The Missionary by William Ings

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jun 5, 1884

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 10, No. 22.

The Missionary.

By William Ings

The Work in San Francisco.

SINCE our good meeting in Oakland, San Francisco has been the headquarters of a training class preparatory to usefulness in the great harvest-field. Bros. L. A. Scott and A. La Rue have been members of this class, and if Providence permit, they will soon leave this port for the Sandwich Islands, to enter upon the work assigned them. Bro. Robbing, who has long followed the seas, has been preparing himself to engage in the ship missionary work in this city. Bro. Rieck was with us, but has now gone to his field of labor in Nevada. Bro. Owen, who is intending to devote his time to the cause of God, is also getting instructions in regard to his duties as city colporter.

In the preparation of these brethren for their various duties, the spiritual interest has not been neglected. Lessons on prophecy have been given, and I trust profitably to all concerned. The work of this class has not wholly been to study, but to put in practice the lessons taught. In consequence, hundreds of families have been visited, and their attention called to the leading points of our faith. Books and tracts have been sold, and thousands of pages loaned, and we hope to see some fruit from this labor.

The church in this city has been greatly encouraged by the presence of these brethren, and has caught the missionary spirit, and is taking hold of the work with a will, and the good effects are seen in our meetings. The prayer and missionary meeting has nearly doubled in numbers, and our Sabbath meetings are excellent. Last Sabbath was a day that will be long remembered on account of the presence of God by his Spirit. Hearts were made tender, confessions were made, and all felt that it was good to be there. This church is increasing in numbers, strangers are constantly in attendance, and what they need is a good, earnest laborer who could devote his whole time to the interest of the work in this city. "Where are the reapers?"

The ship work is increasing in interest and importance. Nineteen steamers leaving here for various ports and countries are supplied with files of the SIGNS placed in holders. Many of the officers of these ships are taking an interest in distributing our publications.

There has been a longing demand for something that would more especially call the attention of the traveling public to our work, and we trust the case is met in a model piece of furniture now manufactured by Bro. Stockton, of this city. This case is one foot five inches long, ten and one-half inches wide, and four inches thick at the base. It has eight pockets long enough to take in a tract, eight inches deep, and three-fourths of an inch wide. These distributors are used for free distributions and loaning libraries. On the base-board of the loaning library, in gilt letters, are the following words: "Read and Return. This free loaning library is furnished by the International Missionary Society, 1059 Castro Street, Oakland, Cal. Correspondence Solicited." In this case is placed the seven pamphlets of the "Life of Christ," etc., by Mrs. E. G. White; "Matthew Twenty-four," "Truth Found," "Saints' Inheritance," and the seven pamphlets containing a miscellany of our tracts. This case is designed for the social hall or reading-rooms on steamers.

Another case is designed for the second cabins, restaurants, hotels, factories, depots, post-offices, and, in fact, all public places where there are readers. On this is the following inscription, "Choice Reading Free." The reading matter in this case is furnished for free distribution by the International Missionary Society, 1059 Castro Street, Oakland, Cal. Correspondence Solicited." This case is designed to distribute tracts, SIGNS, Instructors, Good Health, Review, and Sabbath Sentinel. This case is an ornament, and will grace any reading-room, and is received with favor. The cost of the distributer is trifling, about $1.50.

This will be a new feature in our work, and will give work to many to keep the cases supplied. The friends in this city are taking hold of the enterprise with a will, and already many places have been found for them. I expect that, not far in the future, these cases or something better will be found in all prominent places, offering their contents to thousands of souls.

In addition to our present facilities for doing ship work, we are having a small sail-boat built, in which we can visit the ships anchored in the bay, and those at different points near San Francisco. On this boat, there will be an arrangement to hold an assortment of our publications, and then we shall be enabled to fill any order desired. All ships leaving this port take with them supplies of reading matter. Sales of our publications are made, and some items of an encouraging nature are gathered from interested readers.

In closing this report, I will add, that while engaged here with my brethren in learning how to better prepare ourselves for usefulness in the Master's cause, we have had some of the sweet Spirit of God with us; nothing has occurred to mar our peace, and to God be all the praise.

WM. INGS.

May 25, 1884.