p. 188 | DISTRIBUTION OF TRACTS by Adolphus Smith

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 29, 1868

DISTRIBUTION OF TRACTS.

By Adolphus Smith

I was traveling in the cars. I had a package each of “God’s Memorial,” and “Law and the Gospel.” “It is tedious, traveling in the night,” said I, to two young men who sat behind me. To this they responded in a very gentlemanly manner; when I asked if they were fond of religious literature. Receiving an answer in the affirmative, I gave them each a tract, and received a promise that they would read them carefully, at their leisure, and then give them to some other persons who had not read them.

I made it a point to converse with as many as I could before giving a tract, obtaining a promise, generally cheerfully, but sometimes reluctantly given, that they would carefully read them, and hand them to a friend. To the latter I would remark, that I did not wish to give a tract to one who would not read it, as I thought it would do no good, but that I believed every man a gentleman, and that if he promised to read it I felt sure he would do it; the promise was most always cheerfully made.

Some read constantly by the dim light of the lamps, rendered still more difficult by the incessant motion of the train, until the loud voice of the brakeman announced the several stations where they left the cars, to be seen or heard of by me no more, probably, till the resurrection of the great day; but the good seed, perhaps, was taking root. May God give an abundant increase.

A young lady read attentively in the cars, and when she left I saw her walk away with the tract open in her hand.

One whom I knew by his physiognomy to be a Jew, took his seat beside me. I knew he would be a hard case to manage. After vainly trying to draw him into conversation, to all my advances receiving only monosyllables in reply, I asked, Do you not belong to the Israelitish people? He replied in the affirmative. You then keep the Sabbath, said I. We pretend to, said he. I keep the Sabbath, too, said I, because God so commanded in the law he gave to Moses. He seemed a little interested. After some reflection I said, I have some tracts here, treating upon this Sabbath question; if you would be so kind as to take one of them, and cause it to be sent, or deliver yourself, for me, to the Methodist minister in the village where you live, you will do me a favor. You may read it yourself before delivering, if you choose. To this he assented cheerfully; and when he left the cars politely bowed, and bade me good night.

“Yes,” said one to whom I gave “Destiny of Man,” “I will read that, for I want to know what is to become of me.”

One large family to whom I gave a tract last winter, are now taking the REVIEW, and Instructor, and they will, I believe, ere long keep the Sabbath.

Some would not read the tract at all, and others would read and return them, refusing positively to read any more.

But whether men will read or forbear when these silent messengers are within their reach, they are doing their work faithfully and surely, and the mighty result will be known only in the great day of the Lord.

“In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thy hand, for thou knowest not whether shall prosper either this or that, or whether they both alike shall be good.” ADOLPHUS SMITH.