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

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 7, 1878

MICH. T. AND M. SOCIETY.

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

This society held its State quarterly meeting at Battle Creek on the eve of Jan. 19, 1878. The report of the meeting held in July was read and approved. No meeting was held at the close of the last quarter, and the reports sent in at that time were included in the annual report of the annual meeting. Reports show labor performed during the last quarter as follows:—

Number of members, 1,482 “ “ families visited, 1,178 “ “ letters written, 1,381 “ “ new members, 72 “ “ new subscribers, 174 “ “ Periodicals distributed, 12,693 “ “ Annuals “ 7,276 “ “ pages tracts and pamphlets distributed, 280,914 Received for membership, $72.00 “ “ by donations, 406.50 “ “ from book sales, 207.29 “ “ new subscribers, 77.72 Total money received, $763.51

The president then made some remarks, urging the members in their labor to scatter publications not to forget that means are needed to carry on the work. Eld. M. B. Miller spoke of the blessedness of giving, the privilege of thus transferring our possessions to the world to come, and the present joy of showing the truth to others. Several directors related experience in the tract and missionary work in a lively manner. All seemed to feel the duty of scattering the truth among the people, and to realize the magnitude of their work.

Sunday morning a meeting was held in which the president stated the design of the one-third. On account of the failure of some of the members to carry out the plan, it has proved insufficient for all missionary purposes, and he recommended that in paying for the SIGNS the installment plan be adopted in a majority of cases; until harmony shall prevail in coming up to the plan.

W. C. White spoke in regard to the premiums which had been prepared for extending the circulation of the REFORMER, INSTRUCTOR, and SIGNS. He stated that the missionary work, once so small and limited in its provisions, was becoming adapted to the wants of all ages and classes, and that the Publishing Association intends to provide for its growing needs, so that none need find an excuse not to work. The HAROLD and TIDENDE have also been provided with a premium—the Way of Life, with the key translated into each language. Thus all branches are brought together in the same work.

Sunday evening another meeting was held in the interests of missionary work. At a previous meeting of the directors, the “proposed constitution” had been carefully revised, and at this meeting was adopted.

After remarks concerning the necessity of means to carry on the work of the General Tract and Missionary Society, sister M. L. Huntley was requested to state some results of the work performed by the New England Society. She responded briefly by referring to the change in the sentiments of the people that has taken place in that Conference, as the result of the distribution of reading matter, since the organization of the tract society there. She also stated that reading matter had been distributed without regard to Conference limits and with like results, especially in other countries and the Southern States, until the society is unable to supply the demand for publications, its expenditures having exceeded, during the past year, the whole amount of systematic benevolence raised by the Conference during that time.

Eld. U. Smith gave some of the workings of the V. M. Society of Battle Creek, by reading a report of what has been done since its commencement; he also read very interesting letters received by members of the society.

It was decided by the directors that an effort should be made throughout the State to collect means for the widow and orphan fund, as there are some worthy demands upon this fund and nothing in the treasury to meet them. It was also decided by the directors to hold the next quarterly meeting at Battle Creek.

J. FARGO, Pres.

MRS. S. H. LANE, Sec.