At the late camp-meeting in Michigan, a committee was appointed to revise the Constitution of the various Tract Societies. When the Constitution was first gotten up, it was an experiment. It had not been tried. No constitution of any other society was followed. The necessity of the case called for something to be done. After seven years’ experience, it is no marvel that some changes can be made for the better. The Constitution is now presented with slight alterations and explanations, and proposed to the different T. and M. Societies for their consideration, and if they find it unobjectionable, their adoption. In this no one claims perfection. We shall wait a short time before it is put in book form. If any have suggestions to make or questions to ask in reference to the system, the committee will be happy to receive them and give them proper consideration. The basis of this is a plan drawn up by J. E. White, a practical book-keeper at the Signs Office, at the suggestion of the General Conference Committee.
CONSTITUTION.
ARTICLE I. NAME.
This society shall be called the Tract and Missionary Society of the Seventh-day Adventists of the Conference of _____.
ARTICLE II. OFFICERS.
The officers of this society shall be a President; Vice-president; State secretary, who shall also act as Treasurer; and a Board of Directors of _____, of which the President, Vice-president, and State secretary shall, by virtue of their offices, be considered as members. These officers shall be elected yearly. In the district the director shall appoint a secretary, and in each church he shall appoint a librarian. He may also appoint a business agent in large churches where such an officer is needed.
ARTICLE III. OBJECTS.
The objects of this society shall be: 1. The proper distribution of our tracts, pamphlets, and books. 2. To obtain subscribers for our periodicals; to collect dues and renew subscriptions; and to pay subscriptions for the worthy poor. 3. To visit and labor (by correspondence or otherwise) for the encouragement and help of the scattered ones of like precious faith; for those who are falling back because of discouragements; and to interest all within our reach in the great truths connected with the last message of mercy to the world. 4. To find homes for those who may be destitute and needy for the truth’s sake. 5. To bring about among our people that uniform liberality in the payment of Systematic Benevolence which is indicated in the plan, and to encourage equality in the taking of stock in our several denominational institutions, and in donations to other benevolent enterprises which may arise for the advancement of the work.
ARTICLE IV. MEMBERSHIP.
Any person of good standing in a Seventh-day Adventist church, or who is recommended by such a church, may become a member by the payment of one dollar.
ARTICLE V. DUTIES OF OFFICERS.
Section 1. President. The duties of the President shall be (1) To preside over all State or district meetings wherever he may be present; (2) To see that there is a full supply of tracts, books, and papers for the entire State; (3) In fine, to keep his eye on the workings of the society throughout the State, and see that uniformity of action is maintained, and that directors and officers are doing their duty.
Sec. 2. Vice-president. It is the duty of the Vice-president to act in the place of the president in his absence, and to work in connection with the president at his request.
Sec. 3. State Secretary. The State secretary shall keep on hand a full supply of tracts, books, papers, &c., and shall supply the different districts as their wants may require. All the credit business of the State with the offices of publication shall be done through the State secretary, who shall keep an account of all such transactions. In his duty as treasurer he shall receive all moneys from the districts, and from time to time forward the same to the offices of publication as the indebtedness of the society may demand.
Sec. 4. Directors. There shall be a director for each district in the State, and his duties in the district shall be similar to the duties of the president in the State. In the absence of the president and vice-president the director of the district shall preside at all district meetings, and at all church meetings at which he may be present.
Sec. 5. District Secretary. His duties in the district shall be similar to the duties of the State secretary in the State.
Sec. 6. Librarian. His duties in the church shall be similar to the duties of the district secretary in the district. He should preside at all church missionary meetings where the director is not present, or he may request the business agent, or some active member, to preside, when it will be for the interest of the society to do so.
Sec. 7. Business Agent. He shall act as collector for the society.
ARTICLE VI. QUARTERLY MEETINGS.
General quarterly meetings shall be held under the direction of the board of directors, at which time all business of importance that relates to the Tract and Missionary Society, shall be considered.
ARTICLE VII. FUNDS.
The funds to be employed by this society shall consist of the one-third and money received for memberships, book sales, and as free-will offerings.
ARTICLE VIII. MANAGEMENT.
The Board of Directors shall have the general management and oversight of the work of this society, both in disbursing funds and in counseling in regard to labor.
ARTICLE IX. AMENDMENTS.
This Constitution may be amended at any annual meeting, by a vote of two-thirds of the members present.