Quarterly Meetings by A. S. Hutchins

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 13, 1878

Quarterly Meetings.

By A. S. Hutchins

THE importance of uniformity in all our State Conferences in holding quarterly meetings has been repeatedly set before us by the General Conference Committee. So far as the different churches and T. and M. societies have adopted this plan, I believe they regard the practice proper and beneficial. The great difficulty of traveling in our State the first of April, and indeed the almost impossibility of getting together in some localities, to some extent disarranged these meetings with us the present quarter. This we feel to regret, and hope hereafter that each church and T. and M. district will make it a point to act in harmony with the recommendations of those who have spoken on the subject.

The spiritual interests of the churches demand these meetings, and the local and general interest of the T. and M. society will be promoted by the meetings for the advancement of the work in this branch. The time for the next quarterly meetings hastens on, and will soon come. How much work will the reports show done for the Lord? How many reports from a membership of 261 will be returned? How many families will be visited, talked with on the subject of salvation, and prayed with? How many letters bearing words of love, hope, and good cheer to the lonely ones, words calculated to win those to the truth who know it not, will be written? How many new subscribers for our periodicals will be obtained? And how many tracts, pamphlets, books, and periodicals will be distributed? What will be the record of means gathered and saved for the advancement of the great work as it is borne on to “many peoples, and nations, and tongues”? And what shall be the spiritual advancement of each one of us, dear brethren and sisters? We may grow in grace, and in the knowledge of the truth. Faithful and true will be the record of all these things kept on high. A. S. HUTCHINS.

May 28, 1878.