solemn and impressive. The Spirit of God seemed to be in our midst. Some walked four miles to attend the 5 o’clock morning meeting. One who came quite a distance to attend an S. D. Adventist meeting for the first time, returned fully decided to be an observer of God’s Sabbath. Some who were backslidden, and were fast losing their interest, made a new start to serve the Lord. Our meetings closed Monday, at 5 o’clock A. M., all feeling that we had had one of the most profitable meetings ever held in New England.

H. B. STRATTON, Pres.

MARY MARTIN, Sec.