Loan Your Books by G. B. Thompson

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Jun 9, 1904

Loan Your Books

By G. B. Thompson

I was interested lately in an experience related by a sister in visiting among the people, and loaning them our denominational books from her private library. Many expressed great appreciation for them, and wondered why they had not received them before.

Why is not the plan worthy of imitation? Why should not scores of our people do this same thing? Some call for literature with which to do missionary work, and do not use that which they already have in their homes. Others excuse themselves from doing any special work for their neighbors on the plea that they are not able to purchase the literature, yet have a whole library of our good denominational books in their homes scarcely soiled.

These books will all burn up in the fires of the last day, like other books, and now is the time to put them in circulation, rather than let them be hid away in the bookcase to be dusted at the annual house-cleaning occasion. Having read them ourselves, we should pass them on for others to read and enjoy.

But you say, The books will become worn, and some of them will never be returned. Very likely; but you will feel better in the day when your Lord is seen coming on the cloud, if your books containing the message of salvation are worn out by your neighbors reading them instead of being shelf-worn. And suppose some of them are lost? They will be in the homes of some poor, judgment-bound souls as a witness that you made an effort to bring the light of truth to their homes.

Loan your books to your neighbors and friends, and then visit them with your Bible in your pocket, and prayerfully help them to understand the points that are not clear to them, and the Lord will water your own soul, and will give you souls as a reward. We should of course exercise caution, and not try to give them the whole message at one visit, but patiently lead them step by step into the light shining from the Word of the Lord.

G. B. THOMPSON.