Scandinavian Mission Labor Report from Eld. Matteson
By Maria L. Huntley
In addition to the above summary, we have received the following report of labor performed in the Scandinavian kingdom, from Eld. Matteson. “Since October last we have obtained about 500 subscribers for the Tidernes Tegn, and quite a number for the Advent Tidende. During the past two years we have sold tracts to the amount of $382.70, also single numbers of our paper, since January, amounting to $82.70, and have given away enough to make a total distribution of about 20,000 copies. The pages of tracts distributed are about 128,000.” This large amount of work has been performed by Bro. Matteson and those associated with him in the Scandinavian mission. Many and serious hindrances are experienced in establishing the tract and missionary work in most European countries, as it is carried forward in this, still, the zeal and earnestness of our brethren there seem destined to overbalance4their difficulties. Local organizations have already been effected to some extent, in Switzerland, and steps are about being taken toward the same in Italy, Norway, and Denmark. The report from the few missionary workers in England speaks for itself, and for them. Respecting the summary of labor performed in our own country, but little need be said. The most unfavorable part of the year for missionary operations is now past, and we shall expect, as the work opens this fall, that the missionary workers will engage in it with renewed courage and energy. Please all read Sr. White’s address in the new T. and M. Constitution. Perhaps a word on finances will not be out of place. Most societies have pledges due this fall on the reserve fund, which should be collected. When each society has the sum it has voted to raise for this fund, on hand either in cash or publications, and all feel the importance of meeting the current expenses of the society, either by the one-third or donations, in advance or at the time they were incurred, the tract societies will be placed on a firm financial basis. Members should not be made to feel that they must pay for just the publications they use, no more and no less; and some church societies may need to be favored in this respect, by those more favorably situated. Disregarding all unpaid pledges and accounts with districts, and only including accounts with the publishing houses, cash and publications on hand, and a few personal accounts, the following is as accurate a statement as we can make, from reports received of the reserve fund on hand in the following societies: Ohio, $281.00; Nebraska, $68.07; Iowa, $65.94; Vermont, $127.06; New England, $997.44. The following, considered on this basis, are a little in arrears: Kentucky and Tennessee, $44.74; Illinois, $77.88; Missouri, $440.75; Minnesota, $264.33; Kansas, $849.00; Quebec is about even. Other societies have not reported. Whatever has been paid to the Signs Office on clubs of Signs more than has been received from these clubs (some societies have paid for the whole year), would also properly be included in the reserve fund, but we have no means of ascertaining the amount. MARIA L. HUNTLEY, Sec. Gen. T. and M. Society. NOTE.—The California report is given only in the summary, it having appeared in full in the Signs, where all the tract and missionary workers have doubtless seen it.