p. 297 | REPORT OF LABOR

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · May 20, 1886

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 12, No. 19.

REPORT OF LABOR.

	THIS QUARTER	LAST QUARTER	INCREASE
Members. . . . . . . .	1,027	1,000	27
Reports returned. . . . . . .	498	407	91
Families visited. . . . . .	1,970	2,697	. . . . . .
Ships visited. . . . . . .	291	230	61
Letters written. . . . . .	3,417	2,870	547
Pages distributed. . . . .	1,204,643	662,103	542,540
Periodicals distributed. . . .	65,529	58,717	6,812
SIGNS taken in clubs. . . . .	2,715	2,689	26
New subscribers obtained. .	469	357	112
Cash receipts. . . . . . . .	$1,365 57	$1,917 60	. . . .

NOTE.—It will be noticed that the cash receipts last quarter are more than this quarter. This is owing to the fact that the camp-meeting receipts were added to that report.

Elder Haskell related some of the circumstances that led to the organization of the Tract Society, and gave a brief account of its early history. He referred to the time in 1864 when a few sisters met together to pray for the progress of the work. In 1869, at his first visit to Battle Creek, a vigilant society was organized, consisting of about a dozen members. The next year, what is known as the Tract Society was formed, and from that time the work grew so rapidly that within three years every Conference in America had a Tract Society, and now the Tract Society embraces the whole world. There is no nation on the globe where its influence is not felt; and no nation, excepting Switzerland, where the truth was not first planted through this medium. The work has prospered since its rise. First only papers were sent out, but now there is scarcely a phase of the work but what is connected with the Tract and Missionary Society.

Some conferences have felt the burden of the work in their own localities, while others have extended their labors to the whole world. Those that have expended the most means and labored the hardest to send the truth abroad, have had the greatest influence and have accomplished the most good at home. We should not be shut up to ourselves; according as our heart goes out to others, so will we be blessed. The force of this statement is shown by the prosperity of the cause in California. No other Conference has had a greater interest in foreign missions, especially in that of Australia, and in no other is the work more prosperous at home. This is evident from the past quarter's report, and also from the following table, which gives the workings of the society for the past six years and the increase from year to year. Those present at this meeting were supplied with the table as given here:—

	1879.	1880.	INCREASE	1881.	INCREASE	1882.	INCREASE	1883.	INCREASE	1884.	INCREASE	1885.	INCREASE	INCREASE
No. of members. . . . .	440	511	71	599	88	637	38	699	62	821	122	935	114	495
Reports returned. . . . .	858	962	104	1,004	42	942	47	1,143	200	1,250	108	1,562	312	704
Families visited. . . . .	1,547	1,708	161	2,555	847	4,907	2,352	9,783	4,876	8,522	1,250	25,946	17,424	24,399
Ships visited. . . . . . .	250	389	139	389	. . .	480	91	1,113	633	1,200	87	1,713	513	1,463
Letters written. . . . . .	2,589	4,564	1,975	4,945	381	5,012	67	3,946	1,066	5,934	1,988	7,151	1,217	4,562
Pages distributed. . . .	1,071,986	920,141	. . .	976,584	56,443	1,088,474	111,890	1,195,366	106,892	1,071,170	. . .	2,786,839	1,715,669	1,714,853
Periodicals distributed. .	40,234	71,183	21,682	82,770	11,587	84,479	1,700	158,564	74,085	153,906	. . .	221,659	67,753	181,375
SIGNS taken in clubs. . . .	655	1,148	493	1,370	222	1,560	190	2,184	60	1,803	. . .	2,544	741	1,889
New subscribers obtained. .	774	774	553	872	98	969	97	1,215	60	1,859	157	2,544	175	1,411
Cash received. . . . . . .	$1,366 23	$3,336 23	$1,970 00	$4,417 09	$1,080 86	$4,459 59	$42 50	$5,005 53	$545 94	$6,296 79	$1,291 26	$6,362 05	$65 26	$4,995 82

NOTE.—While each successive year has witnessed the growth of the work, as shown by this report, the increase has not been so perceptible at times. In the spring of 1879, Elder Haskell, who was elected president of the society the following fall, came to this coast. As the result of his personal efforts put forth among the societies that time until his departure for Europe early in the year 1882, there was a marked advancement. Between the years 1881 and 1883 the increase was not so great, owing to the absence of personal labor. During the year 1883 Elder Ings became actively engaged in this branch of the work, and since that time the interest has rapidly grown, until we find that the increase of the year 1885 far exceeds that of any previous year since the organization of the Tract Society.

The surest test of progress in the missionary work is the number of letters written, SIGNS taken in clubs, and the cash receipts. In these particulars there has been a steady increase from the first, but a single exception, that of the number of letters written in 1883.

The number of visits made, and of pages and periodicals distributed, is largely affected by the number of letters written in the field. The Conference reports vary widely from year to year, and hence the individual work done by the members of the society at times appears to a disadvantage, and the actual increase is not apprehended, as the difference in the Conference reports makes an apparent decrease.

Elder Ings stated that our aim should be progression. It is astonishing how wonderfully the Lord has worked for us. When we walk out in his providence by faith, he will not disappoint. Elder Ings has had a special interest in the distributer work throughout the State, and reported that about 200 are now in use in the Conference, including those on ships that are supplied at San Francisco. The cost of filling those owned by the city mission alone is about $1,078 a year. Great favor has been shown this work by many officials of the railway and steamer lines. The Central Pacific and Southern Pacific Companies, including all their branches and leased lines, have granted the privilege to place an unlimited number of distributers on their roads, and for the sum of $10 a year have guaranteed protection to all that may be put up.

Elder Loughborough referred to his early labors in California. During the first years of his work here there were ready sales but no systematic plan by which others than those directly engaged in selling our publications, could circulate our reading matter. As they were trying to obviate this difficulty, news came from the East that the Tract Society had been started, and thus a way was opened by which all could work.

A recent advance step taken in this work is the organization of the Rivulet Societies. Much good resulting from these has already been seen in the increasing love for the truth that is manifested by those children connected with them. By this means a principle is being implanted in their hearts, the fruits of which are already visible.

Elder N. C. McClure has been for a time visiting the city mission in Chicago. They have not, as yet, succeeded in putting up many distributers in that city, but are doing a noble work in holding Bible-readings. He thought it would be advisable if we could connect the Bible-readings with our missionary work to a greater extent. Other reports from different parts of the field were given relating to this feature of the work.

Although it was impossible for Elder Haskell to secure in Australia suitable places for the distributers, an excellent substitute presented itself in the shape of fence-posts, that are found in the most frequented parks. The posts are so formed with an opening at the top as to afford a receptacle for the papers. These are supplied near the close of the day, just before the return of the business men to their homes. These distributers are well patronized. The Lord is carrying forward this work, and invites us to go with it. He wants those who consider it a privilege and not a burden. Elder Haskell closed his remarks by saying: "Let me have a part in this work, although the way may be thorny and rough, and my foot-prints be marked with blood all along the way."

The following Committee on Resolutions was appointed: Elders Wm. Ings, E. J. Waggoner, and J. N. Loughborough.

The second meeting was called at 2:30 P. M., April 27. The Committee on Resolutions submitted the following:—

WHEREAS, It is evident that the time has come for us, as a people, to enter the cities and introduce our views by the means of colporter work; therefore,

1. Resolved, That we recommend that a training school be commenced immediately at the mission rooms in San Francisco, under the management of Elder N. C. McClure.

WHEREAS, The city training school will be to the interest of the cause on this coast, and as there will be considerable cost in conducting the same; therefore,

2. Resolved, That we especially invite our brethren throughout the Conference to make donations of provisions, bedding, etc., to this enterprise, and that all such donations be sent to N. C. McClure, 914 Laguna Street, San Francisco.

WHEREAS, The College was established on this coast to educate young men and women to fill places of responsibility in carrying the Third Angel's Message to the world.

3. Resolved, That we, as missionary workers, do all in our power to encourage worthy young people who give any promise of usefulness in the cause, if properly educated, to attend the College.

WHEREAS, The "National Reform Association" is active and untiring in its efforts to procure an amendment to the Constitution of the United States, so that the popular religion may be made a test of citizenship, and the indications are that in a very short time this will be the leading question of the day, and

WHEREAS, The American Sentinel, which has recently been started, is devoted to the "preservation of the United States Constitution as it is, so far as regards religion, or religious tests, and the maintenance of human rights, both civil and religious," and is especially adapted to meet the best class of minds, and through this vital issue to lead them to an understanding of the Third Angel's Message, therefore,

4. Resolved, That we urge our members to give this paper a hearty and liberal support, and to circulate it wherever the influence of the National Reform Association is exerting an influence.

5. Resolved, That in order that the work done by our missionary societies may be as permanent as possible in its results, the members should redouble their diligence in procuring yearly subscriptions to the SIGNS OF THE TIMES.

WHEREAS, The Lord has gone before us in opening the way for our distributers to be put up in depots and other public places where the traveling public can secure our reading matter; therefore,

6. Resolved, That we will extend this branch of the work throughout this Conference.

These resolutions were acted upon separately and adopted. The first was freely discussed. Strong reasons were given in favor of both San Francisco and Oakland as the location of the training school. After considering all the circumstances the decision was made in favor of the resolution as presented.

Elder Butler gave much valuable instruction in regard to the management of these schools. If properly conducted much good may be accomplished. He holds that it is just as requisite that the one having charge of a mission school be as thoroughly qualified for his position, as is the one superintending a college.

The third resolution was spoken to at some length. Professor Brownsberger set before us the object of the College. It is not only to keep our children from the influences of the world, but to educate workers in the cause. In order that this institution may fulfill its mission, material is required. Our college has no agents who make this a specialty, and hence the necessity of our ministers and missionary workers feeling a responsibility in this matter.

Under the fourth resolution it was stated that the question is often asked why we oppose the National Reform Association, if we really believe that their object will be gained. The Sentinel is not expected to defeat this movement, but to show the fallacies of their reasoning, to bring the light of truth before the people, and thus win souls to Christ.

The meeting adjourned sine die. S. N. HASKELL, President. ANNA L. INGELS, Secretary.