Quite a number of the members of the Battle Creek church are not residents of this city, but are scattered from New England to California, and from the Gulf States to the extreme north. Some of these are not careful, in reporting, to give their addresses. Sisters marry, and their names are changed, and there are those who do not see the necessity of even reporting at all; and as these persons go from Battle Creek, and move from place to place, their post office addresses are hopelessly lost. It can thus be seen at a glance MBC94 11.5
that the clerk of this church should have the true and full address of every non-resident member. It is also desirable in this large church that there be as few non-resident members as possible; this is the late recommendation of the president of the General Conference. Recently the names of some have been dropped because they fail to report, and do not furnish us their addresses. Many of this class do not get the usual annual church letter, which is intended for all absent members, and which gives important facts concerning the work of God here, that all should have. MBC94 12.1