Annual Meeting of the California Tract and Missionary Society.
The ninth annual meeting of the Society was held at Healdsburg, Cal.; first session Sept. 18, 1879, the Vice President, M. C. Israel, presiding. The report of the last meeting was read and approved. The Vice President appointed the following committees:— On Nominations, James Creamer, John Custer, E. Moore. On Resolutions, W. M. Healey, J. E. White, W. C. Grainger. The second session convened Tuesday, Sept. 23, at 10 A. M. The report of progress for the past year was called for, and read as follows:— The present membership of the Society is 440; an increase of thirty during the year. The number of reports, 858; number of families visited, 1547; ships visited, 250; letters written, 2589; pages of tracts given away, 928,814; pages tracts, pamphlets and books loaned, 143,172; total number loaned and given away, 1,071,986; number of libraries furnished, 1487. Number of new subscribers obtained for the SIGNS OF THE TIMES, 221; for other periodicals, 227; number of SIGNS taken in clubs, 655; SIGNS distributed, 16,270; other periodicals distributed, 22,307; Annuals distributed, 1,617. Number of subscribers for periodicals obtained on the camp-ground: SIGNS, 29; Good Health 44; Review, 40; Monthly Instructor, 7; Weekly Instructor, 6; Stimme der Wahrheit, 5; College Record, 236. Total, 367. Am't rec'd for new members $30.
“ “ by donations, 744.27
“ “ from book sales, 198.56
“ “ for widows and orphans, 19.75
“ “ for periodicals, 393.40—1385.98 In connection with this was the reading of the treasurer's report as follows:— Cash on deposit, Aug. 30, 1878, $781.70
Received from districts on acct., 1856.38
“ for General Fund, $2992.79
Paid Signs Office on acct., 2256.48
“ Review “ “ 276.50
On deposit Sept. 17, 1879, 459.81—$2992.79 The following statement shows the financial standing of the society to date:— Due from districts on acct., $987.88
Books donated to ship fund by Gen. T. &
M. Society, 50.00
On deposit 459.81—1499.69 Eld. Haskell made some remarks with reference to the decrease in T. and M. contributions, attributing it to the loss sustained by the Society in the removal of Eld. Loughborough. The report of the Nominating Committe was presented, and the following named persons duly elected for the ensuing year:— For President, Eld. S. N. Haskell; Vice President, M. C. Israel; Secretary and Treasurer, Mrs. L. D. A. Carruth; assistant Secretary, Miss Barbara C. Stickney. For Director; District No. 1, T. M. Chapman; No. 2, G. Hutchings; No. 3, John Mavy; No. 4, John Judson; No. 5, Wm. Saunders; No. 6, D. S. Hemstreet; No. 7, W. J. Bostwick; No. 8, M. C. Israel. The following resolutions were adopted:— Resolved, That the Society immediately order 15,000 Annuals. Resolved, That the action, at the quarterly meeting held Oct. 27, 1877, which provided for paying the traveling expenses of the directors be rescinded, and that the matter be left discretionary with the Board of Directors. Before the close of the meeting an opportunity was given for those who desired to become members of the General T. and M. Society; as the result twenty-seven names were enrolled as life members. An opportunity was also offered to those who wished to contribute jewelry etc, for the ship work; and quite a number of valuable articles were given. On motion the meeting adjourned.
M. C. ISRAEL, Vice President,
L. D. A. CARRUTH, Secretary. A VERY pleasant meeting of the Sabbath-school of Oakland was held on Wednesday evening, Oct. 1. The programme contained a large variety of exercises; but it was so well arranged that all was concluded by 9:20. The house was filled; middle seats were reserved for the school, which filed in, in excellent order, according to the programme:— - PROCESSIONAL—Marching On................SCHOOL.
- ANTHEM—Exalt Him..........................CHOIR.
- PRAYER...................ELD. J. H. WAGGONER, PASTOR.
- SONG—Whiter than Snow.....................SCHOOL.
With an instrumental accompaniment.
5. ADDRESS..........................ELD. S. N. HASKELL.
President of National S. S. Association.This address was well received, as it deserved. An interesting incident was related of little S. S. children holding a prayer meeting, and facts and instruction all crowded into ten minutes. - SONG—Jesus Loves the Little Ones..........CHILDREN.
- OPENING CLASS CONTRIBUTION BOXES.
This, of course, was interesting to the school. The contributions for the preceding quarter, before the class boxes were used, amounted to $11.46. The boxes were found to contain $64.08. The givers do not feel badly over this. 8. SONG—Sweet By and By......................SCHOOL.
With Instrumental Accompaniment.
9. ADDRESS......................ELD. J. H. WAGGONER.
The request for the publication of this address was so well sustained, that we insert it in full. Among the sweetest names to mortals given,
Are always counted—mother, home, and Heaven.
Mother! let all give honor to that name,
And guard your guardians from the fear of shame.
For truly 'tis the mother makes the home
On earth,—as Jesus makes the one to come;
And a dear mother's counsel, wisely given,
May guide your steps to find the home in Heaven.
Duty, for all, is here, as joy is there,
And by the cross alone the crown you'll wear.
As home is dearest to the weary feet,
So none but workers feel that rest is sweet. Let every action have its spring in love,
By which alone we taste the joys above.
For as on earth, in Heaven, the richest part
Is the sweet service of a loving heart.
Who would expect e'en earthly joys to prove
In home without a mother—without love?
And who could think that Heaven itself were dear,
Were it the home of hatred, and of fear?-
Then learn to love even as you learn to read;—
So shall your lessons to the Saviour lead. Let teachers strive with pupils to excel;
Your motto be—"Not how much, but how well."
And as God works by well-appointed means,
To lead our hearts and steps to brighter scenes,
By strict obedience to each sacred rule,
You'll find all blessings in your Sabbath-school. - SONG—Cross and Crown.....................CHOIR.
- SEC'YS QUARTERLY REPORT......MRS. L. D. CARRUTH.
The following synopsis will give an idea of this report: There are 16 classes. In a scale of 5, the scholarship for the quarter was 4 3-10; deportment, 4 1-16; average membership, 120; average attendance, 106; number of absences, 142. Number at the commencement of the quarter, 107; number added, 49; number left, 19; increase, 30; present number, 137.12. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT...............J. E. WHITE
Verbal report—no minutes. - SONG—We Will Cling to Jesus............SCHOOL.
- ELECTION OF SABBATH SCHOOL OFFICERS.
The nomination having been made the preceding Sabbath, the election occupied but a few minutes. - SONG—Pearly Portals......................CHOIR.
- REMARKS BY PRES. S. S. V. M. S........W. N. GLENN.
No minutes. This is to the School what the Vigilant Missionary Society is to the Tract and Missionary Society. It is proving efficient in recruiting.17. SEC'YS REPORT OF S. S. V. M. S.....MRS. L. M. HALL.
The society was organized Aug. 16, 1879; there are now 57 members; there have been a number of scholars added to the school by their efforts, and a goodly number of Instructors have been distributed. Working with good courage. - SONG—Work..............................CHOIR.
- ELECTION OF OFFICERS OF S. S. V. M. SOCIETY.
- CLOSING SONG—Good Night..................CHOIR.
- BENEDICTION....................ELD. S. N. HASKELL.
The school singing was spirited and prompt, as it always is in this school. The instrumental accompaniment to the two pieces was by the Pacific Press Cornet Band. This band has been organized but a short time, and this was its first public effort, and the performance was highly creditable. The choir singing was under the direction of Mr. D. S. Hakes, who is well known to many of our readers through his music in the "Song Anchor." He was assisted by several of his lady pupils. The closing piece, Good Night, was rendered in a manner which could hardly be excelled. Excellent order was maintained; the little folks behaved themselves unusually well. Altogether it was an enjoyable and profitable season, calculated to give the visitors an excellent opinion of our school. SECRETARY.