p. 22 | A Missionary Enterprise

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · May 25, 1916

A Missionary Enterprise

One of our missionaries of long, successful service, offers our people his plan in effective missionary work with the Present Truth Series. The plan is as follows:—

“The individual members of our churches subscribe for a definite number of the Present Truth Series for their use in systematically mailing to relatives and friends.

“Beginning at a certain date, the churches in the conferences will launch this special missionary work as a conference effort, and the conference tract society will have the papers on hand, ready to mail at the beginning of the time appointed.

“The individual orders for the papers are to be for entire sets, beginning with No. 1 of the series, and to be mailed each week by the tract society for six months, which time is required to use the full series of twenty-four numbers.”

Prices

The price of the series used in this way is only one cent a copy, or 24 cents for a full set, sent to one address each week, 24 cents covering the entire expense of giving a relative or a friend a full and complete presentation of the message, the cheapest and the best way possible to do it. In this plan a list of ten names would cost only $2.40, which amount would cover cost of papers, wrapping, and postage. The same amount of printed matter in tract form mailed to separate addresses would cost $7.20, allowing 2 cents for each tract and 1 cent for postage.

In Response to Appeals

The Present Truth Series has been brought into existence in response to appeals sent to us in connection with the consideration of plans by which the church may become a strong factor in giving the message. For more than twenty years we have been told that “the very simplest modes of work should be devised and set in operation among the churches. If members will cooperate with such a plan, and perseveringly carry it out, they will reap a rich reward; for their experience will grow brighter, their ability will increase through exercise, and souls will be saved through their efforts.” “God expects his church to discipline and fit its members for the work of enlightening the world. But let no one feel that because he is not educated he cannot be expected to take part in the work. God has a work for you to do. He has given to every man his work. Well-organized work must be done in the church, that its members may understand the manner in which they may impart light to others, and thus strengthen their own faith and increase their knowledge. As they impart the light which God graciously bestows upon them, to those in darkness, they will be confirmed in the faith. A working church is a living church. The Lord God of heaven would have the entire church devising ways and means whereby high and low, rich and poor, may hear the message of truth.”

These appeals cannot be longer disregarded, and the light intrusted to this denomination be retained. In these days when the nations of earth are convulsed with war, and men's hearts are failing them for fear, and the masses are casting about for the meaning of what they see coming on the world, the golden opportunity is presented for our message to be given with “a loud cry” that will encircle the earth. We are in the day of God's providence and of our opportunity; hence the need of specially organized, continuous, strong efforts in proclaiming the fundamental truths of the gospel message for this day and age.

Results

The publishers of the Present Truth Series often receive letters from those to whom copies of the series have been sent by friends or relatives. The following letter, bearing date of April 22, comes from Panama. It is characteristic of many others received:—

“GENTLEMEN: A friend sent me a copy of your Extra No. 14, and its facts are so convincing that I should like to assist in distributing the Extra. Enclosed please find international coupons for 10 cents, to cover cost of 15 copies.”

“DEAR SIR: I saw a copy of your paper, REVIEW AND HERALD, Extra No. 16, dealing with the “Threefold Message of Revelation.” I am much interested in the way you present this matter. Can I get a quantity of this number?”