Historical Sketches of the Foreign Missions of the Seventh-day Adventists

REORGANIZATION OF THE TRACT SOCIETY

Owing to various causes, principally the feeble health of Bro. Andrews, which had prevented his laboring among the churches, the organization of the Tract Society, commenced in the year 1874, had not been fully carried out. Realizing more fully than ever before its importance and practical value, the brethren were desirous that a thorough organization should be effected in harmony with the plan generally adopted by our American brethren. In view of the fact that complete records had not been kept of the organization already commenced, it was decided that the society should be newly organized; and in accordance with this plan sixty-one persons paid their membership of five francs each. B. L. Whitney was chosen president, and John Vuilleumier secretary. The field represented by the delegates present was divided into districts, and a Board of Directors was chosen. HSFM 41.3

In order to effect a more thorough organization of the Tract and Missionary Society, and to increase the interest in this branch of work, a general missionary meeting was held at Chaux-de-Fonds, Nov. 24-26. Seven directors were present, and librarians from nearly all the local societies. In addition to the special instruction given concerning the details of the missionary organization, the brethren were invited to subscribe for copies of the new German paper which it was expected would be published with the beginning of the new year. With the utmost cheerfulness, and without urging, those present subscribed for six hundred and eighteen copies to be used in the missionary work. The regular edition of Les Signes was at this time six thousand copies, all of which were either sent to regular subscribers or used in the missionary work. HSFM 41.4

Reference has already been made to the sickness of Sister Anna M. Oyer. From the first it was evident that the disease had taken a firm hold, and was making steady progress which the efforts of skillful physicians could not arrest. Her death occurred Nov. 26, and she was buried in the mission lot of the beautiful cemetery of Basle. By her death the mission was deprived of the labors of an earnest and untiring worker. HSFM 41.5

The practical importance of the Sabbath-school work was also considered at the Conference, and an effort was made to stimulate greater regularity in this branch of work in the various churches. To aid in securing this end, a Sabbath-school Association was formed, of which B. L. Whitney was chosen president, and E. H. Whitney secretary. An executive committee of five was also chosen. HSFM 41.6

During the winter of 1883-4, Eld. D. T. Bourdeau, who had located in the city of Bienne, gave a course of lectures in that city, and also in Tramelan. As the result of these efforts, several persons were added to the companies in these places. A reorganization of these churches was effected, and a Sabbath-school was organized in each locality. HSFM 42.1