NINE THOUSAND FOR NEW ENGLAND.
By M. Wood
In Review, Vol. 48, No. 20, we have a systematic calculation of the number of almanacs proportioned to each Conference embraced within the pale of the General Conference, said almanacs to be distributed by the working members of the various Tract and Missionary Societies, organized for the express purpose of spreading the light in a world lying in wickedness and covered by gross darkness. To the New England T. and M. Society, with a membership of less than three hundred, we find assigned the modest sum of six thousand almanacs for distribution. But the worthy president of the New England T. and M. Society, having an eye to business, and knowing the zeal heretofore manifested by this missionary corps, added another three thousand, making in all nine thousand almanacs, to benefit nine thousand New England firesides. But how shall these nine thousand almanacs be disposed of? What method shall we adopt to equalize the work and meet the expense thus incurred? At the most, we have not more than two hundred efficient members. Dividing nine thousand by two hundred gives to each individual just forty-five almanacs. At five cents each, these would be worth $2.25. But there are some of our brethren and sisters who have not facilities for disposing of so many, while there are others who could, if they would, sell hundreds of them in a few days. A little boy and girl here at the Hub, having caught the missionary spirit, went from house to house with the Health Almanac, and in two evenings sold nearly a score of them for ten cents each, some taking two copies. A brother sold twelve one afternoon, besides attending to his other duties. How shall we equalize the work, so that the blessing of God attending this branch of missionary labor shall be equally realized? I have thought of several ways in which this may be accomplished. 1. That each member of the T. and M. Society buy from ten to one hundred almanacs, according to his circumstances, at five cents each (which would cover first cost and freight), dispose of them as soon as possible, and then duplicate the order. Many of these could be sold for ten cents each, affording a profit of one hundred per cent.; and this course, if followed up, would give you, at the end of the quarter, a very handsome sum to set down on your report as a donation. 2. That the districts order almanacs as follows:— |
|
|
|---|
| Dist. No. 1, |
800 |
Almanacs. |
| “ “ 2, |
4000 |
“ |
| “ “ 3, |
500 |
“ |
| “ “ 4, |
800 |
“ |
| “ “ 5, |
400 |
“ |
| “ “ 6, |
500 |
“ |
| “ “ 7, |
2000 |
“ |
Send along your orders, brethren. Let not these golden moments pass unimproved. Let the zeal manifested by those circulating the agents of death stimulate us to greater activity in this noble cause. Of course, there are some, who, during these hard times, cannot spare the money to pay for the almanacs, at once; but, money or no money, order through your district director or librarian as many as you can dispose of judiciously. There are scores in our respective districts who can (and doubtless will) buy hundreds of these almanacs for free distribution. And here the words of the great apostle, as recorded in 2 Cor. 9, apply admirably: “Therefore, as ye abound in everything, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also. . . . For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not. For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened; but by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want; that there may be equality. . . . Wherefore show ye to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf.” Comments on this scripture are unnecessary. I would simply add, should there be any in this Conference or any other, having their means in banks, stocks, bonds, farms, merchandise, etc., waiting for a time when the cause of God will need means more than at the present time, let me say to such persons, on the authority of the Testimony to the Church, that that time will never arrive. See Testimony No. 26, page 111. God has spoken to us, shall we heed the warning voice? Remember, dear reader, the day of the Lord is near, it is near and hasteth greatly; and the angels of God will soon be commissioned to gather his saints, those that have made a covenant by sacrifice. M. Wood.