p. 176 | THE MISSIONARY by Stephen Nelson Haskell

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Apr 15, 1880

THE MISSIONARY.

By Stephen Nelson Haskell

OUR PUBLISHING WORK AND OUR DUTY.

The publishing interest is the right arm of our strength. The labors of our most successful ministers would be comparatively fruitless were it not for our publications. The minister goes into some town or city, and pitches his cotton meeting-house, and as soon as he obtains a hearing, offers for sale his publications, which treat upon the subjects he has presented. It is thus that conviction is fastened upon minds in regard to those truths to which they have listened. Others also who could not attend the meetings, desirous to learn what is being presented at the tent, sometimes from curiosity, will obtain these publications and read with interest. It is in this manner that a knowledge of these truths will extend for miles around, to hundreds who have hitherto known nothing of them.

Reading creates a permanent interest, and those whose hearts are susceptible to divine impressions, and whose minds can comprehend the truth, will see its beauty, feel its force, and be led to embrace it. Tens of thousands of people all over the land learn of the truth, and many embrace it who would have had no knowledge of it were it not for the silent messengers which find their way by mail and otherwise to every part of the civilized world.

We repeat it, our publishing interest is the right arm of our power and the principal means of awakening an interest and communicating the light to the ends of the earth.

The publishing interest must be sustained by its friends at all hazard. Our brethren and sisters upon this coast have done nobly in the past in donating of their means and taking shares in this Association. There are some who have more recently embraced the truth who have not done this. They also should feel it their privilege to take shares in the Association, and those embracing the truth should be thus educated by the ministers. The institution is owned by shareholders, and no one person is benefited by its proceeds. Those employed by the Association, who take responsibilities, receive from five to ten dollars per week less than would be paid for such labor in worldly institutions of like character on the coast.

ANOTHER EFFECTUAL METHOD

of sustaining the publishing work, and also of carrying out the object for which this printing-house was established, is to make a market for our publications among our people and others. We need canvassers and colporters who will devote their entire time to the sale of these publications. Each friend of the cause can and should take an active interest in this branch of the work. Ministers should act as agents. Our brethren and sisters should become more intelligent on present truth and be prepared to give a reason of our hope in an acceptable manner to those who may desire it. This can only be accomplished by reading and studying our publications. There should be a library of our works in every family of Seventh-day Adventists. The three volumes of Spirit of Prophecy should be owned and read by all. None can afford to be without them.

The visit of Sister White to this coast this spring has been timely. Another such opportunity for her to visit individual churches may never occur. Our brethren have been encouraged and much strengthened. And hundreds not of our faith, have listened to her testimony. This makes the present a golden opportunity in which to introduce her works to others.

The interest in every place where she has been should be followed up by calling the attention of the people to her works. These speak for themselves. Before this, prejudice would have prevented many from reading; now they will examine them. All should feel an equal interest in this, and each individual who believes in present truth should be awake and press the battle, and retain the victory which God's providence has so manifestly given us.

Our ministers and tract officers should see that each family have these works, and that a supply be had in each district depository, that each librarian may furnish to those who may wish to read. Do not wait for those of your neighbors and friends to come to you, but go to them and introduce these writings. Hundreds of volumes of Spirit of Prophecy may thus be sold if the interest now awakened be followed up. Our brethren should purchase these works at retail price and sell them at the same. Not less then 1000 copies should thus be disposed of this present quarter.

Other publications are of priceless value to our brethren. Our Sabbath-schools should be furnished with the necessary appliances,—maps and various works just adapted to the wants of those interested in the study of the Scriptures. This is also a missionary work, and it qualifies those engaged in it to be successful workers. This also builds up the Association and establishes confidence in the work.

S. N. HASKELL.