TRACT OFFICERS by S. N. Haskell

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 28, 1879

TRACT OFFICERS.

By S. N. Haskell

NOTWITHSTANDING the duties of tract officers are fully explained in the Constitution, which should be read by every S. D. Adventist, it may be proper to make some general statements which will be of interest to all the societies.

An active president who fully comprehends the wants of the cause in all its branches, exercises a molding influence upon the society. But to have a society that can carry out every plan of the General Conference and respond to every call, in short, to be prepared for any advance move the providence of God may indicate, will require a full quota of officers properly educated, who understand their business.

There are no officers upon whom the success of a society so much depends as upon the secretaries, and of these the State secretary is first in importance. A tract society will be more efficient with a poor president than with a poor State secretary. It is the same with the districts. An active district secretary will accomplish much in giving life to the work and keeping it up, even if the director is not as active as he should be. The director in some cases has largely done the work of the secretary in the district, and in such cases he should be able to devote his entire time to it, especially if there are several churches in his district. The brethren and sisters will have to be continually reminded of their duty, and encouraged to move forward. A healthy tract society is not one that acts upon impulse, but one that is ever ready to move at a moment's call, so that every branch of the work can be built up together. This will require constant effort on the part of the officers.

The director sustains the same relation to the district that the president does to the State. Librarians are also secretaries, filling the office of secretary, librarian, and treasurer, in the churches. The secretaries should not feel that their duties are performed when the regular routine of business which comes before them is done. If the missionary work prospers, there must be devotion to the cause on the part of the officers. They must reach out and anticipate the wants of the society, and incite the members to activity. It is in this manner that the plans and suggestions of the general tract society, under the supervision of the General Conference, will be carried forward. Simply keeping the record of meetings, ordering books, and recording the business which is done, is the least part (although important) of his duties. They should see that every man and woman is laboring to the best advantage in the cause. Much of this can be done by correspondence under the direction of the president in the State, and directors in the districts.

It will readily be seen that the State secretary should therefore be thoroughly acquainted with the work in each district. He should have the names of all the members of the society on his book, that he may become acquainted with each worker, and also know who are losing their interest in the work. He can then tell how many are not members, and be able to make such suggestions as will bring up the work in all its parts.

I have frequently visited Conferences where the tract society was not prospering as we desired to see it. I have inquired of the State secretary, “How many members have you?” “I don't know.” “How many have you that are active and reliable?” “I don't know.” In short, they know nothing about the practical workings of the society, only that it is running down, and not many books are called for. Now if these secretaries had kept a list of the members, and when the reports began to show a lack of interest, if they had written a line to some active member to visit them, with the co-operation of the district officers and librarian, the interest would have increased, instead of the reverse. The duties of the district secretary are much the same with each church as the State secretaries are with each district. In some Conferences there are districts which do as much business as is done in some States. Where such is the case there is almost invariably an active director and district secretary.

The question is often asked if it is always necessary to do all business through the district secretary. We answer, No; but there should always be an understanding to this effect between the officers, and the business should be reported to the district secretary. For particulars on this point, see Constitution. The librarian should ever be active in looking after the interests of each member in his church society. See that all become members, have blank reports on hand at the right time, distribute and collect them, encourage all to do something to report. This will require much visiting and, if the members are scattered, much writing. If each officer does his duty there cannot be other than a prosperous society. To be successful in the cause of Christ requires care-taking, and an unselfish interest for the souls of our fellow-men. This will beget in others the same spirit, and bring the blessing of God upon us.

S. N. HASKELL.