General Conference Bulletin, vol. 4

THE MISSIONARY READING CIRCLE

A study of the situation of the churches and of the remedy as pointed out by the Spirit of God, resulted, in the summer of 1899, in the formation of what is now known as the Missionary Reading Circle. Here are a few sentences from Testimonies received about that time: “A crisis in missionary effort is upon us.” “The churches are withering up because they have failed to use their talents in diffusing the light of truth to others.” “Well-organized work must be done in the church, that its members may understand the manner in which they may impart light to others, and thus strengthen their own faith and increase their knowledge.” “Let the distinct message for this time be sent from watchman to watchman on the walls of Zion.” Can not we do more for the churches, that they may be aroused to act upon the light already given?” GCB April 16, 1901, page 273.10

Recognizing in these messages a direct rally-cry to our churches to engage in active service, it was felt that an earnest effort should be made to carry out the instruction given. In studying plans by which this missionary movement might be accomplished, the needs of our own people came prominently to mind. In the words of a Testimony, “Many have embraced the truth, and yet they have not been educated as to how they may serve the cause of God, and thereby grow in spiritual muscle and sinew.” There is also that other large and older class of whom the Spirit of the Lord has said, “The love of the truth is dying out of their hearts.” Then there is the flower of our flock,—our boys and girls. Many of them never can have the advantages of our educational institutions, and they must be trained in homes and churches for the work of God. It seems clearly evident that in order to secure a substantial, permanent, and general revival of missionary effort, the first step taken should be one of preparation. For this reason, the lessons on Daniel and Revelation were planned. These Bible lessons were afterward combined with the series of lessons upon the field, prepared by the Foreign Mission Board. Thus the Missionary Reading Circle has comprised two distinct lines of reading,—the study of the principles of our faith, and the study of the field. GCB April 16, 1901, page 273.11

The plan recommended is a very simple one. The lessons have been designed primarily for home study. They may be studied by one person as successfully as by a large company. It has been especially urged that the lessons be made a family study, parents and children uniting in it. The publication of these lessons in both the Review and Herald and the Missionary Magazine has placed them in the hands of the people as fully as possible. It was also recommended that review meetings be held where members were so situated that they could conveniently meet. It was not designed that these Circle meetings should take the place of the home study, but rather that they should be the training school of the church. In the Bible studies particularly, the review meetings should afford a training to young and inexperienced workers, in presenting to others in an intelligent way the truths they learn. GCB April 16, 1901, page 274.1

Those who have been laboring in the interests of the Circle work have constantly urged that the real object of the study was to fit the members for active service in the cause of God. The study of the truth for the last days should fill every heart with a love for it, and with a sense of the urgency of the work to be done. The study of the field should give an idea of the needs and opportunities for work both at home and abroad. It would seem that the carrying out of the true plan of the Reading Circle should be of practical help to every man, woman, and child in our ranks, in doing the work that God has given all to do. GCB April 16, 1901, page 274.2

It is not easy to give any exact report of the progress of this work. We have no statistics representing the Reading Circle membership. It is only possible to judge of the general progress of the work in any Conference by the correspondence from that State. The following summary gives the situation as reported by State officers. GCB April 16, 1901, page 274.3

CALIFORNIA.—A majority of the churches have taken up the studies. Good results. GCB April 16, 1901, page 274.4

DAKOTA.—The Corresponding Secretary reports 800 circle members, which is a little more than one third the membership. GCB April 16, 1901, page 274.5

MICHIGAN.—The Secretary reports 100 churches carrying the studies, and a Circle membership of 2,000. GCB April 16, 1901, page 274.6

MISSOURI.—A little over fifty per cent of the churches have taken up the work. GCB April 16, 1901, page 274.7

NEW ENGLAND.—The Corresponding Secretary reports that two thirds of the churches are studying the lessons. Interest excellent and increasing. GCB April 16, 1901, page 274.8

NEW YORK.—Circle work fairly well started. Good results. GCB April 16, 1901, page 274.9

PENNSYLVANIA.—The Secretary reports a majority of the churches carrying the studies in one form or another. GCB April 16, 1901, page 274.10

IOWA.—The work is well started. Members reporting, 325. GCB April 16, 1901, page 274.11

WEST VIRGINIA.—The President reports that the people have earnestly responded to the call to take up this work, and that they have been greatly blessed in it. GCB April 16, 1901, page 274.12

ILLINOIS.—The Secretary reports four fifths of the churches studying the lessons. GCB April 16, 1901, page 274.13

CUMBERLAND.—The Secretary reports seventy-five Circle members, which is one fifth the entire church membership. GCB April 16, 1901, page 274.14

FLORIDA.—The Tract Society Secretary reports 150 Circle members. GCB April 16, 1901, page 274.15

MINNESOTA.—Through the efforts of the Corresponding Secretary, the study of the field began sometime before the regular Circle work was planned. Results quite encouraging. No special effort has been reported in behalf of the Bible study. GCB April 16, 1901, page 274.16

The Superintendent of District 2 reports that as a result of the Reading Circle, there has been a revival in that district of the spirit that prevailed in the earlier days of the message. GCB April 16, 1901, page 274.17

In Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Maine, Nebraska, Ohio, Ontario, and Vermont, this work has made a beginning, and a number of churches in each of these Conferences are falling into line, but no more specific report has been made. The other Conferences have either not reported or else report that but little has been done. As may readily be seen, the progress of the work differs greatly in different Conferences. Generally speaking, in those Conferences where the State officers have been able to give it a share of attention, the work is well organized, and has made encouraging progress. GCB April 16, 1901, page 274.18

In answer to the question, “What has been the direct result of the study of the Circle lessons?” the following replies have been made by leading workers: “A deeper consecration of heart to God and his work;” “An increased interest in Bible Study;” “A revival of the missionary spirit;” “An increased knowledge of, and interest in, foreign fields;” “A help to our young people in many ways;” “Increased donations to foreign fields;” “The Bible study has decidedly turned the tide toward the distinctive features of the third angel’s message;” “Greater activity in the Master’s service;” “A deeper interest in all lines of church and missionary work, and a decided increase in missionary offerings;” “Deeper devotion to the work both at home and abroad;” “The results have been all that could reasonably be expected of an untried work, in so short a time.” These quoted testimonies, based upon actual observation and experience, reflect in substance the general sentiment concerning the Circle work in those places where it has been faithfully and intelligently carried out. The plan has called for too much real study and work to catch the popular fancy, so that it has required the most patient and persevering effort in its behalf. A correspondent aptly expresses it thus; “It is not easy to get all to see the importance of the study, but that shows all the more how much it is needed.” And is it not true that unconscious need is the most difficult to supply? for he who knows not of his lack, ofttimes refuses that which is of greatest value, even when it is placed within his hand. GCB April 16, 1901, page 274.19

I have nothing to urge with reference to the future of this work, and gladly leave that responsibility with you. GCB April 16, 1901, page 274.20

Certainly this Conference will not attempt to plan for the extension of the message into the uttermost parts of the earth, and at the same time neglect the development of the resources by which this work may be done. Our home churches must become more self-helpful, and more helpful to the work at home and abroad. In some way the latent talent of our lay membership must be aroused, instructed, developed, and set to work. This not only means life to the churches, but it means the sparing of experienced laborers, and the hearty support of the work in the “regions beyond.” If the Reading Circle plan is wholly inadequate as a help in the accomplishment of what is needed, discard it. If the plan can be so changed as better to meet the need, change it. But whatever the plan adopted, it needs not merely the passive assent of the conference laborers to make it effective, but their active co-operation. My only desire in this matter is that we may be so in touch with the Source of Life, that the heart-throbs of this great Conference may send the life-blood flowing richly into even the smallest arteries of the body of Christ, which is his church. GCB April 16, 1901, page 275.1

MRS. L. FLORA PLUMMER,
Cor. Sec. Int. Tract Soc.