OUR PERIODICALS by Stephen Nelson Haskell

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA · Apr 22, 1880

OUR PERIODICALS.

By Stephen Nelson Haskell

WE have never fully realized the importance of extending the circulation of our periodicals. We have no settled ministers over our churches, as have many of the denominations around us. Our ministers are few in comparison to the number of our churches. They are all missionaries. With their cotton meeting-houses during the Summer months, and in school-houses, halls and meeting houses in the Winter, they are constantly entering new fields and raising up churches, which are left to the care of experienced lay brethren.

The Review is our denominational paper, which comes laden with meat in due season to the household of faith. The Youth's Instructor brings the weekly lessons that all may systematically study the Scriptures. It also contains much valuable information and instruction adapted to all ages. It is free from that child-talk and those chaffy stories which so often characterize such periodicals. The Good Health is not denominational in its character; neither it is a bigoted journal, containing strong assertions without reason for them. Its teaching is plain, practical, common sense, giving the true principles of health, and instructions how to avoid disease and how to recover health when it is lost. It should make its monthly visits to every respectable reading room in the country.

Nothing but a favorable impression can be made upon any candid mind by reading either of the above mentioned periodicals. The same may be said of those in the French, Danish, Swedish and German languages.

The Signs of the Times is a pioneer sheet. It is our missionary paper, printed for our Tract and Missionary Societies, to be used as a John the Baptist to awaken an interest and prepare a people for the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ten thousand copies weekly, making 500,000 copies yearly, should be taken in clubs and re-mailed by our tract workers to all parts of the civilized world. All those who are laboring to interest others in the solemn truths of the judgment and the second advent of our Lord should take a part in the work of placing this journal before others. Not an idler should be found in the vineyard. This periodical should be in the hands of every believer for distribution. It should be loaned, given away, used in obtaining subscribers, etc., etc. Its mission is to enter new fields and raise the standard of truth where darkness prevails. With our present army of missionary workers, there should be not less than an edition of 20,000 used the present Summer. The farmer should ever have them by him to loan to his neighbor as he meets him by the way, to the stranger as he may come in contact with him. They should be upon the merchant's counter, that his customer may be furnished with the rays of light as they leave his place of business. Our sisters also can here find a field of labor. As they call upon their neighbors and their neighbors call upon them, these should be occasions of introducing the Signs to others. Ministers, while traveling in the stage coach, in the cars, or on the water, should ever be prepared to give their fellow-travelers something to read which will elevate the mind to God and heaven. The varied readings contained in a periodical will interest many, where a denominational tract would give offense. "Blessed are ye that sow beside all waters," are the words of God. "Cast thy bread upon the waters, for thou shalt find it after many days." We are to sow the seed; sow it in love and in tears, although the circumstances might at the time be as apparently unfavorable as it was for the men of the East to sow their rice in the waters of the Nile, as it overflowed its banks.

If there is any affinity in the heart of man for righteousness and true holiness, the earnest appeals in behalf of the cause of Christ contained in this pioneer sheet will be sure to find a chord that will vibrate. Then again, the truth is of God, and it is always backed up by his Holy Spirit; therefore it must prove a success. "For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater; so shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth; it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it," Isa. 55:10, 11.

This is an enterprise that is worthy the consideration of all. All lovers of the truth in the country should take a part in it. Men will invest in uncertain enterprises, borrow money and run risks, but here is an enterprise that will yield a reward which is more valuable than stocks or bonds. We recommend it to all who have an interest in eternal things. S. N. HASKELL.