Book and Tract Fund by James White

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

Book and Tract Fund.

By James White

DURING the past three months I have given books to many. The whole amount of what I have given is charged to the Book Fund. After reading the books, many of those who have received them free may choose to pay something, more or less, into the fund. Such are requested to do all they can.

In this time I have trusted books to the amount of $150. Those who have not forwarded the pay to me will please send it direct to the Office. Do this, friends, at your first convenience.

I wish to say to all our people that according to the action of General Conference, our tracts are to be furnished at cost to those who distribute them gratuitously. Also those books and tracts which are given to the poor, by our ministers, will be charged to the book fund at cost. There will be no profits on those books and tracts furnished to the poor from this fund, and our ministers will freely act in this matter without profit or pay.

This is as it should be. When I had penned the above a letter was handed me. I laid down my pen and read as follows:

DEAR BRO. AND SR. WHITE: We saw it noticed in Review No. 20, that Spiritual Gifts, Appeal to Mothers, Appeal to Youth, Sabbath Readings, How to Live, and Charts, would be sent free to those unable to pay. We have been very anxious to get them for some time, but being unable to pay, have not sent for them.

Father has been unable to work for years. Mother's health is very poor. I have a crippled brother who has been unable to sit up for nearly five years. My health is also very poor. I have been unable to do any kind of work for over a year; and I have two little brothers, six and four years old, and we are all dependent on one brother. We are trying to keep all the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. We are trying to prepare for the soon-coming of Christ.

When I had read about one-half of the letter I could proceed no farther, for tears. The books will be sent, and charged to the fund at cost. Almost daily, letters of this kind are coming in. Let them come in. Let the Lord's poor speak freely, especially when there are not others to speak for them.

And to all friends of the cause and the Lord's poor I wish to appeal in behalf of the book and tract fund. This is a noble enterprise; a good and glorious work, and the way is prepared for you to act in the matter with fullest confidence that your means will be well applied. This field for doing good is a wide one, one that promises much good, and one in which all can do something. Let no one feel excused in this matter. I would urge all to come up to this work and do something. Those who have pledged should pay immediately. Let the sums come in from all quarters, and let the books go out in every direction.

JAMES WHITE.