GENERAL TRACT AND MISSIONARY SOCIETY.
By S. N. Haskell
As but little has been said in reference to this organization, it may be well here to state something of its nature and object, and the work it is now doing. This society seeks to enter new fields outside of any State tract society, in all parts of the civilized world where the languages are spoken in which our publications are written, and to thus awaken an interest in present truth. During the past year, publications have been sent into these fields, also thousands of periodicals to different parts of the South. More than one hundred ships sailing to different parts of the world have been visited and supplied with packages of publications, consisting of periodicals and a general assortment of tracts. Bound books have also been used to some extent. This society has sent quantities of reading matter to Europe, Asia, Africa, and to the islands of the sea. We have been led to rejoice in learning of a goodly number who have embraced the truth as the result of these efforts; and some are preaching it who have never seen a Seventh-day Adventist. One man from Africa writes in substance as follows: “I have embraced your views, and am preaching the same. Individuals embrace the Sabbath and want to be baptized, but I have never been baptized myself. What shall I do?” We have corresponded with steamers running from Boston to Liverpool; Buffalo to Chicago, etc. Some of these lines have agreed to furnish a book-case and take the best care of the publications which we might present to them. Our means limit us very much in this work. Ten thousand dollars should be received before New Year's, 1879, on life memberships. When a person becomes a life member, he will receive a certificate signifying that he is a tract society member, which certificate will be recognized wherever Seventh-day Adventists are known. Those wishing to become life members can forward their address in full to the office of the REVIEW AND HERALD, accompanied with ten dollars, or they can pay the money to the society to which they belong. Certificates, properly signed, will be forwarded as soon as issued. About fifty have already given their names as life members.