p. 230 | Missionary Department by John Norton Loughborough

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, Cal. · May 27, 1875

Missionary Department.

By John Norton Loughborough

"Philip saith unto him, Come and see." John 1:46.

Instructions.

THERE are many who talk as though they had "no missionary work to do," because they do not see a favorable opening for successful tract distribution, or an opportunity to obtain subscribers for some of our periodicals. Let it be borne in mind that there are several objects to be accomplished by the T. and M. organization. While one important object is to secure a wider circulation of our periodicals, either by paid or trial subscribers, another object is to "collect arrearages on periodicals," and to look after the cases of trial subscribers, to ascertain whether papers are read with interest and profit, by trial subscribers; to collect donations for support of the paper from interested readers who may be disposed to contribute for its support, and, if the paper is not read with interest and profit, to see that it is stopped or changed to some other person on trial. We are well aware that this is a branch of the work a little more crossing than to gather up names by telling the people, "Here is a paper you can have without money and without price if you will only give me your name." Nevertheless this kind of work must be done.

We have commenced to send out printed lists of our subscribers to the SIGNS in California. These lists we shall send to the business agents of the churches, and individuals, with the request that immediate measures be taken to see those who are receiving the SIGNS and have not paid for it, and give them an opportunity to contribute for its support, to ascertain what papers should be discontinued, and to report the results immediately to the SIGNS office personally or through your district secretary.

In Napa, yesterday, the list was passed out. One brother had the charge of it, and was to see that a report was made of the whole to the SIGNS office, while others took names to look after and report to him as soon as possible. Will those to whom these lists are sent see that the same is done in their respective places. If all take hold with a will this matter can be attended to at once. Let us do the work of the Lord faithfully and promptly.

In a few days we shall send lists of our subscribers to different States. These we shall send to the Presidents of the respective State T. and M. societies, and they may divide them among their respective districts and soon give us a report on unpaying subscribers. With a little explanation we commit this to our T. and M. workers. The figures after the name signifies the volume and number to which a person has paid. If it is Hans Jessen 1-1, it means that he has received the papers from the first, and has paid nothing. If it is 2-1, it means that the paper is square till the commencement of next volume. A volume will probably consist of 48 numbers. If a name stands 1-35, it means that such subscriber will have to pay for 13 papers to carry him to the end of the first volume. Full-paying subscribers are counted at 4 cents a number. To pay for thirteen papers would therefore require 52 cents.

The present number of the paper is 29 of vol. 1. If a person's figures are less than 1-29 they owe for just as many papers as their figures are less than 1-29. If their figures are more than 1-29 those figures will indicate how far in advance they are paid. Let us do faithfully and cheerfully what we find to do. J. N. L.