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THE MINNESOTA WORKER.
* Christian. They reported, recommending ‘‘that the
profits from the sale of literature by. xonference la-
3
borers, over and above the actual expense for free
distribution by themselves, be used to form a tract
fund for conference laborers and canvassers’”’* On a
motion to adopt the report, an amendment was of-
fered and carried by vote, That the laborers, in their
annual report to the Conference, report their book
sales, and also the value of tracts given away.”
On Sunday morning, after disposing of the fore-
going question, the one under consideration on Fri-
day, viz. ‘‘the relation we sustain to the missionary
work’ was taken up, and, after some discussion, a
committee of five was appointed, to formulate a plan
for future work. The committee’ was composed of
Brethren Mead, Curtis, Phelps, Everest, and Sister
Ellis. In the afternoon the report of the committee
was presented as follows:
1. Co-operation upon the part of all the laborers.
2. Co-operation between church elders and librari-
ans. 3. Have the laborers prepare readings from
the Bible and the Testimonies, for the missionary
work of the church, as an educational help. With
these and extracts of actual experience in missionary
work. 4. All these to be sent to Sister Ellis for
such correction as may be necessary, and to be du-
plicated for the churches, copies to be furnished to
both elders and librarians. 3. That Bro. Flaiz and
Sr. Ellis write a joint letter to the elders, showing
them their true position in the missionary work, and
put with each letter a copy of the tract Home Mis-
sionary Work, and that a copy of this letter be sent
to the librarian also. 6. That the elders hold coun-
cil meetings, at least once a month, in which all the
officers of the church, the missionary society and the
Sabbath-school may seek the Lord together; and
unite in their efforts not only to arouse a working
interest in every member, but to so plan the work
that all may have a part; the arrangements for the
missionary meetings to be considered also at the
same time,
The report was considered by items, and the
third item was amended by adding “That the Presi-
dent and Corresponding Secretary prepare topics and
furnish to the laborers upon which to prepare read-
ings.” Also the fifth item, “That a copy of the let-
ter be furnished to the various laborers”. With
these amendments, the report was adopted. Bro.
Flaiz brought up the matter of laborers’ reports, and
exhibited some of the reports on hand, and showed
how they may be improved, and so be better and
easier understood. Bro. Curtis requested that labor-
ers give their address in each report in connection
with their name at the head of the blank.
Bro. Losey called attention to the matter of
ordering from the Tract Society, reading a letter re-
ceived from a librarian, and pointing out some of its
defects, and showed that in ordering supplies, the
orders should be separate from the body of the letter,
and all grouped together.
Voted that the Secretary be requested to prepare
a condensed report of the meeting for the WORKER.
Voted that we extend our heartfelt thanks to the
brethren and sisters of the Minneapolis church for
their cordial entertainment of us during the meeting,
Bro. Nettleton presented some ‘‘Good Words for the
People of God” in the evening, which was followed
by a parting service, and the meeting closed.
D. P. Curtis, Sec.
MISSTONARY WORKs
“Your light must not be confined to a small com-
pass, put under a bushel or under a bed, but on a
candle stick, that it may give light to all that are in
the house. The house is the world. You must take
broader views of the work than you have taken.”
—Special Testimony No. 7, p. 5.
“Men are now earnestly plying every art and
trade in order to satisfy their desire for more gain.
If they would use this tact and zeal and careful
thoughtfulness in an effort to gain something for
the Lord's treasury, how much would be ac-
complished! When men who are thoroughly selfish
accept Christ, they will show that they have a new
heart; and instead of grasping all they possibly can
obtain to benefit themselves, instead of making lit-
tle, stunted sacrifices for the Lord, they will cheer-
fully do all that they can to advance his work.”
—Special Testimony No. 10, p. 28.
“I urge you for your souls’ sake to hear my plea
now for those who are missionaries in foreign coun-
tries, whose hands are tied by your ways. Satan has
been working with all his powers of deception to
bring matters to that pass where the way will be
hedged up for want of means in the treasury.
Do you realize that every year thousands and
thousands and ten times ten thousand souls are per-
ishing, dying in their sins? The plagues and judg-
ments of God are already doing their work, and souls
are going to ruin because the light of truth has not
‘been flashed upon their pathway. Do we fully be-
lieve that we are to carry the word of God to all the
world? Who believes this? ‘How then shall they
call on him in whom they have not believed? and
how shall they believe in him of whom they have not
heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?’
Who has the faith that will enable them to practice
this word? Who believes in the light which God has
fested in the work of God by -our churches alarms
me. I would. ask all who have means, to remember
that God has entrusted this means to them to be
used in the advancement of the work which Christ
came to our world to do.”
—Special Testimony No. 10, p. 31, 32.
It is hardly necessary to say that the second Sab-
bath in each month is gladly used in most of our
churches for the consideration of our duties and
privileges in connection with the support of our mis-
sionaries in foreign fields, and the collection of of-
ferings for the foreign work. Do not forget this
blessed service. If we cannot go to distant fields, we
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THE MINNESOTA WORKER.
can, at least, hold in loving remembrance those who
are already there, and second their efforts by our
gifts and our prayers.
John 4:27.
“They marveled that the Master spoke
With one of alien race:
Perchance the gathering frowns were dark
On every Jewish face,
So little did they comprehend
The-wideness of his grace.
‘Are there, alas! disciples still
Who fail to understand
That living waters flow from heaven,
And reach to every land?
Who slight thee with their little faith
And scorn thy last command?”
A.E. E.
* THE SABBATH SCHOOL. x
Reports from Schools.
ROUND PRAIRIE: —“We have hardly arranged
our Sabbath-school in its proper place yet, but we
have a good school, and all seein to enjoy the bless-
ing of God more and more each Sabbath. May God
bless our school is my prayer.”
FREEBORN:—‘‘As the Sabbath-school has been
held in my house for about a year, I can say that al-
though small, it has been a live school, very inter-
esting and I trust very instructive. The members
have endeavored to make it a first-class school. The
Bible studies have been extensive, and I trust for the
good of all its members.”
PaLMyra:—*‘Our school has improved some but
it is very small, only a family of nine and we are the
only Sabbath-keepers around here so we do not see
how others do, but try to do our best.”
AUSTIN: —“We have a very interesting school
and each Sabbath when we leave, it is with the
blessing of God, and truly feeling that it has been
good to be there.”
“BI, UFFTON:— ‘Our school is progressing some
and also increasing in members, but most of the
members live quite a distance away so that they are
not able to be present all of the time.”
OwATONNA:—“The Lord has been good and
blessed us in our work in many ways, although there
has been many changes. Some have gone away and
more are going soon, yet we know the Lord will help
those that remain. Some have been added to our
number.
We like the plan of having a written review at
the end of the quarter, very much and hope that
much more will be accomplished in the coming year
than in the past.”
St. PauL:—*‘‘Although our membership is not as
large as it was at the end of last quarter, the Lord is
with us and blesses us just the same. We have
moved from our chapel on Wacouta Street as it was
so cold in winter, and are gow nolding our services
in a hall on corner of Fifth and Sixth Streets.”
WiNoNA:—*Our Sabbath-school has taken a step
forward. Last Sabbath we had our first second Sab-
bath meeting for the children and it was a success.
One gave the life of Daniel, another the life of
Joseph, and another the life of Martin Luther. Two
little ones sang ‘God Made the Lillies’, other songs
were sung by the older ones.”
WELLS: —Qur school is getting along nicely.
~ Some of the children have paid in money from their
missionary gardens, others will pay theirs later.
Quite often there is a birth-day offering given. Some
of our scholars are very faithful in this respect. We
decided some time ago, at our teachers’ meeting,
that as we profess to be commandment keepers, we
should be able, both old and young, to repeat them.
So each Sabbath after the classes are seated for reci-
tation the teachers are given from five to ten minutes
to teach their classes the commandments before be-
ginning the study of the lesson. All seem to like the
plan. I think the lessons in the Little Friend are very
difficult for the little minds to comprehend since we
have begun the study of the book of Acts.”
FANNIE P. JOHNSON.
¢ NOTES FROM THE FIELD.
Lake City.
I was with this church Oct. 22-26. During this
time I held five public services, and eight other
meetings, giving instruction in the various lines of
work. One meeting of special interest was that of
the ordinances of the Lord’s house, $17 were also do-
nated on the Relief Fund. A new librarian and
clerk were elected to fill the vacancy made by the re-
moval of Sister Ei. M. Webster. The work of the li-
brarian was divided, and all accounts of funds that
might be raised in the church for work outside the
church, was placed in the hands of the deacon,
This will leave the librarian to devote her energies
alltogether to the missionary work of the church, and
will greatly simplify her accounts, rendering them
less liable of confusion. It will place some of the re-
sponsibilities upon the deacon, where they rightly
belong. All seemed to drink in the instruction given,
and it was an occasion to be remembered, on account
of the presence of-the Holy Spirit.
Red Wing.
As THERE are a few believers in this city, I con-
cluded it was best to spend a couple of days here.
‘Four parlor meetings were held during this time
giving instcuction in regard to the times in which we
are even now living, and the work for this time. All
seemed to be encouraged by the visit, and apprecia-
ted the instruction given. Bro. Baldwin of this city
gave $5.00 on the Relief Fund. Personally Ienjoyed
my visit at both these places. From this place I go
to Zumbrota. H. F. PHELPS.