HOW SHOULD IT BE? by Addie S. Bowen

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 15, 1878

HOW SHOULD IT BE?

By Addie S. Bowen

Some there are among us who wonder why there need be so much systematic arrangement about a tract society. They think the business might and should be done with less writing and labor. Now the wonder to me is, how these friends would have it; and also if these are not the very persons, who, though they belong to the society and have some interest in it, do in one way or another clog the wheels. One way in which they do this is, by making no report of their labor. Another is by sending the report so very late, that the anxiety of the officers is taxed to the last degree, fearing theirs will be too late for the Extra, if they wait to get reports from all the members, as they so much wish to do. But another and still worse way to clog the wheels is to talk doubt and distrust, so that the weight of their influence is against the workings and officers of the society.

So we come again to the question, which those who do not like the present system should answer; for all must agree that we must have order. Without a system, how would you get the books, tracts, and periodicals from the Office to those who wish to use them, how get the pay, and keep the business straight with the offices at Battle Creek and Oakland?

Very likely you who see faults in the present arrangement, do not fully know what it is, nor the disadvantages which your servants, the officers, labor under; but if you do or do not, who of you will undertake the work of perfecting a plan that shall meet the needs of each member, one by which the business can be more easily and quickly, and yet at the same time accurately, done with the offices, and thus please everybody?

Who can hope to do this? You reply, No one. Then is it consistent for you to expect it of others, and if not, why not look for the good and work in harmony?

If every member of the tract society could only realize the good that might be done by harmonious, united effort in this branch of the work of spreading the precious truths of the third angel's message, the differences of opinion that now hinder would vanish as night before the morning sun. Let those who see obstacles in the way go with them to none but the Lord, who understands the whole matter, and ask him to open their eyes as to the right course to pursue, and for the spirit of our Saviour in carrying out the object for which the tract society was formed, namely, the spreading of the truth. He “went about doing good,” also received “all who came unto him” for help, with loving interest, and made them feel that he did really care for and love them. If we do this, we shall meet the true object of life. May the Lord help us to work faithfully during the short time that yet remains. Soon the night cometh.

ADDIE S. BOWEN.

Sinclairville, N. Y., July 17, 1878.