WHAT IS IMPORTANT by Maria L. Huntley

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 21, 1879

WHAT IS IMPORTANT.

By Maria L. Huntley

As the various enterprises connected with the cause of present truth are becoming established upon a permanent basis, it is important that all moves relating to them should be made with discretion. Although the best system will eventually be developed by experience, the nearer this can be attained to at first, the less occasion there will be for discouragement and failure. As a people we already have numerous organizations, requiring officers and special regulations. It is therefore desirable that as little form and ceremony be connected with each as possible, and the object of the organization be secured. At the same time, if the interests of these organizations, especially those pertaining to finances, are not guarded by definite rules or regulations, the societies will become involved. This is especially true of the tract societies. Suppose for instance that in each of the church societies the librarian, through inattention, fails, to the amount of two dollars during the year, of collecting all the dues of his society on periodicals or book sales, (and we fear it would average more than this), there would be a total loss of one thousand dollars to the societies. This would be quite an item to the Publishing Association. It would pay for a large amount of publications. Hence, we say that the librarians should do their business so that district and State officers can know that there is no such waste of means. Small leaks soon sink a ship. We cannot afford to raise money by donations to supply such deficiencies.

The business of our tract societies is rapidly increasing, and it requires system and accuracy. What business man doing a business of from $30,000 to $50,000 dollars per year, through several hundred people, would ask less of them, by way of keeping accounts, reporting, etc., than is required of T. and M. officers? Further than this, if the leading officers understand perfectly what is being done throughout the society, they can act far more understandingly, in promoting its interests, than if they do not. To illustrate: In Eld. Canright's article, “Matters in Ohio,” in a recent number of the REVIEW, he gives the proportion of brethren in that State who are paying their tithes, and other matters which show that he knows who the brethren are, where they live, how much property they possess, what they pay on S. B. and other enterprises, etc. This knowledge enables him to act understandingly, and if there is any deficiency to know where it is, and how to remedy it. The same principle applies to T. and M. officers. It is true that our secretaries could perform the duties usually assigned to such officers in other societies without this knowledge; but if they are expected to labor for the interests of this society it is indispensable.

In most cases the president of the tract society is so fully occupied in other departments of the work that he depends upon the State secretary for much of the information he has respecting the society. Besides, there is a liability that these men will be called into other Conferences, and if they have carried the whole burden of the tract work, and the State secretary has had no experience except in doing the business that has come into his hands, the society is left in a bad condition when they go elsewhere, and a heavy, unnecessary burden is thrown upon the new president. If there be no permanent district officers, the matter is still worse. Again, in those societies conducted on this plan, it is impossible to secure an immediate and successful co-operation in special enterprises which from time to time demand attention. It is one object of the General T. and M. organization to bring such matters before the various societies, and to suggest what may seem the most feasible plan of operation. Some societies are always ready to co-operate in such enterprises, and we have observed that it is those where the State secretary is best informed, and most actively engaged in the work. Others do not respond to any suggestion made. To fully carry out the object of the T. and M. organization requires an active and harmonious co-operation between all the officers connected with it. If one remains inactive, so far the object is defeated. If this officer be a State secretary, the work is hindered in the whole State; if he be a district officer, the district is affected; if a librarian, the church society. These officers are stationed in every part of the country, and if they could feel the importance of keeping up the work in their several localities, and of being ready to act when new enterprises are presented, the power of the tract societies would be second to no other, in carrying forward the cause of truth.

In conclusion, the following points are important. 1. That all business of the society be conducted on a general plan, having such definite regulations as will insure accuracy and promptness. 2. That the State secretaries be those who can and will labor personally to promote the interests of the society, having a practical knowledge of its workings. 3. That there be a confidential correspondence and co-operation between all the officers of the organization.

MARIA L. HUNTLEY.