HOW TO WORK by Ellen G. White

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Nov 17, 1881

HOW TO WORK.

By Ellen G. White

BY MRS. E. G. WHITE.

THERE should be more earnest effort made to enlighten the people upon the great subject of health reform. Tracts of four, eight, twelve, sixteen, and more pages, containing pointed, well-written articles on this great question should be scattered like the leaves of autumn. Small tracts on the different points of Bible truths applicable to the present time should be printed in different languages, and scattered where there is any probability that they would be read. God has placed at the command of his people advantages in the press, which, combined with other agencies, will be successful in extending the knowledge of the truth. Tracts, papers, and books, as the case demands, should be circulated in all the cities and villages in the land. Here is missionary work for all to engage in.

There should be men trained for this branch of the work, who will be missionaries, and will circulate publications. They should be men of good address, who will not repulse others or be repulsed. This is a work which would warrant men to give their whole time and energies as the occasion demands.

Those who distribute tracts gratuitously should take other publications to sell to all who will purchase them. Persevering efforts will result in great good. Very many souls have been converted to the truth by reading papers and tracts alone, who would not have been reached without them. God has committed to his people great light. This is not for them to selfishly enjoy alone, but to let its rays shine forth to others who are in the darkness of error.

You are not as a people doing one-twentieth part of what might be done in spreading the knowledge of the truth. Very much more can be accomplished by the living preacher with the circulation of papers and tracts, than by the preacher of the word alone without the publications. The press is a powerful instrumentality which God has ordained to be combined with the energies of the living preacher, to bring the truth before all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people.

Many minds can be reached in no other way. Here is true missionary work in which labor and means can be invested with the best results. There has been too great fear of running risks, and moving out by faith, and sowing beside all waters. Opportunities have been presented which have not been grasped and made the most of. There has been too great fear of venturing. True faith is not presumption, but it ventures much.