PLAN OF WORK by Maria L. Huntley

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 29, 1877

PLAN OF WORK.

By Maria L. Huntley

The query may arise, How shall we take hold of the work, and what shall we do first? It is well understood that the distribution of the Annuals must principally be done within two months; yet they can be disposed of during the first three months of 1878. A special effort should be made to canvass towns and cities with the Annuals immediately.

The youth and children should be encouraged to commence at once on the YOUTH'S INSTRUCTOR. More can be accomplished between now and January than three months afterward; for during this time we have the holidays. The “Poem” should first be read, and then the canvasser will be prepared to speak of its merits from personal knowledge.

Subscribers can be obtained for the REFORMER and the SIGNS during the whole year, but more especially when the farmer gets his fall work done, and wants something to read during the long winter evenings. There are more than five hundred men and women among Seventh-day Adventists, who, with the Manual, could go out and procure from twenty to thirty subscribers per week, and thus earn from $1.50 to $2.50 per day this winter, and the same during the summer months in the cities. In short, a good livelihood could be obtained from one year's end to the other. This some are doing; therefore we are speaking simply of what we know from a practical demonstration.

The taking of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES in clubs, and then sending to friends, loaning to your neighbors, and when once they have become interested, offering them the Way of Life as a premium to induce them to subscribe for it, proved to be successful last year. For this purpose there were not less than 3,500 copies of the Way of Life thus used by the tract societies. A thousand cities and villages in this country should be canvassed this winter. Those who canvass on a per cent will take cities and villages, and go to every house. They should make thorough work. If a paper is published in the place, make the editor a present of the Manual, and make known to him your business. By pursuing a proper course, the press will speak in your favor, which will aid you very much.

For those who simply canvass around as they get time, the ground should all be laid out, so that the same persons may not be called upon by two or three different individuals. If agents wish to sell the Way of Life exclusively, they will be charged $1.00, 40 per cent off.

sold or given; and finally the number of pages of tracts and pamphlets given and loaned.

Having done this, at the close of the quarter it will be a very easy matter to add up the various sums and carry the amounts to their proper places on the blank report. First, give the number of your district and the date when the quarter ends. At the right of “For Membership,” under “Dollars and Cents,” place as many dollars as you have induced individuals to join the society, also one for yourself if you have joined during the quarter. At the right of “Donations Received,” place what may have been paid you by others as donations to the society during this time. At the right of “Book Sales,” all that you have received from the sale of tract and missionary books, including Annuals; of “New Subscribers,” all that you have received for new subscribers to our periodicals. Every tract society member is an authorized agent to sell books, obtain subscribers for periodicals, &c., for the society, and is expected to act in that capacity as far as circumstances admit. At the right of “My Donation” place the amount you have donated to the society during the quarter, including the one-third. All this money should be paid to the librarian or district secretary before, or at the time the report is sent in, so that the reports and the money received will agree.

Under “Periodicals,” the space at the left of their names, under “Number,” is designed for the number of paying subscribers obtained for each; at the left, the number of copies sent on trial and paid for by individuals or the society. “Periodicals Given” should include every number of S. D. Adventist periodicals given separately; “Almanacs,” the Annuals sold or given. It is not necessary to give the value of tracts, pamphlets, &c. distributed. Only the number of pages is necessary, which should be set down at the right of “Tracts and Pamphlets Distributed,” under “No. of Pages.” Any additional item can be written on the margin, or on the back side of the report. The Secretary's Abstract is intended for the district secretaries.

We cannot think that there is a single tract society member, who, during thirteen long weeks, at this important time, does not make even one missionary visit, write one letter of encouragement, distribute a single tract or paper, or in some other way do something in the missionary work; and we dislike to think that there will be any who will fail to see the importance of reporting, or, who seeing, will be negligent in the performance of this duty. Facts which are brought to light call for a radical reform in this respect. It is among the “few things” which, if we are faithful in, will not fail to bring a reward in the kingdom of God.

MARIA L. HUNTLEY.