TRACT AND MISSIONARY QUESTIONS.
By Stephen N. Haskell
WHAT IS TO BE DONE WITH THE ONE-THIRD?
The plan of raising means for the tract and missionary work has been heretofore by donation. These pledges were usually made as the result of earnest appeals at quarterly meetings, camp-meetings, etc. It was found that great inequality resulted from the plan. (1) Many of our brethren who were able to pay liberally would not be at the meeting. (2) Often the most conscientious under these stirring appeals would go beyond their ability, and thus distress themselves, while the more able would fail to do what they ought. The apostle taught equality, “I mean not that other men be eased and you 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.” 2 Cor. 8: 13, 14. This matter was considered at the General Conference, and after much prayerful consideration it was recommended, first, that all our brethren and sisters come up on the Bible plan of Systematic Benevolence, which is based upon giving as God has prospered them. 1 Cor. 16: 2; Deut. 16: 17. This calls for one tithe of a man's increase and income. Lev. 27: 30; Matt. 23: 23; Luke 11: 42; Gen. 14: 26; 28: 22; Heb. 7: 4, 8. Secondly, that each member pay a sum for the tract and missionary work for 1877 equal to one-third of his s. b. This does away the old method of pledging for this purpose. Hence when this step is taken by each church, the one-third is paid into the Conference Tract Society to which the church belongs; and it is then entitled to that amount for the purchase of tracts and for such missionary enterprises as the Conference Tract Society may enter upon.45 The almanacs taken by each Conference Tract Society are charged to it at the publishing house. The Tract Society charges each district with the number it takes, and the district charges each church. The almanac financial problem has been thoroughly solved this winter that wherever our brethren have cheerfully taken hold of the matter to sell them, they pay for themselves. Will not the SIGNS AND REFORMER run the Tract Society hundreds of dollars in debt, as heretofore? We answer emphatically, No, if our brethren and sisters enter cheerfully upon the work of canvassing. The liberal offer which is now made by the Association,—of clubbing the Way of Life, Uses of Water, Sunshine Series, and Life of Urgos, leaves each Conference without excuse in reference to filling its apportionment of subscribers for our periodicals. The Way of Life takes everywhere, and not unfrequently have we seen subscribers obtained with the Way of Life before we have left the churches we have visited. Thousands of names can be obtained and are being obtained in this manner. Sisters in each church should take from eight to fifty copies of the SIGNS to use in loaning to their neighbors and sending to friends far and near. These are paid for in monthly installments through the Tract Society or directly with the SIGNS Office. Thousands of copies should be taken in this manner. HOW SHALL WE SELL THE WAY OF LIFE?
Always for one dollar and nothing less. The price of the REFORMER alone is one dollar. But to obtain new subscribers for the REFORMER, the Way of Life, Uses of Water, and Sunshine Series, are clubbed with it for the price of the REFORMER alone,—one dollar. These premiums are clubbed with the SIGNS OF THE TIMES for two dollars. When you send the SIGNS to your friends without a premium it is $1.50. When you send the REFORMER to your friends it is 60 cts. Why those unacquainted with our views can have the premium with the SIGNS and REFORMER for the price that the brethren pay for them without the premiums. The Association could not afford these liberal offers were it not for the patronage of our brethren at full price. The justness of this must be seen by every one, and be appreciated by every Seventh-day Adventist who has any love for the cause of God and any desire for his neighbors to read on present truth.