OBJECT OF THE MEETINGS IN IOWA by Dudley Marvin Canright

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 14, 1878

OBJECT OF THE MEETINGS IN IOWA.

By Dudley Marvin Canright

Dear Brethren and Sisters in Iowa: After an absence of six years, it is my privilege again to visit Iowa, and labor a few weeks among you. I can spend just four weeks, and probably no more. I have tried to place my meetings so as to reach the majority of the friends in the State, if you will make a proper effort to come out.

Now I earnestly hope that you will not stay away because it is a little inconvenient to attend these meetings; do not let a little mud, or rain, or perhaps home affairs keep you away. This may be the last time I shall ever see you. I feel very anxious to help you, and the cause in that State, particularly my old friends where I formerly labored. I should like to attend your camp-meeting; but this is out of the question, hence I come now.

The object which I have in view is, as far as possible, to prepare the brethren for an energetic summer's campaign. I wish to see every preacher, and every young man or woman that means to labor at all in the cause this coming summer, not only as ministers, but with tent companies or in the tract work. Doubtless there are many persons who ought to be at work in the field in some manner, who are not. We would urge our brethren, therefore, to look up all such persons, and be sure to have them at the meeting.

I shall be prepared to tell you all about our excellent school in Battle Creek, and make arrangements with any who wish to attend; all about our Sanitarium, and matters connected with it; and all about our publishing work. If any wish places in any of these institutions, they can talk with me about it.

Several missions are opening up before us. We must have means and men for these. I want to talk about this. Also one special object is to look up our clerks' and systematic records, and give thorough instruction about the way to keep them correctly.

We want to have a long talk with all tent companies and lecturers about the proper manner to conduct a course of meetings. These will be important things to see to.

Our meetings will commence Friday evening; and hold four days, closing Wednesday morning. Let all come prepared to stay that length of time, particularly those who are, or intend to become, officers in any branch of the work. Monday and Tuesday we shall spend instructing the brethren about their duties in various branches of the work.

We will name those whom we wish to be there: 1. clerks; 2. S. B. treasurers; 3. deacons; 4. elders; 5. Sabbath-school teachers; 6. Sabbath-school superintendents; 7. T. and M. librarians; 8. T. and M. secretaries; 9. T. and M. directors; 10. canvassers; 11. preachers; 12. tent masters; 13. tent helpers. Monday and Tuesday will be spent wholly with these persons, in thoroughly instructing them in the duties of their offices, and how to carry them out. Let every clerk bring his book, every systematic treasurer, his book, and the T. and M. officers their books. We want to examine them. We shall have practical lessons in keeping these books. We shall have an illustration of organizing a church, receiving and expelling members, collecting and disbursing T. and M. money, &c. These may seem to be small matters; but they are important matters when they are considered all over the field. Indeed, I think we will dignify our meetings with the name of Officers' Institute. If it is found that two days are not sufficient, we will lengthen the time. Remember the places of meeting are Osceola, State Center, Sigourney, and one other place to be appointed farther in the West. Bro. Farnsworth will be with me.

May the Lord bless Iowa.

D. M. Canright.