MICHIGAN T. AND M. SOCIETY by J. Fargo; Mrs. S. H. Lane

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 12, 1877

MICHIGAN T. AND M. SOCIETY.

By J. Fargo; Mrs. S. H. Lane

According to appointment, the Michigan Tract and Missionary Society held its third State quarterly meeting for the year at Battle Creek, July 1.

But few were in attendance from abroad. Probably this was owing, in some degree, to a misunderstanding of the time when the meeting was to be held. For the same reason, perhaps, some districts failed to report. However, reports were received from all the districts except three. Reports from ten districts show labor performed as follows:—

No. of families visited, 1210; letters written, 1027; No. of periodicals distributed, 15,079; No. of pages of tracts distributed, 329,289; Almanacs, 3,837; No. of new subscribers obtained for REVIEW, on trial, 109; REFORMER, 49; INSTRUCTOR, 34; SIGNS, 426.

Rec’d for Membership, $107 00 Donations, 291 43 Sales, 41 06 New Subscribers, 77 92 Total, $517 41

The president remarked, in regard to the report, that it compares very favorably with previous reports, but the time to cease our efforts has not yet come. He spoke of the necessity of raising means to carry on the tract and missionary work, and requested that the widow and orphan fund be especially remembered, as there is nothing in the treasury at the present time. He urged that every member of the S. D. Adventist Church in the State become a member of the T. and M. Society, and hoped an effort would be made to this effect.

Remarks were called for, and several responded, by giving statements of labor performed, with encouraging results.

Bro. Sawyer spoke in substance as follows concerning the work at Battle Creek: “The interesting letters which are read here from week to week in the Vigilant T. and M. Society, are inspiring the workers with courage. The work has been quite successful, especially that which has resulted from correspondence with the Southern States. In Georgia, Florida, Alabama and Mississippi there has been a great interest awakened by the circulation of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES. Many inquiries have come in from these and other States, in regard to our views, and many have embraced them and are living out the truth. Respecting the work among the Swedes, to which Bro. S. has given much attention, he says: ‘The prospects are brightening in behalf of this people. Young men are engaging in the work in earnest. From three different Swedish settlements in Michigan have calls come in, saying, “Come over and help us.” There is also a call from Wisconsin, one from Dakota, where there were six counties of Scandinavians, one from Iowa, one from Illinois, and one from Kansas. The Swede who sent in the call from Dakota was a member of the State Legislature, and a Sabbath-keeper. From these different Macedonian cries among the Swedes we venture to predict advancement of the truth. Several Swedes in Maine and Michigan have lately embraced the truth from reading. From the manner in which this work is advancing, we conclude that it is of the Lord, and must go forward to complete victory, and blessed is the man who will take hold to help.’”

Several reports have been received from churches and individuals taking packages of SIGNS for distribution. They show activity and courage in the missionary work, and some good results of labor. One secretary writes: “We do not feel discouraged in the least, that is, like ceasing to work. Sometimes when no cheering intelligence is received, it makes us sad; yet we feel it is good, very good, to do all we can, leaving the rest to our God. May he help us all, all who have the name, to be indeed ‘vigilant’ and prayerful.”

J. FARGO, Pres.

MRS. S. H. LANE, Sec.