REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON RESOLUTIONS

As we consider the wide range of usefulness, and the many lines of missionary effort provided for in the constitution of the International Tract Society, we are led to inquire, to what extent the operations of the society may be mad to correspond with the provisions of the constitution.MMM 378.15

As it is not, and cannot be, the foreign missionary society of the denomination, and is not doing the work generally expected of a missionary society, namely, the employment and maintainence of missionaries in foreign lands, in this paper for the sake of brevity, and to avoid the confounding of its work with that of the foreign missionary work, the denomination, we shall always speak of it as the International Tract Society, and we recommend this title for general use, because it exactly represents the scope and objects of the society, and because it would be a pleasant substitute for the unsightly and sometimes unmeaning abbreviation, “T. and M. Society.”MMM 378.16

Art 2, Sec. 3, gives as one of the objects of the society “To secure an extensive and systematic distribution of our publications in foreign countries and in those portions of our own land not included in state organizations.”MMM 378.17

Art 4, Says: It is the duty of the executive board to carry out the decisions of the society; to furnish publications and employ agents as they may see fit; to audit all accounts; and to fill any vacancies that may occur in their number by death, resignation, or otherwiseMMM 378.18

By a careful examination of the resolutions and decisions made by the society at its last meeting we see that eighteen of them related to the work of the state societies, and three wholly or in part, to the great field outside of these organizations. Whatever has been done by the society in the execution of these suggestions, is due to the faithfulness of the secretary, for the executive board were so scattered that during the year it has been impossible for more than three of its members to assemble for consultation, and therefore it has not really performed the duties of an executive board.MMM 378.19

We would respectfully suggest that while the society should have secretaries and business agents in every land, we believe that its executive board should be composed of members, a majority of whom can assemble as often as once in three months for executive council.MMM 378.20

When we consider the immensity of the foreign mission field, and are reminded over and over again that there are scores of countries in which we are not at present prepared to locate missionaries, and when we consider the fact often demonstrated by experience that the most successful and inexpensive way to introduce the gospel into these lands, is by means of publications, we must conclude that the International Tract Society could do a most glorious work, and be a most important auxlliary in the foreign missionary opperations of our people by the early publication and wide circulation, by correspondents and through agents, of religious tracts and pamphlets in those languages, and among those people, not provided for as yet by any of the publishing houses of the denomination We might depend upon the missions in whose territory the work was done to bear one-half of the expense of the distribution. And in those fields where we have no missions the International Society could bear the entire expense.MMM 378.21

There are at present urgent calls for publications, in Russian, Spanish, Portugese, Armenian, Greek, Chinese, Indian, Pollish, Bohemian, Finnish, Hawaian and in the native tongues of the Pacific Islanders. In most of the above, there are persons coming to the light, who feel a deep interest for their countrymen, and are anxious to enlarge as soon as possible in the work of circulating the publications among them. In several cases their anxiety is so great that they have begun, upon their own responsibility, the translation of some of our smaller books into their native languages. There is already quite a stir among some of our people because we are so slow in the matter of printing in these tongues.MMM 378.22

Why should not the International Tract Society enter upon this important work immediately? It ought not to interfere with the work of any of our publishing houses, nor should it assume burdens that they are willing to carry. But there is a great and important work outside and beyond the range of their opperations, which no one seems to be planning for, and which is very important, and urgent. And who would be expected to feel the burden of this work, if not the officers if the international Tract Society?MMM 378.23

There is another branch of international work which promises a rich harvest, the placing of our publications within the reach of the tens of thousands of summer tourists from every nation, tongue, and people who visit Switzerland, Southern Germany, and parts of France during the, summer season. It is by far the surest and quickest way to get the truth before these people. The tourists are usually from the most influential classes of the nations that they represent They are the most inquiring, intelligent and wealthy, and they are just the ones to carry the Third Angel’s Message to the ends of the earth.MMM 378.24

This field is a wide one, and it is ripe for the harvest. The efforts of Eld. Wm. ings have demonstrated the fact that the best hotels entertaining tourists, will gratefully accept files of our religious journals, in the English, German, French, Dutch, Swedish, and Danish languages. Why should not the International Tract Society take hold of this great work?MMM 379.1

Another line of work which is of the greatest importance might be set in operation on a much broader scale than at present, by the holding of a three months school, or institute, for the training of foreign missionary correspondents, and secretaries for the foreign branches of the International Tract Society. Perhaps two or three such institutes might be held during the coming year under the leadership of the secretary of the society. While the class is in progress, as well as afterward, its members should labor by correspondence to secure the introduction of religious reading matter into all the colonies, and to all the nations, where as yet we have no living missionaries.MMM 379.2

Each of these lines of word will require for its successful accomplishment the careful planning, and active co-operation of a wise and energetic committee.MMM 379.3

Should there not be at this meeting a definite apportionment of the surplus funds of the society to these most important enterprises, and the appointment of a committee to take charge of each appropriation, for example, ought we not to appropriate $1,000. in cash to meet the expense of the distribution of such reading matter as shall be donated to the society by the printing houses of the denomination.MMM 379.4

Also $500 or $1,000 to furnish publications, stationary, and postage, for the use of the secretary, and her classes of missionary correspondents.MMM 379.5

Also $2,000 to begin the work of translation and publication of tracts into those languages whose people have not as yet heard the third Angel’s message.MMM 379.6

We believe that a liberal fund might be raised for this latter work. Some of our brethren would give freely to it.MMM 379.7

If it is thought that a three month’s course at the proposed institutes for the instruction of international correspondents and secretaries is sufficient, it would appear that there ought to be three such institutes held the coming year; one in Battle Creek, one in Chicago, and one in the Eastern States.MMM 379.8

resolutions

Your committee respectfully submit the following resolutions:MMM 379.9

1. Resolved, that $2,000 of the surplus fund of the International Tract Society be appropriated to the translation and publication of such tracts in foreign languages as our publishing houses have not, and are not prepared to publish.MMM 379.10

2. Resolved, that $1,000 of the same fund be appropriated to meet the expenses of distributing in foreign lands such reading matter as may be donated by our publishing houses.MMM 379.11

3. Resolved, that we invite liberal contributions to the International Tract Society, to increase its funds, that the objects, for which it was designed may be advanced.MMM 379.12

4. Resolved, that schools be established for the training of young people of different nationalities to act as secretaries and correspondents with their respective people.MMM 379.13

5. Resolved, that a committee of seven be appointed to examine the new works issued during the year by our several publishing houses, and present a brief review of the same with suggestions as to the field usefulness of each. And we suggest that L. C. Chadwick, E. E. Miles, F. E. Belden, A. T. Jones, C. A. Hall, L. R. Conradi, and J. F. Hanson, constitute said committee.MMM 379.14

6. Whereas, the Pacific Press bas just issued a valuable work entitled “Prophetic Lights” intended as a companion volume to the “Signs of the Time,” therefore, Resolved, that we recommend to our workers throughout the country an active canvass to increase the circulation of the Signs by securing subscribers for it accompanied by Prophetic Lights.MMM 379.15

W. C. White,MMM 379.16

For Committee on Resolutions.MMM 379.17

Moved, that the report be adopted by acting on each resolution separately.MMM 379.18

Pending this motion the meeting adjourned, at the close of which the chair appointed the following committee on blanks: L. C Chadwick, E. W. Farnsworth, R. M. Kilgore.MMM 379.19

Adjourned to the call of the chair.MMM 379.20

SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST
GENERAL CONFERENCE
DAILY BULLETIN
VOL. 2. MINNEAPOLIS, MINN., OCT. 26, 1888. NO. 7.

Eighth Day’s Proceedings