Scatter the Books and Papers.
By Editor
We are satisfied that there is one branch of the work in which we are engaged, upon which there needs to be a great advance among this people; and that is, the circulation of our publications. From what has already been done in this respect, and the many that have embraced the truth from merely reading the books and papers, we can judge, to some extent, of the many honest hearts that might be reached all over the land, by a judicious yet liberal and wide-spread circulation of our publications. The number of living preachers is limited. The silent preachers, the printed sheets, can be multiplied by hundreds of thousands, if only called for. Then do not restrain these messengers of truth that are waiting to go forth upon their mission. Let them go by hundreds and thousands. Brethren and sisters, everywhere, resolve yourselves into a committee of the whole, to put into the hands of every person with whom there is a willingness to read, either the Review or some publication on present truth. The blessed results of such a move, eternity alone can tell. There are thousands waiting to embrace the truth, who do not as yet know that such a people as Seventh-day Adventists exist, or that any such truths are promulgated, as we hold. Who is to search out all these, and show them the light. This must not all be left to the preachers. The humblest believer may have some share in it, by heeding the injunction, “Cast thy bread upon the waters,” and sending forth upon their way, some publications well-stored with precious truth. We are assured that it would not in all cases be necessary to wait the “many days” before witnessing the good result. Another case has just come to our knowledge, of hearts ready to receive the truth simply from reading, which is calculated to admonish us as to our duty in sending forth the books where such ones can get hold of them, as well as to greatly encourage all lovers of truth to take hold of the work with new energy and zeal. A person in this State who has by some means come in contact with some of our publications, writes:— “I have become greatly interested by reading several of your publications of late. Although a humble layman, I have been for the present year preaching to an unsupplied community in an adjacent town. Before I read any of your works, I had become deeply impressed with the idea of the speedy advent of the Messiah. Your works were received with great joy to me. I conversed to-day with Eld. L. and Eld. S. of this town, who I found were firm believers in the truths you advocate. They are both Wesleyan ministers. Also Eld. K. of M., who is on this M. E. circuit. I think a majority of Christians in this community are convinced that the Adventists are on right ground. Your publications are eagerly read, and seem to strike conviction to the heart and conscience. “We are anxious that some one of your body who is competent should come here and give us a series of discourses upon the subject. I will venture to pledge him a hearty welcome to our hearts and homes, also a good audience of attentive hearers. Were I competent, I would hereafter make this the burden of my discourses to my little flock. “Hoping you will do what you can for us, and that I shall hear from you soon, I subscribe myself,” &c. This person has now subscribed for the Review, and sent for other publications, and the way seems to be open for the living preachers to present the truth there with effect. We will add no more. Such facts urge us louder than words can do, to scatter the books and papers. What if ten are lost to every one that takes effect? It were better that the ten should be lost, than that the eleven should be withheld, and the good which the one might do, be left undone. Then scatter the Reviews. Scatter the books. Invoke God’s blessing upon them, and good will be the result.