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The Missionary

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International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Oct 16, 1884

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 10, No. 39.

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The Missionary.

California Tract and Missionary Society.

THE fourteenth annual session of the California Tract and Missionary Society was held upon the Oakland camp-ground. The first meeting convened Sept. 21, at 5 P. M., the vice-president in the chair. Prayer was offered by Elder Loughborough. The reading of the minutes of the last annual session was waived, and the report of meeting held at Healdsburg in January read.
Mention was made of those resolutions referring to the library work, and a list of the libraries furnished with our publications, as published in SIGNS No. 28, was read. Committees were appointed as follows: On Nominations, Elders J. D. Rice, N. C. McClure, and E. A. Briggs. On Resolutions, Elders J. N. Loughborough and Wm. Ings, and C. H. Jones.
The second meeting was called at 9 A. M., Sept. 22. A summary of work done during the past year was given: At the present time the society has a membership of 821, which is 122 more than were enrolled last year; 1,250 reports have been returned by the members, an increase over the previous year of 108; number of families visited, 8,522; letters written, 5,934, which exceeds last year by 1,988; pages of reading matter distributed, 1,071,170; periodicals, 153,906. Last year the number of subscriptions taken for our various periodicals was 2,184, including 1,000 short-term subscriptions to the SIGNS, the greater part of which were for one month or six weeks; this year it is 2,341, with but 871 short-term subscriptions, at least one-half of which are for three or six months.
Books to the value of $1,369.65, and tracts to the amount of $589.64 have been sold during the year, not including those sold by agents. The expense of postage, stationery, and printing for the year is $178.79, and for furnishing libraries with our works, $80.
The branch of the work performed by the Seaman's Mission has increased in importance during the past year; 1,200 ships have been visited, 18,950 periodicals distributed, and 175,375 pages of reading matter left on board, which have been taken to almost every port throughout the world, thus fulfilling Rev. 10:11 in sending the truth to “many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings.” Books have been sold on board ships to the amount of $165.53.
The tract distributors, such as were first introduced at the April meeting, have proved a very interesting and profitable feature of the work during the summer. These distributors are simple and inexpensive, yet durable. They are nicely finished so as to present a neat and attractive appearance.
In Portland, Oregon, where Elder Ings has been laboring, sixteen steamers have been supplied, all but one receiving two distributors. Many more could be used to advantage. Remarks were made by several, attesting the favor with which they are received, and the good already resulting from their use.
The Committee on Resolutions presented the following:—
WHEREAS, The Lord has seen fit to remove from us, by death, our worthy and efficient Secretary, Sister B. C. Rice; and,
WHEREAS, We feel that in her death the society has lost one of its most valued and efficient workers; therefore,
1. Resolved, That while we bow in submission to the dispensation of Providence, we deeply regret the loss that has been sustained, and that we extend to the bereaved husband and sorrowing relatives our heart-felt sympathy, in this, their hour of bereavement.
WHEREAS, We recognize the hand of God in establishing the Seaman's Mission, and we see the work rapidly increasing; therefore,
2. Resolved, That we express our gratitude to God for the success that has attended the Mission during the past year, and that we recommend that this work be extended as the Lord shall open the way.
3. Resolved, That the name, “Seaman's Mission” be changed to “San Francisco City Mission.”
WHEREAS, There is a great field for successful missionary work opened before us through the great lines of railroad that center in Oakland and San Francisco; therefore,
4. Resolved, That we recommend that a city mission be established in Oakland, to be called the “Oakland City Mission,” and that the work on the railroads and other places be vigorously prosecuted.
5. Resolved, That we recommend that our colporters and others endeavor to secure subscriptions to the SIGNS OF THE TIMES for the term of three months, or longer, instead of the short term of six weeks as heretofore.
6. Resolved, That the missionary districts of this Conference be arranged as follows:—
Del Norte, Humboldt, Trinity, Mendocino, Sonoma, Marin, Lake, and Napa, to be known as No. 1.
Siskiyou, Modoc, Shasta, Lassen, Tehama, Plumas, Butte, Colusa, Sutter, Yuba, Sierra, Nevada, Placer, Yolo, Sacramento, Eldorado, Amador, and Solano, as No. 2.
Alameda, Contra Costa, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Calaveras, Tuolumne, Alpine, Mono, and Mariposa, as No. 3.
San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Cruz, Santa Clara, San Benito, Monterey, and San Luis Obispo, as No. 4.
Merced, Fresno, Tulare, Inyo, and Kern, as No. 5. San Diego, San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Ventura, and Santa Barbara, as No. 6.
The State of Nevada, as No. 7.
WHEREAS, The times demand a greater activity in placing the truth before our neighbors and friends; therefore,
7. Resolved, That we increase the circulation of our publications by loaning, selling, and giving the same in our respective fields of labor.
WHEREAS, Success has attended the missionary work in sending the SIGNS OF THE TIMES to the different counties in this Conference, therefore,
8. Resolved, That we will continue to prosecute this branch of the work with renewed zeal, during the coming Conference year.
WHEREAS, The life and power of any organization cannot be preserved without frequent meetings, therefore,
9. Resolved, That we recommend that our local societies hold their meetings as often as once each week.
WHEREAS, The distributors (tract and paper cases) placed on ships, and in public places, have fully met our expectations in accomplishing the object for which they were designed; therefore,
10. Resolved, That we recommend that our T. and M. Societies place similar distributors in hotels in their respective fields, and that we invite all so disposed to subscribe for such distributors, to be used for said purpose.
11. Resolved, That we recommend the raising of a sum of twenty-five hundred dollars to be used in carrying forward the work of our city missions.
These resolutions were acted upon separately and adopted. The first was spoken to by Elder W. C. White and others. Notwithstanding we had all known of the declining health of Sister Rice, the hope had been cherished that her life would be spared and she would again take her place among us. We shall greatly miss her counsel and sympathy in the work she loved so much. Her work can be done by others, but she occupied a place in the cause and in our hearts that can never be filled by another. In no case could the words, “Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord,” for “they rest from their labors and their works do follow them,” be more appropriate than in hers. We trust if faithful to meet her in the morning of the resurrection. The resolution was adopted by a rising vote.
In reference to the third resolution, it was stated that this work on the railroads could be done in other large cities that are important railroad centers, some of which present advantages over Oakland, but considering all the circumstances, the latter was thought the most suitable place to begin the work, as it could then have the benefit of experienced laborers. Elder Ings spoke of what is being done in Portland, in reference to furnishing passengers with our reading matter, and the dissatisfaction manifested by the news-boys, as their sales are thus very materially affected. He is convinced that much good can be accomplished in this way, as travelers will have something to read, and many are not interested in the sensational literature usually sold on board the trains.
The method of securing names for missionary use was freely discussed. The plans recommended from time to time were approved. Many interesting cases have been developed, some of which were related, inspiring courage in the hearts of all. It was voted that all available lists be forwarded to the State secretary, and that she furnish names to the local societies through their officers when needed.
The sixth resolution was spoken to by Eld. J. N. Loughborough. The object in view in this arrangement of the districts is to make them more easy of access to the directors, and to add efficiency to the work. It will greatly facilitate the work if the directors visit their respective districts at least once a quarter, to plan and supervise it.
In accordance with the eleventh resolution an appeal was made to those present in behalf of the city missions, and before this meeting was dismissed, $1,245 had been pledged; sixty-eight distributors were also ordered, many of which are to be donated to the mission.
The Nominating Committee submitted the following report:— For president, Elder S. N. Haskell; vice-president, Elder Wm. Ings; secretary, Anna L. Ingels; asst. secretary, Sarah McEnterfer. Directors—District No. 1, C. C. Ramsey; No. 2, J. D.Rice; Nos. 3 and 4, M. C. Israel; No. 5, W. G. Buckner; No. 6, G. W. Cody; No. 7, J. J. Cushman.
CASH REPORT. Cash received on memberships: $120.00 Cash received on donations: 742.40 Cash received on one-third: 478.55 Cash received on book-sales: 550.10 Cash received on SIGNS: 2000.78 Cash received on periodicals: 1019.23 Cash received on Seaman's Mission Fund: 872.10 Cash received on Reserve Fund: 51.70 Cash received on individual accounts: 507.63—$6348.49 Paid Signs Office: $5018.52 Paid Review: 216.48 Paid incidentals: 104.24 Paid individuals: 11.10 Paid Seaman's Mission: 239.00 Paid Reserve Fund: 759.15—$6348.49
FINANCIAL STANDING OF THE SOCIETY. Due from districts on account: $1771.80 Due from individuals: 8.31 Due from SIGNS to England: 40.75 Due from Seaman's Mission: 562.79 Reserved deposit: 3028.95 Foreign publications: 292.85 Other stock on hand: 77.33 Cash: 66.00—$5848.78 Society owes Signs Office: $1009.15 Society owes Review: 238.20 Society owes Spanish Mission: 131.00—1378.35 Assets over liabilities: $4470.43
It was decided by vote that $40.75 of the Spanish Mission Fund of $131 be applied on the amount yet due on SIGNS to England, and that the remaining $90.25 be donated to the city missions. On motion the meeting adjourned. M. C. ISRAEL, Vice-President. ANNA L. INGELS, Asst. Secretary.