TRACT WORK IN KENTUCKY.
By Maria L. Huntley
We are frequently receiving letters which show an increasing interest in the tract societies, especially on the part of those, who, meeting serious difficulties and obstacles, are putting forth corresponding efforts to overcome them. The following is an extract from a private letter and an account of a meeting recently held by the Elizabethtown (Ky.) church. It is from Sr. Bottie Coombs, secretary of the Kentucky Tract Society. At the time referred to when Eld. Haskell visited this State, the brethren were laboring under great disadvantages, both because of their financial inability and the prejudice so prevalent in the Southern States against our views. Notwithstanding this, the brethren were of good courage, and proposed to supply their lack of means by hard labor. They therefore ordered the number of SIGNS they thought they could use, pledging themselves to obtain a sufficient number of subscribers for the HEALTH REFORMER with the Household Manual, receiving a profit of twenty-five cents on each subscriber, to pay for them in monthly installments. In carrying out this plan they manifested much zeal, and have thus far made it a success. The extract is as follows:— “Three or four weeks ago I was unexpectedly called to my brother’s about forty miles from here, and I spent a part of one week in canvassing. The Lord blessed my efforts far beyond anything I had anticipated. Although I did not have a supply of Household Manuals, etc., I obtained eight subscribers for the REFORMER and six for the INSTRUCTOR. If the Lord opens the way, I design to go back in the fall with a canvasser’s outfit. I never enjoyed so much of the Spirit of God in any week’s work. The seven copies of the SIGNS that I send out I think are doing good. I receive excellent letters in answer to cards I have written. Some have subscribed for the SIGNS, and others are desirous of doing so. “Sabbath, the 22d, the members of the Elizabethtown church met at Nolin. Sr. Williams, recently from Battle Creek, was present. It was truly a feast to our souls, such as is not often enjoyed by us. In the forenoon we had a most excellent prayer and social meeting. The brethren and sisters here are in earnest in the missionary work, and in the afternoon, all gave a synopsis of what they had been enabled to accomplish since Eld. Haskell’s meeting last December. If other churches in this State would put forth as great efforts as this church has done, I am confident that their labor would not be in vain, and that we should see the work moving with great power. Would that I could say or do something to arouse those who are standing with idle hands. Time is short, and, in view of the troublous times ahead of us, should we not, dear brethren and sisters, awake, and do what we can, be it ever so little, to swell the warning note of the approaching end? It is only those that faithfully do their duty in this respect, that can ever share the joys that await the people of God.”