TRACT MEETING IN ROCHESTER, IND.
By S. N. Hassell
The weather being warm, Friday, Nov. 30, the roads were exceedingly bad; yet a goodly number of churches were represented at this meeting. There was much interest manifested by those present in drawing nearer to God, and understandingly giving themselves to his service. This is a young Conference, and the brethren, who are usually poor, have felt that they could do but little in the missionary cause. But when they came to realize the benefit derived from the circulation of THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES, THE HEALTH REFORMER, Health Annuals, &c., the interest here was as great to do what they could as at any place I have visited. One sister had already canvassed a large portion of the town of Rochester, and supplied most of the families with the Annual, receiving twice the cost of them in nearly every instance. They were anxious to enlarge their club for the SIGNS; but how to pay for them was the question. Five hundred copies of the SIGNS should be taken in this State, in clubs, by the different churches, which would be less than thirty-five copies to each church. Then from these various churches and individuals the SIGNS would find its way to every county and town in the Conference. Their systematic benevolence is about $1000; therefore the one-third is only a little more than $300, and the cost of five hundred copies of the SIGNS is $750. Then again they need this one-third for the purchase of tracts. The liberal offer made by the publishers of the REFORMER, with reference to the Household Manual when used in canvassing for the REFORMER, inspired them with courage. They immediately ordered two hundred copies in addition to the three hundred I brought them. With these, each church commences canvassing at once for the REFORMER. Every subscription thus obtained puts twenty-five cents, at least, into the funds of the tract society. Now if a church should obtain twenty subscribers per week (and this is below the average number of subscribers obtained by those who devote their time to canvassing), it would give their church tract fund five dollars per week or twenty dollars per month, and this would pay for one hundred and sixty copies of the SIGNS in monthly installments. Rochester leads off in this matter, taking one hundred Manuals. This church also organizes a Vigilant Society, and adds quite a number of copies of the SIGNS to its present club, designing to increase the number as the members obtain experience in the work. Every member in this church who obtains at least six subscribers for the REFORMER, will pay for one copy of the SIGNS one year. Some will obtain more, while others who can devote more time to canvassing, can obtain scores. This, in addition to the one-third, will enable them to send the light of truth into thousands of families during the year. This same spirit diffused throughout the entire Conference would place Indiana in advance of any other Conference of its size in the country. This they are determined to do, by the grace of God. We bid them a hearty God-speed. The brethren returned to their homes greatly encouraged, feeling that God had met with them, and that he would be with them in their labors. S. N. Hassell.