The Missionary | AdventAI

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · May 13, 1889

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 15, No. 18.

The Missionary.

CALIFORNIA TRACT SOCIETY PROCEEDINGS.

A QUARTERLY session of the California Tract Society was held in connection with the general meeting in Oakland, April 18–24, 1889. The session consisted of three public meetings and one meeting of the Board of Directors. These were conducted by the president, Elder W. C. White. There were, March 31, forty-five organized societies and a force of forty-seven scattered workers, and fifty-two Conference workers and field canvassers belonging to the State society. There were also twelve Rivulet Societies, with an approximate membership of 274, making the entire Tract Society membership of the Conference about 1,586. Since the camp-meeting the following new societies have been enrolled: Hanson, of Humboldt County, in District No. 8, Swasey, Shasta County, in District 7, Lockwood, Monterey County, in District 4, and in Tomales, Marin County, a few workers have formed themselves into a society which has not been regularly organized. At San Jose and Grangeville Rivulet Societies were started.

The following amount of work is reported as having been performed by members of the Tract Societies independent of the paid laborers:—

	This quarter	Last quarter	Increase
Families visited,	97,114	39,737	57,377
Letters written,	4,636	1,982	2,654
Answers received,	617	497	120
Bible-readings held,	709	698	11
Subscriptions obtained,	288	157	131
Periodicals distributed,	74,394	37,432	36,962
Pages distributed,	379,126	252,813	126,313

The SIGNS taken in clubs amount to 3,076 copies weekly, and the Sentinels, 4,240 copies. The latter represent about four times as many papers as were taken the previous quarter of the monthly issue. In addition to these mailed regularly from the list, extra copies in large numbers were ordered and used for free distribution in connection with the petition work. The number of signatures obtained to the petitions to Congress opposing Sunday legislation was 44,155. Thus a new feature has been introduced into our work, in which the most hearty co-operation of the members was secured and very satisfactory results have been seen. Our position and work have by this means been brought before thousands. There were men of influence who willingly gave their signatures, of whom not a few heartily indorsed the movement, while some united with us in circulating the petitions. Our own people took hold of this work with a zeal never before witnessed. Some who were inactive, and others who had done but little, gladly circulated the petition, and rejoiced that they were permitted to share in the work. Many have gained an experience which, if developed, will be valuable in future effort. As these petitions did not have special reference to the Blair bills, they are just as suitable for circulation at the present time as when those bills were pending in Congress. Although these signatures are valuable to us, the presentation of the truth as afforded by this opportunity is of far greater value. It should be borne in mind that we are in this working to an end; that end is the salvation of souls. There are many who are eager to read on the subject of religious legislation. This literature is ready for the people, and our Tract Societies organized for this very purpose should lay such plans, and put forth such efforts, as will accomplish the greatest possible results in this direction during the coming summer. Have not we as individual members opportunities within our reach which, if improved, would tell wonderfully for the advancement of present truth?

The following Committee on Resolutions was appointed by the chair: Wm. Ings, N. C. McClure, B. R. Nordyke, E. R. Jones, and J. H. Cook.

The resolutions as adopted by the society at this session are as follows:—

WHEREAS, The blessing of God has attended the working of the Tract Society the past year, and in the efforts against the recent move for Sunday laws and national religion, his providence was especially manifested in giving the workers favor with the people, and his hand has so shaped affairs as to give us still a time of peace in which to labor for perishing souls; therefore, 1. Resolved, That we humbly express to him our heart-felt gratitude for his favor, and praise him for his love. WHEREAS, Those who are clamoring for national religion are not disheartened by their failure to secure the desired law, but are now diligently planning and preparing to enter the struggle with increased energy, and wisdom gained from experience; therefore, 2. Resolved, That we will not cease our efforts to get signers to petitions against religious legislation, but will, with earnestness and renewed zeal, labor to warn our fellow-men of the impending danger, and call their attention to the special message for this generation. WHEREAS, The first object of the Tract Society is "the proper distribution of our tracts, pamphlets, and periodicals," and as the general interest in the subject of freedom of conscience in opposition to national religion, makes a good demand for the publications on religious liberty that are being rapidly issued from our presses; therefore, 3. Resolved, That we remind our brethren everywhere of their responsibility in this work of circulating these publications, and advise each local society to select discreet persons to canvass the various sections of its town or village, and in the cities, the various classes of business and professional men. WHEREAS, The American Sentinel is well adapted to enlighten those who desire information on the subject of religious liberty; therefore, 4. Resolved, That we will continue its circulation until it has been placed in the homes of all who will receive it, within the limits of our Conference. 5. Resolved, That we request the editors of the American Sentinel to prepare a tract setting forth the aims and present workings of the National Reform party, to be used in connection with the petition canvass. WHEREAS, We deem it not only a duty, but a privilege, to share in the support of the work in foreign lands; therefore, 6. Resolved, That we invite all who wish to assist by their means, to secure boxes for the first-day offerings, in which to deposit their weekly donations for the foreign work. 7. Resolved, That we recommend the appointment in each church society, of one or more persons to act as a committee for the study of foreign missions, and to present in the meetings of the society such information on the subject of missions, fields, peoples, and methods as are of general interest; and also to encourage the maintenance of the first-day offerings.

Under the first resolution encouraging reports were made by the directors of their respective districts, also by others who have been connected more or less with the workings of the Tract Society.

The new pamphlet by A. T. Jones, entitled, "Civil Government and Religion," was recommended for general circulation. It was spoken of as one of the most powerful agencies for awakening an interest and enlightening the people as to the relation that should exist between Church and State. Attention was called to the work by the reading of extracts, showing the force and clearness with which points are made, and the dire results that follow religious legislation.

Pertinent remarks are made by various ones present, showing the urgent necessity, both of pressing the petition work during the summer, and of giving the National Reform literature a wide circulation.

Some time was devoted to the interests of foreign missions. Works on the lives of missionaries and of the mission fields and modes of labor were presented in the meeting; these and other literature of like character were recommended for family reading. The more we study the peoples and customs of other lands the better we are enabled to meet the wants of mankind. It was recommended that in each church a foreign mission agency or committee be appointed, whose duty it should be to inform themselves in regard to the foreign fields, and be prepared to present from time to time in the meetings, as opportunity offers, such facts as would tend to awaken an interest and keep the society informed in reference to this branch of the work.

C. L. Taylor, director of District 3, who is so situated as to be unable to devote the necessary time to this work, tendered his resignation, and John Biter, on account of sickness, resigned his office as director of District 4. W. N. Glenn was elected to fill the vacancy in District 3, and Frank Brown that in District 4.

The meeting was adjourned sine die. W. C. WHITE, Pres. ANNA L. INGLES, Sec.