Our Literature by F. W. Paap

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jan 7, 1915

Our Literature

By F. W. Paap

“Words of cheer from the battle field of life, Welcome tidings from the war, Glorious news from the grand and holy strife: Soon the conflict will be o’er.”

In looking over the present situation, the preceding lines force themselves upon my mind. Knowing God’s will and plans for this day and age places a tremendous responsibility upon us. We rejoice to know that on the part of many there is a determination to discharge this responsibility with faithfulness. “The world is to receive the light of truth through an evangelizing ministry of the word in our books and periodicals.”—Testimonies for the Church, Vol. IX, page 61. “The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it.” Ps. 68: 11. “Let our literature give the message as a witness to all the world.”—Ib.

Seventh-day Adventists possess knowledge which the world needs, and they have what many hearts are longing for. Everywhere men’s hearts are failing them for fear; their hearts are troubled. We have a healing balm for all such. God has given this light, this comfort, this key, to us that we might pass it on to others. In a special sense we have been set in the world as watchmen, and light bearers. To us has been intrusted the last warning for a perishing world. Our work is to proclaim the first, second, and third angels’ messages. There is no other work of so great importance.

Those to whom this great work has been intrusted are beginning to wake up. We praise God for the partial evidences of this soon-to-be-seen great awakening. I have before me an interesting comparative statement of work done by the various conferences in connection with the Signs weekly. Some are doing splendidly. What can we say or do to lead the large majority who are evidently inactive to take part in circulating this paper? We have now a circulation of the Signs weekly of over 30,000. Let us make it 50,000. We can if we will try. Nothing is so successful as success. Let this be secured by persevering effort, and the work will move forward.

Do you know, dear reader, that the people want our literature? I have before me a very interesting item from the Minnesota Conference. “Dr. —, pastor of the tabernacle of this city, conducts a Bible class every Friday evening. He has been giving some studies on the Armageddon question, and having learned of our tract on that subject, called at the office. He has already secured 500 for distribution to the members of his class. He recommends this

tract highly, as well as the one on ‘Turkey and Its End.’ In the same city another very influential minister recommended to his congregation our tract on Armageddon, saying that every person ought to distribute five or ten among his friends.”

This certainly is encouraging, and we hope our people everywhere will manifest the same interest, and will enter enthusiastically into this great soul-winning campaign. The gospel of the kingdom is the message for which the world is perishing; and this message is to be brought quite largely to the attention of the world through our literature.

F. W. PAAP.