REPORTING MISSIONARY LABOR.
By M. Wood
As an evidence of what a united and systematic organization can accomplish, we may note the progress of the T. and M. society. Eight years ago it was thought by some an impracticable undertaking, destined to perish in its infancy; but the blessing of God has followed it, and it is now acknowledged to be an indispensable auxiliary in the work of proclaiming the third angel’s message. Many have been brought to a knowledge of the truth through the influence of reading matter distributed by its members. These facts we should not so fully understand were it not for the reporting system. Some of our new-found brethren do not realize the importance of this branch of the work; and we fear that some of the older brethren need to be reminded of their duty. Perhaps there is no one feature of the tract enterprise of greater importance than that of reporting. The reports give life and interest to the meetings. Abandon the reporting system, and you cripple the tract society. If there is no labor reported, no experience related, the meetings will be uninteresting; and it will be utterly impossible for either the president or the directors to give proper instructions relative to labor. By mentioning commendable acts that result in good, we follow the example of Christ and the apostles. In the Bible we have no book of resolutions, but we do have a book of the Acts of the Apostles. The New Testament would lose much of its interest and beauty were its writings confined wholly to doctrinal instruction. No individual is exalted by this system of reporting. The amount of labor performed is, in many instances, known only to the secretary. God’s work alone is magnified; and God is honored, inasmuch as others are provoked to love and good works by the good reports read at our quarterly meetings, where we get a summary of the work done during the quarter. All members of the tract society should keep a record of the number of pages of reading matter distributed, and of any other missionary work they may do. This can easily be done by keeping a small blank book, in which any item of tract labor may be noted down at the time it is done. A record should also be kept of all money paid to the tract society. There are many friends, members of the T. and M. society, who have not seen the utility of reporting. They will manifest a deep interest in the work, scatter our publications, donate quite liberally, and would do nothing to retard the tract work; and yet these very self-sacrificing brethren and sisters are really impeding the work by their failure to report. Their influence would add very much to the upbuilding of the cause could they see the utility of this part of the work. Brethren, “It is high time to awake out of sleep.” If we have adopted a right system, and past results clearly indicate that we have, we should support it. A united effort gives strength and force to any organization. There is no reason why the strength of S. D. Adventists should not be felt in every quarter of the globe. We have a system by which this can be done, and by which it will be done, whether we engage in the work or not. The Lord is witnessing to every step taken for the advancement of his cause. We would say to all, Pull with the body, and we shall see this work move far beyond our most sanguine expectations.