Our Relatives and Friends

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 22, 1916

Our Relatives and Friends

ALL who believe in the early consummation of the third angel’s message have relatives, friends, or acquaintances in whom they are deeply interested and for whom they would do anything in their power in order that they might know of and have the opportunity to accept, the truth. Many of our members are waiting for an opportunity to do something for these, but no specially favorable way seems to have been suggested to them. Others have done some intermittent work for friends, but the great majority have attempted nothing in a well-planned, organized, systematic effort. For all there is a good tried plan that we recommend. It is as follows:—

Let all who have nonbelieving relatives and friends for whom they wish to do good work in presenting the message to them, send them a complete set of the Present Truth Series, beginning with No. 1 and continuing to No. 24, one number to be sent, by the publishers, each week until the entire series is covered. Sending one copy each week, the series will be covered in six months. The cost will be only 24 cents for the set of 24 numbers, to be mailed, postpaid, one each week for six months. This means that our relatives and friends will receive regularly each week a copy of the Present Truth Series, giving the message in the order best suited to the subjects, and in a way well calculated to prevent confusion and to lead to conviction—24 strong presentations on as many of the fundamental topics of the message, or 96 large pages sparkling with the brightest message gems in print; the giving of the message in a very effective way to each relative or friend for only 24 cents. We know of no better or cheaper way to reach this very dear class of people.

The day of the Lord is rapidly approaching, and there are thousands and thousands of our relatives and friends who are making their decision for eternal life or eternal death. The present day is the most favorable time we shall ever have to discharge our personal responsibility in behalf of those dear to us. This is the time especially referred to in the following statements:—

“All heaven is in activity, and the angels of God are waiting to cooperate with all who will devise plans whereby souls for whom Christ died may hear the glad tidings of salvation. Angels who minister to those that shall be heirs of salvation, are saying to every true saint, ‘There is work for you to do.’ ‘Go, stand and speak . . . to the people all the words of this life.’ Acts 5:20. If those addressed would obey this injunction, the Lord would prepare the way before them, putting them in possession of means wherewith to go.”—“Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. VI, pp. 433, 434.

“The very simplest modes of work should be devised and set in operation among the churches. If the members will unitedly accept such plans, and perseveringly carry them out, they will reap a rich reward; for their experience will grow brighter, their ability will increase, and through their efforts souls will be saved.”—Id., p. 433.

This special effort in behalf of our friends and relatives will be made simultaneously the world over, beginning September 1, this year, 1916, and ending March 1, 1917. Between now and September 1, all names and addresses should be sent in, through the tract societies, ready to begin promptly on September 1, it being very necessary to begin mailing all subscriptions at one time, and to receive no new names after that date. The effort for our friends and relatives is to be without variation, and limited to September 1 to March 1, not a name to be added after September 1, and no exceptions of any kind to be made in connection with any name. It is to be a straight and regular mailing of a copy of the Present Truth Series each week to each name on the list for six months.

Through this special plan for relatives and friends we may know just what they are reading as the weeks pass. We may write to them on the subjects we know they are studying in the papers, and we may pray especially for them individually as they come to the most important subjects; and the churches may pray for them collectively, and for the special effort being made in behalf of the dearest of all in the world to our people. This plan, faithfully worked, will bring great rejoicing to thousands of our members through relatives and friends accepting the truth, and the blessing of heaven bestowed upon those taking part in it.

There will be another list started Jan. 1, 1917, which may include subscriptions, either single or in clubs, for general missionary purposes. This list will be mailed once a month, or as often as the paper is published, and will be for the new series which will begin Jan. 1, 1917. Names for this list should be sent in for Present Truth beginning with the January list, 1917. Orders for this list should be sent in at least two months previously to the beginning of the list, Jan. 1, 1917.

Send all orders through the tract societies, for this special effort for relatives and friends, to Present Truth Series, September list. Send all orders for the new regular list, through the tract societies, to Present Truth, January list, 1917.