A MINE OF WEALTH by M. J. Cottrell

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 26, 1868

A MINE OF WEALTH.

By M. J. Cottrell

Perhaps you will think that I am about to direct your attention to the Book of books; but no, that is a mine to which I trust I have no need to call your attention. That is the great mine of wealth, and it pays well to visit it often. But I speak not of that at this time. I know not but that you do visit that very often. But the one of which I speak, I know is not half explored, especially by the young. It is our paper, the Review. Week by week, as I peruse its pages so replete with valuable information, my heart is saddened by the thought that it is so lightly esteemed by, shall I say the majority of young Sabbath-keepers, as to receive only a passing notice? Perhaps there is not one to be found who will acknowledge that he or she does lightly esteem it. But what say your actions, my dear young friends? How short a time you are seen with this valuable paper in your hands. How often, think you, can you tell what was the subject of last week's sermon, how it was treated and applied? Too often you can tell nothing about it. Or the Commentary. Here you will also find much valuable instruction, many seemingly difficult passages in that other mine, the precious Bible, are here explained, but you cannot tell me anything in regard to its contents. And so on page by page, as I broach one subject after another, I find that you have only glanced over the paper, and what you have read, was not read with sufficient interest to impress it upon your mind. This is no fancy sketch, neither do I write it because I think that Bro. Smith wants something to help fill up the paper, but because I am, as I said, saddened week by week, as I peruse its deeply-interesting pages, to think that it is so lightly esteemed by those who need its instruction most. My young friends, listen to my entreaty. Oh! that I could induce you to read this paper, and read it with interest, with your mind fixed on the subject. It contains very much valuable information, which you will need. And then another thing, we cannot answer for these neglected opportunities of storing our minds with sound instruction. God will hold us accountable for these slighted privileges. It is a duty which we owe to our God and ourselves to inform our minds on the important subjects which the Review is engaged in examining and explaining. Yes, my young friends, it is our duty, yours and mine. Would that I possessed the voice of a trumpet, by which I could arouse your attention, while I speak to you of these neglected opportunities for gaining invaluable instruction. Throw aside those senseless stories; they engross too much of your time and attention, and they are destroying all that taste for that sound reading which a well-balanced mind must have. Once more let me entreat you, Read the Review. “What? read it all?” Yes, read it all. You will not regret it. Make it a part of your week's duties. Put a copy in your pocket, and when you have a little leisure time, improve it in reading. Or can you not find time upon the Sabbath? With too many the Sabbath is a tiresome day. There is no need of its being so. Just establish a regular course of reading, and you will soon find that with your Bible, the Review, Spiritual Gifts, and other religious reading, of which you can find plenty, you will have no time to look for sundown; it will come before you know it. Try this plan, and I think you will find the Sabbath day too short, instead of too long.

But I shall weary you with the length of my article. One word more, youthful friends, it is time that your interests were all with God's people, if they are to be there at all, and when they are there, it seems to me you will be interested in reading the Review, and say with me, that it is a mine of wealth.

M. J. COTTRELL.