WHAT SHALL BE DONE IN NEW YORK?
By B. L. Whitney
As we have taken time during the past few days to consider the wants of the cause in this State and lay plans for the winter campaign, this question has been repeated again and again. I will try briefly to suggest some things, which I think can and ought to be done. 1. There should be more interest taken in the general work of the Tract and Missionary Society. Our last quarterly report shows less labor done during the past quarter than for the same period during any year since the Society was organized. Brethren, this ought not so to be. There are causes, to be sure, that have helped to bring about these results. The times are hard, and the brethren feel as though they could not spend as much time as heretofore, there has been less effort made in holding general meetings, &c.; but now we have reached the best season of the year for missionary work, and we must reverse all these things, and take hold of the work in earnest. I believe we have every indication that the Lord is willing to work for us and with us, and he will surely hold us responsible if we are not ready to do our part. There has been a remarkable interest in this city during the past season, such as has been seen in but a few instances in the history of this message; and when I see what has been accomplished, I feel as though we have, as a Conference, great reasons to be thankful to God for what he has wrought for us—that we should be encouraged thereby, and should show our gratitude by taking hold of the work with new zeal. We are also to be favored with the labors of Bro. Cartwright for the winter, and I trust our brethren will show their appreciation of this by making a special effort to attend the meetings he will hold in the different parts of the State. We hope he may be able to visit all our churches before spring; and I know he can and will help us if we on our part make the necessary effort to avail ourselves of his labors. But I wish to speak more particularly of some things that should be done by the Tract Society. 2. A special effort should be made for the SIGNS. For various reasons this subject did not receive the attention it should at our quarterly meeting, and we wish particularly to call the attention of the brethren to it here. We ask our directors to lay their plans for a thorough canvass for the SIGNS. I am sure New York will not be satisfied with anything less than her full share of the winter’s work in this direction. Our proportion of 10,000 new subscribers is only about one subscriber to a member. Is there a member of the Society who could not with a little effort obtain at least one subscriber for the SIGNS during the month of January? We ask every member of the Society to consider it his duty to obtain one subscriber for the SIGNS during January. 3. The REFORMER must not be neglected. The regular canvassers will not interfere with the regular work of the Society, as there is plenty of room for all to work. Any individual who does not understand the terms on which premiums are given can obtain the necessary information from the director of his district. Brethren, shall we take hold of this work with new energy and with the determination to make a success of it? We may see the largest winter’s work we have ever done, if we will set ourselves about it. The times are hard, and many of our brethren are out of employment. There is a rich chance for them to go to work for the Lord, for there certainly was never more need of laborers than now. The pay is sure, and there is no reduction in the wages either. What excuse shall we have if we are found idle? I hope to visit each district during the present quarter, commencing in No. 1, Jan. 6 and 7. The week following I shall be in Dist. No. 11, and the week after that, in No. 10. I am anxious to meet the brethren generally in these districts. More hereafter. [NOTE.—Bro. Whitney wished this to appear last week, but it came to hand a day too late. C. W. S.]