WHEN SHOULD T. AND M. SOCIETIES BE ORGANIZED?
By Maria L. Huntley
THAT an active tract and missionary society is a necessary adjunct of the live church has been established beyond question. At this stage in the progress of our work, no argument is needed upon this point, and as a people we are beginning more fully to realize its importance. But the question as to when these societies should be organized in a new field may seem to some unimportant, and the course frequently pursued leads to this conclusion. Usually local societies are organized at the time of the church organization, or later. At this time it is generally the case that the truth has been presented from the desk, opposition, sometimes strong and bitter, has been aroused, causing prejudice, and the expression of unkind feelings. A separation has come between those who have accepted the truth and those who have not, and a large portion of the people wish to hear no more about it, and the minister is about to leave for another field. Perhaps the last thing he does is to organize a missionary society; and those who have embraced the truth are left in their inexperience to conduct the society, and extend the work of presenting the truth by personal effort in the face of these opposing and discouraging conditions. Under these circumstances, to expect that they will carry forward the work with courage, energy, and success, is unreasonable. If the organization of the society is delayed still longer, the conditions are seldom improved. Much of the interest, zeal, and love first manifested in the truth, owing to a lack of healthful exercise, is gone. In either case, the society starts out under very unfavorable and discouraging circumstances for successful home labor. Too often it struggles along for mere existence, and it is very hard ever to bring it into the position it should occupy. In direct opposition to this course is that pursued by Mr. Moody and other evangelists. When they begin labor in any place they call together persons of influence who are interested in their work, giving them instruction, and some important part to act. In this way they greatly increase their influence and working force, without unnecessary expense. Why should we not pursue a similar course in the presentation of the truth? As soon as an interest has been aroused, and people acknowledge God's claims upon them, why should they not be encouraged to co-operate with us, not in a general, hap-hazard way, but by uniting in an organized systematic effort to enlighten the people. They will at this point readily appreciate the character of our work, and oftentimes will esteem it a privilege to aid in carrying it forward by their means and personal effort. The offer of reading matter for free distribution would be sufficient to induce many to become members of our missionary societies, if the matter was properly set before them. By this act they would in a measure identify themselves with us, and it would do much toward establishing them in the truth. Every effort made by them in its behalf, however small, would unite them more closely to it, and also separate them more and more from adverse influences. The advantages to be gained would be twofold, as it would greatly benefit the persons themselves, and through them the minister would be able to reach a class he could gain access to in no other way. It would afford him and his co-laborers the best of opportunities to give instruction in the different methods of labor, and in conducting missionary operations. By the time they were ready to leave, a good working force would be developed, and prepared to carry on the work and extend it under less favorable circumstances. The experience of seeing persons embrace the truth for whom they have labored in connection with the minister, and under his direction, would be invaluable to them. The following is from "Testimony for the Church, No. 32," page 64:— "Every member of the church should be instructed in a regular system of labor. All are required to do something for the Lord. They can interest persons to read; they may converse and pray with them. The minister who shall educate, discipline, and lead an army of workers, will have glorious conquests here, and a rich reward awaits him when he shall meet those saved through his influence around the great white throne." When a permanent church organization is effected, the tract and missionary organization can be completed, and the names of unworthy members dropped, if there should be any such. As soon as there are two or three of these local organizations, they should be united in a general organization, having at least a president and secretary, the latter to act also as treasurer. The work can then be carried on systematically and vigorously before the time arrives for a Conference organization. See the recommendations on this point at the last meeting of the International Tract and Missionary Society. There can be no propriety in waiting until the work goes hard, and our brethren and sisters have lost the enthusiasm and devotion which they had when they first embraced the truth, before giving them the advantages of our tract and missionary organizations. They should receive their instruction and first experience in missionary labor in their own vicinity under the minister who gives them the truth. They would not then regard it such a task to labor for their neighbors and friends, the very ones who have the greatest claims upon them.