“Every One Said to His Brother, Be of Good Courage”
By William C. White
“So the carpenter encouraged the goldsmith, and he that smootheth with the hammer him that smote the anvil, saying, It is ready for the soldering: and he fastened it with nails that it should not be moved.” In response to inquiries with reference to the progress of the work with ‘Christ’s Object Lessons’ in various parts of the field, we are receiving many words of encouragement. That others may have the benefit of these cheering words and encouraging experiences, we print with this a few extracts from letters received, showing what has been accomplished by some who have gone forth in humble faith to work for the Master with this good book. From the Western Oregon Conference the good word comes: “Our quota was between ten and eleven thousand dollars’ worth of the books, 8,304 copies. About eight thousand dollars of this amount, or a little over, we have received from the efforts put forth thus far, and it has been applied on the college indebtedness. Our purpose has been just what it is now,—to stay by the work till it is done. We will do all we can during the coming month to enlist the churches and companies in the special effort for the sale of the book.” One brother “was feeling a burden to take up the canvassing work when ‘Christ’s Object Lessons’ came to us. Finally he decided to ask the Lord for a test, promising that he would enter the canvassing field if, in one day, he could sell six copies of ‘Christ’s Object Lessons’ and three smaller books. During his first day’s work, he sold eleven copies of the former and five of the latter, sixteen in all.” This brother is now a State canvassing agent. At a meeting held in College View last September, the president of the West Michigan Conference, in speaking of the campaign with “Christ’s Object Lessons,” said:— “One of the most interesting features of this work to me is this: Last summer, while our ministers were engaged in tent work, constant calls were coming from the churches that had been most active in selling ‘Christ’s Object Lessons’ for a minister to come and baptize converts. During the months of July, August, and September I had the privilege of baptizing nearly one hundred persons, the greater portion of whom had been reached through the work of the churches with that book. In one place20a class leader of the Methodist Church had been very active in fighting Adventists; but he was reached through this book, and I had the privilege of baptizing him.” This addition of new church-members as a result of the work with this book is illustrated by the experience of one of our brethren in Wisconsin. This brother, “who was selling from a book wagon, did much of his pioneer work by selling ‘Christ’s Object Lessons.’ In one neighborhood where he thus worked, a Sabbath-school was organized, and Bible readings with the people followed. Later came conversions and baptisms, and at this writing no less than twelve persons have become members of the church to which this brother belonged. He has sold more than four hundred copies of ‘Christ’s Object Lessons.’” There is no limit to the results that may be obtained by continuous, earnest, united effort, put forth in the work of the Lord. A special warning, however, is given us that we become not weary in well-doing. To those who heed this warning, the promise is sure that “in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” Shall we not, then, increase our efforts in every good work to which the Lord has called us as individuals and as a people? W. C. WHITE.