WHAT SHALL BE DONE FOR OUR TRACT SOCIETIES?
By S. N. Haskell
WHAT THE TRACT SOCIETIES CAN DO.
As a general thing, we as a people have no definite idea of the amount of successful labor that can be performed by our tract and missionary societies, if the labor is performed with an unselfish spirit and in a systematic manner. We say systematic; for if there is a lack of system, confusion and discouragement will inevitably follow. To show what can be done with our periodicals, we have only to refer to churches where clubs of the Signs have been taken and systematically used. There is not a V. M. society in the country that has had proper instruction, that cannot testify to what I here say. It has been repeatedly demonstrated that from six to ten sisters, with the co-operation of their husbands, can use from two to four hundred copies of the Signs of the Times weekly in securing interested readers. With these they will find readers for about as many tracts and pamphlets. Much of this reading matter will be paid for by those receiving it. This plan is not an untried scheme. Ten years’ experience has proved it to be the most successful method of missionary labor, in the absence of regular colportage and canvassing. There are over five hundred churches and companies of Sabbath-keepers, besides hundreds of isolated individuals of our faith, who would gladly take hold of this kind of labor if properly instructed. We make a special effort, and secure ten thousand subscribers for the Signs, in clubs, to be used in this manner; but fifty thousand copies might as well be used as one-fifth that number if the same efforts were put forth by all our people that are being put forth by a few who are taking hold of this work. Give me fifty churches with fifteen devoted souls in each, so situated that they can have weekly meetings; give them the blessing of God and the means to pay for periodicals, and I will warrant a distribution of ten thousand copies of any pioneer paper. These ten thousand copies will enter five hundred thousand families during the year. The labor would be performed by those who attend to their household duties, and who cannot leave home to do missionary work. We therefore unhesitatingly say, We do not know our strength. HOW CAN THIS BE BROUGHT ABOUT?
By the co-operation of all our ministers and leading brethren and sisters. The majority of our people say, “Tell us how, and we are ready to do.” We see no reason why a minister who labors to bring people into the truth should not, as far as possible, present them perfect before God. He should not only give them instructions in regard to a proper observance of the Sabbath and kindred duties, but he should also instruct them respecting the plan of systematic benevolence for the support of the cause generally, and endeavor to impress upon their minds the necessity of heartily engaging in labor for the salvation of others. If the minister is laboring in our established churches, he should make it his business to see that they come up on these points. I can see no reason why the sisters should not use their influence to assist in organizing clubs of Signs throughout the country, and especially in the sections where they live, since the labor performed by these societies is mostly done by them. By properly instructing the people upon this subject, so that we can all work in harmony. If we simply get our brethren to subscribe for a club of the Signs, without any idea how to successfully carry on the work, one-half of the members will become more or less discouraged because of the difficulties which they meet; the Signs are laid upon the shelf, and paying for them becomes a burden. Therefore we say that the people must be instructed, line upon line, and precept upon precept; here a little, and there a little. In fact, these things should be before the mind constantly. Ministers and tract officers especially, should all be prepared to co-operate in this interest, as well as every other which will build our people up in the most holy faith. 1. We propose to keep writing upon this subject; and 2. To have a less number of general meetings, and to have them hold longer in one place and take more of an educational or disciplinary form. Instead of holding meetings one week in a place, we suggest the plan of holding them two or three weeks. At these meetings we want to see a large attendance of all those interested in the missionary work. The instruction given will relate to this enterprise in all its phases; canvassing, colportage, clubbing the Signs, and such organizations as are necessary in the various branches of our work. It will also embrace the Sabbath-school interest, systematic benevolence, etc. In addition to the above, there will be regular preaching upon practical subjects. We are exceedingly anxious to see more accomplished than ever has been by our brethren and sisters in the missionary work. There is a sphere for the minister to fill. He has a special field of labor, and he should be an instructor to the people in all that pertains to practical piety and the building up of the cause of Christ upon the earth. He should exemplify all these principles in his life. But our brethren and sisters situated under varied circumstances in life need a field of labor adapted to their circumstances; so that while they follow their respective vocations, laboring with their hands, they may, in a special sense, be co-laborers with Christ and his angels in the salvation of precious souls. Our brethren in many Conferences are doing nobly in raising a tract fund, that they may be free from embarrassment. Shall not the Conference year of 1878–79 witness an advance movement such as we have never before experienced in this work?