Have We Done Enough? by E. M. Graham

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 11, 1915

Have We Done Enough?

By E. M. Graham

“This one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

THERE is only one thing upon which the thoughts and energies of Seventh-day Adventists should be concentrated—the finishing of God’s work.

In the recent earthquake in Italy we have had another reminder that we are entering upon the time of trouble when God’s judgments are poured out upon a guilty world. As we read of thirty thousand persons being killed in thirty seconds, we wonder if every possible effort had been made to bring those persons to Christ. If thirty thousand persons were destroyed tomorrow in some section of this country, should we feel clear that everything had been done that could have been done to save their souls? If not, should we not make this one thing our aim, to give the message everywhere, to every one, as quickly as possible? We know not where the next judgment will fall.

One means of doing this is within the reach of practically all our members. It is through the circulation of our literature. At the beginning of the winter our members were asked to make a general effort to circulate the Signs of the Times weekly, and arrangements were made to have the six months’ series of the paper cover all the leading points of our faith, as well as to deal with the striking fulfillments of prophecy now taking place. The aim set was an average of two copies a member. It will be seen by the following figures that the response made by our people has been far below the aim.

For the week ending Jan. 1, 1915, the number of papers mailed to each union conference is as follows:—

UNION	PAPERS	NO. OF MEM. TO EACH COPY
Atlantic	1,976	3
Central	3,270	2½
Columbia	3,789	2
Eastern Canadian	679	1½
Lake	4,949	2½
Northern	2,623	2½
North Pacific	3,418	2½
Pacific	4,485	2½
Southeastern	1,259	2½
Southwestern	1,818	2½
Southern	634	4
Western Canadian	712	2½

It will be seen by these figures that on an average it has taken five members to take two copies, instead of each member taking two. It is therefore evident that a great many of our people, considerably more than a majority of them, are doing nothing with this paper; for we know that many are taking more than the two copies a week.

It is true that we now have many lines of literature,—tracts, papers, magazines, and books,—and some like to work with one kind of literature, and others with another. But making allowance for all these things, it would be well for our members to ask themselves if they are satisfied with the circulation they are giving this missionary paper.

It is said by some that they find the paper too expensive for free distribution, and this is no doubt true of some members, though all cannot truly make this excuse, not by any means. This, however, need not keep members from circulating the paper, for it may be readily sold. The minds of the people are troubled because of the war and other calamities that are abroad in the world, and they will buy and read those papers which show what these things mean.

We therefore come back to the question, Is the present circulation of this paper as large as we believe the Lord would have it? If not, should not every member consider whether he can do more in this work? It is an individual matter between each Sabbath keeper and the Lord. The call is, “Go work today in my vineyard.” Matt. 21: 28.

E. M. GRAHAM.