p. 157 | CONSTITUTION OF THE GENERAL TRACT AND MISSIONARY SOCIETY

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 14, 1878

CONSTITUTION OF THE GENERAL TRACT AND MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

By S. N. Haskell; Uriah Smith; W. C. White

At the annual meeting of the General Tract and Missionary Society Sept. 27, 1877, on the Lansing camp-ground, S. N. Haskell, U. Smith, and W. C. White were appointed a committee to revise the Constitution and report at the next annual session. The following was their report, which was adopted at the annual session held in connection with the camp-meeting at Battle Creek, Oct. 8, 1878:—

CONSTITUTION.

ARTICLE I.—NAME.

Section 1. This Society shall be known as the General Tract and Missionary Society of Seventh-day Adventists.

ARTICLE II.—OBJECTS.

Section 1. The objects of this Society are, 1. To take an oversight of the various State tract societies, and to suggest such plans as will secure the best methods for bringing about equality in bearing burdens, and will secure uniformity of action; 2. To secure an extensive and systematic distribution of our publications in foreign countries and those portions of our own land not included in State organizations.

ARTICLE III.—OFFICERS.

Section 1. The officers of this Society shall consist of a President, Vice-president, Secretary (who shall also act as Treasurer), an Assistant Secretary, and an Executive Board of three, of whom the President shall be one. These officers shall be elected at the annual meetings of the Society.

ARTICLE IV.—MEMBERSHIP.

Section 1. All persons paying the sum of ten dollars shall become life members, and shall receive a certificate therefor. They shall also be considered members of any regularly organized tract society of Seventh-day Adventists in any part of the world.

ARTICLE V.—REPRESENTATION.

Section 1. This Society shall be represented by delegates and life members.

Sec. 2. Each State society shall be entitled to as many delegates as there are districts in the State.

Sec. 3. The State officers of any tract and missionary society present shall be considered delegates.

Sec. 4. Any company of Seventh-day Adventists organized according to the plan adopted by our State societies, not included in any Conference tract organization, shall be entitled to one or more delegates, according to the number of districts in the organization.

ARTICLE VI.—FUNDS.

Section 1. The funds of this Society shall consist of receipts for life memberships, one tithe of the receipts of the State societies for their support, and donations from societies and individuals.

ARTICLE VII.—SPECIAL MEETINGS.

Section 1. Special meetings may be called by the Executive Board at such times and places as they shall deem necessary for the interests of the organization.

ARTICLE VIII.—AMENDMENTS.

Section 1. This Constitution may be amended by a two-thirds vote at any annual meeting.