TRACT WORK IN THE KENTUCKY AND TENNESSEE CONFERENCE.
By Stephen N. Haskell
The brethren in this Conference labor under some disadvantages which do not exist in the Northern States, arising chiefly from ignorance, and prejudice against northern men and northern publications. But in every community men and women are found who keep themselves informed in regard to what is going on, and such persons have great influence over the other class. As soon as the people learn that our message does not make war upon their political institutions, and that our publications do not breed political strife, there are hearts here that are as tender and as susceptible to the truth as can be found in any place, and the people are as willing to investigate as they are anywhere in the world. This Conference is small, numbering less than one hundred members, having only six churches (and these are much scattered), besides many scattered brethren. Our meetings, both in Kentucky and Tennessee, were characterized with much of the good Spirit. The brethren and sisters generally, manifested more than a willingness to come up in the work; they showed a strong desire to do so. We never saw brethren more earnest to take hold in the missionary work in such a manner that God could bless their efforts. In the past, like many other Conferences, they had felt they were poor and few in numbers, and that with the prejudice that existed they could accomplish nothing. This feeling often becomes chronic, and is seen in the small ideas brethren have of the work. If they send an order for books, it will be for twenty-five or fifty dollars' worth, whereas it should be for five hundred or a thousand dollars' worth. We would not encourage wild or reckless moves, but we see no reason why we cannot as well begin to calculate what we can do, as to be always talking about what we can't do. When the missionary work was set before the friends, and they began to see what might be done, their talk had the right ring in it. They were anxious to commence their work immediately. Over fifty copies of the SIGNS were taken at our meetings. Five of the six churches were represented in taking them. These copies of the SIGNS will be paid for in monthly installments, unless it is done sooner by canvassing for the HEALTH REFORMER with the premium, which probably will be the case, as they thus gain twenty-five cents for each paying subscriber. There was a determination on the part of each to pay their share by obtaining subscribers in this way. Tennessee took the largest number; and from the first day's canvassing, before the Manuals had been received, or the friends had reached their homes, nearly a sufficient number of subscribers for the REFORMER were obtained to pay their first monthly installment. It was thus in Kentucky. In fact, the brethren in Tennessee are determined to pay for three months in this manner, before their quarterly meeting in January. They take five hundred Manuals, one hundred copies of the Way of Life, and seventy-five premiums for the INSTRUCTOR. If they continue as they have commenced, and we believe they will, they will use their premiums for the REFORMER and INSTRUCTOR before April, 1878. And if this Conference can do this, there is not another Conference in the country that cannot do twice that amount. We do not know what our strength would be were we to labor unselfishly, with faith in God. This is God's work, and it is He who gives success. But when the efforts put forth are prompted by selfish motives, or are made in a doubting, questioning manner, discouragement and defeat are sure to follow. The brethren are already agitating the question of thoroughly canvassing some city with the REFORMER and SIGNS, with the view to having a camp-meeting near by in 1878. We bid them a hearty God-speed, and wish them success.