That we have reached a very important period in the history of this work, there can be no doubt; and if the present inducements offered to the Tract Societies are not sufficient to arouse them to activity, I know not what inducement could be offered that would do it. The more we have considered the steps taken at the late session of the General Conference relating to the tract and missionary work, the more fully we are convinced that it is not only a step in advance, but the only move that will place this cause upon a financial basis, and be productive of great spiritual prosperity to all those who cheerfully act. It will also open avenues to a thousand fire-sides where there is one at the present time where the sacred rays of present truth can enter.
If the various Tract Societies adopt the plan in reference to obtaining subscribers for our periodicals and raising means, there is not a Tract Society in the country but that will be stronger within one year financially and in every other respect than ever before. In fact they will be able to do anything they please.
Let us examine this from a financial standpoint. We start out on the supposition that each Conference adopt the plan of Systematic Benevolence recommended by the General Conference. With the light that now shines upon this subject, no Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, no church or member of this denomination, can expect God’s blessing without cheerfully adopting it.
(1) It has been made very clear from the word of God. (2) God’s servants who have led out in this cause from the commencement have felt the burden of this matter and have led out in it. (3) The spirit of God has spoken twice directly upon it. (4) The General Conference, after a careful re-examination of the whole matter, have unanimously recommended it to all our people. Under this weight of evidence it cannot be unheeded without the frown of Heaven; while on the other hand if we venture, and adopt the same cheerfully, it will bring to us the approbation of a just and holy God. See Mal. 3: 8–12; 1: 7, 8, 12–14; Matt. 23: 23; 1 Cor. 16: 1, 2; 2 Cor. 9: 6–10; Prov. 3: 9, 10.
With the present number of Sabbath-keepers, according to the plan, the S. B., at a low estimate, would not be less than $75,000 in this country. Now raising a sum equal to one third this amount for our tract enterprise, we have $25,000. Place by the side of this $5,000 for new members at one dollar each, which might be added within three months’ time if all of our Tract Society members would promptly take hold of the work according to the sixth recommendation to the Michigan Tract Society.
Then there are the periodicals with the premiums offered to new subscribers: “Uses of Water,” “Sun-shine Series,” and “The Way of Life.” The present arrangements in regard to the “Way of Life,”5with the REFORMER, or the SIGNS OF THE TIMES, are such that not less than 10,000 names can easily be obtained by members of the Tract Society, who are not especial agents. This will yield an actual profit to the Tract Societies of one per cent., or $1,000.
That is, the Way of Life, offered to the Tract Societies, when used in obtaining new subscribers outside of our people, is 60 per cent. discount. The Tract Society pays $1.50 for the SIGNS. This will give the society 10 cents for every subscriber obtained for the SIGNS and “Way of Life” at $2.00, the price to be charged for the two.
It is the same with the REFORMER. See the agent’s circular.
The arrangements made with those who give their entire time to canvassing are such that hundreds might thereby obtain a livelihood.
There are some sisters who are now earning from $1.00 to $1.50 per day at canvassing.
Now the result of this:—The $25,000 will pay for the tracts used. The $1,000 on premiums and $5,000 on membership will give $6,000 for the Tract Societies, whereby they will be enabled to send the SIGNS and HEALTH REFORMER to nearly 5,000 families on trial at Tract Society rates.
This plan being adopted throughout the entire field equalizes the labor and systematizes the action. The especial agents should procure as many more subscribers. The almanacs, according to the plan recommended, will pay for themselves.
These figures, to those who have not given this subject much thought, may at first seem large; but if each individual member of the tract society will cheerfully take hold of this work (and many are doing it), the aggregate will far exceed the statements here made.
Then, the spiritual benefit derived from this kind of labor cannot be estimated. As practice will give experience, and qualify the mechanic to be a master workman at his trade, and perfect the professional man in his calling, so the individual who devotedly engages in the work of God will become strong in the Lord and a workman that needeth not to be ashamed.
We have no time to lose. The sooner our Conferences take hold of this work the better. It is our next step to forward this cause. It is in harmony with the divine law of equality. It gives every Conference an opportunity of coming up in the work without leaving a heavy debt upon the same. The poor Conferences have no excuse. Their past debts have been forgiven. God has gone out before us to prepare the way. Public sentiment is far different from what it was one year ago.
The Seventh-day Adventists are favorably known everywhere in this country. The public press speaks in their favor. God is leading. The cloud is arising. Soon the work will be far in advance of those who fail to put forth that effort which is necessary in this important crisis. We believe there will be a rally from Maine to California; and those individuals, churches, and Conferences, who act well their part in these moves, will soon hear it said by the great Dispenser of all blessings, “Because thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee a ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.” S. N. HASKELL.