p. 2 | WISCONSIN T. AND M. SOCIETY

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

WISCONSIN T. AND M. SOCIETY.

By H. W. Decker; Mattie Kerr

The State quarterly meeting of this society was held at Oakland, Jan. 27, at 9 A. M. President in the chair. Prayer by Eld. Haskell. Six directors were present, and ten churches were well represented. The minutes of the previous quarterly meeting were read and accepted.

This society did not receive the premiums and Annuals until nearly January, 1878; hence the reports fell far below what they otherwise would have been. The following is a summary of labor performed during the quarter ending Jan. 1, 1878:—

No. families visited, 540 “ letters written, 240 “ new subscribers for periodicals, 109 “ periodicals sent on trial, 128 “ periodicals distributed, 2,204 “ Annuals distributed, 1,500 “ tracts and pamphlets distributed, 90,611 Received for membership, $3.25 By donation, 146.32 From book sales, 39.00 “ new subscribers, 19.20 For widows and orphans, 1.50

The treasurer’s report is as follows:— Received from ex-treasurer, $35.00 “ during the quarter, 310.29 Total, $345.29 Paid out, $193.33 Balance on hand, $151.96 Received on general fund, $61.00 On hand, $61.00

The subject of camp-meetings for the present year was introduced. After remarks by Eld. Haskell, in reference to the good results of these meetings and the necessity for laying broader plans than we have in the past, it was recommended that we hold two camp-meetings the coming season; one in the spring, at which time the business of the Conference may be attended to, and one in the fall. At the meeting in the fall, the plans for tract work during the winter could be considered. It was voted to hold the annual meeting of the Wisconsin T. and M. Society in connection with the fall camp-meeting, at which time the election of officers will take place.

The president, being authorized to do so, appointed C. W. Olds, A. Patten, and M. E. Crandall, a committee to secure a general attendance of directors at the annual meeting. Eld. O. A. Olsen, R. Baker, and H. A. Anderson were appointed a committee on resolutions. Adjourned to call of Chair.

SECOND SESSION.

This session was opened with prayer by Bro. Olsen.

After remarks on the utility of taking clubs of the SIGNS, the papers to be used in obtaining interested readers, it was voted that we recommend all our churches and isolated brethren to take copies of the SIGNS on the installment plan, and where it is consistent, have these clubs sent to one address. Those thus taking the SIGNS, after obtaining interested readers, can, if they choose, have the papers transferred to these persons.

Adjourned to 9 A. M., Monday.

THIRD SESSION.

Prayer by Eld. Haskell.

Voted, That we recommend all our churches to secure the new Church Record and S. B. Books.

Voted, That we pay the secretary $35.00 for past services.

The Committee on Resolutions reported as follows:—

Whereas, Our S. B. is not sufficient to meet the wants of the Conference, owing, in part, to the fact that some of our brethren do not pay their pledges, and largely to the fact that they do not come up to the Bible plan, therefore,

Resolved, That we recommend that immediate steps be taken by the Conference Committee to assist our brethren in re-organizing their S. B. according to the tithing system, as recommended by the General Conference.

Resolved, That we recommend that our ministers and licentiates be paid in proportion to the benefit they have been to the cause in increasing its membership and replenishing its treasury.

These resolutions were unanimously adopted.

The committee to devise means to secure full attendance of directors, reported as follows:—

We recommend the president and directors to take such steps as, in their judgment, may seem the most proper under the circumstances.

The attendance of our brethren was as good as at any tract society meeting ever held in the State. Indications are plain that the interest in the tract work is increasing. As Bro. Haskell spoke with much freedom of the great work before us, the progress the truth is making, in this and in foreign lands, and clearly pointed out our duties in the tract work, and especially in coming up to the Bible standard of paying S. B., nearly all testified that they never saw the light shine out so clear before. The meeting on Monday evening was one of especial interest. It continued from six till ten o’clock, and as the brethren parted to go to their homes, all seemed to be inspired with new determinations to enter the work with greater zeal than ever before.

H. W. Decker, Pres. Mattie Kerr, Sec.