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Editorial

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Dec 15, 1910

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 87, No. 50.

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Editorial

By Editor

The first published call to a missionary campaign with our literature ought surely to interest our readers.
Now, when a notice goes out “to the brethren and sisters,” it must go to many thousands, and ere it reaches all, must be given in many tongues. And we have many papers now by which to give the trumpet the certain sound.
It was not so in the early years. Within the time of active service of some still working among us, this whole cause has grown into strength, and spread abroad through the world. And with all our numbers and all the multiplied agencies, we need to remember that our individual responsibility to study God’s Word, and to work and pray for the salvation of others, is just as great as that which pressed upon each believer in those early days.
Our publishers often send out notices to the believers regarding periodicals and plans. Just here read our first publisher’s announcement, in the first paper, the Present Truth, of July, 1849. We can fancy with what eagerness the brethren responded. There are more of us now; but the field of operation has become much greater, and the times much more critical, since this first publisher’s announcement issued the call:—
Dear Brethren and Sisters: I hope this little sheet will afford you comfort and strength. Love and duty have compelled me to send it to you. I know you must be rooted and built up in the present truth, or you will not be able to stand “in the battle in the day of the Lord.” Eze. 13:5.
The time has come when we must be whole-hearted in the truth. Everything is to be shaken that can be; therefore those whose feet are not planted on the rock will be shaken all to pieces. Those only will be able to stand in the day of slaughter, who shall be found keeping the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. It is no small thing to be a Christian. We must be pure in life and conversation here in time, if we would enter the Holy City.
The keeping of the fourth commandment is all-important present truth; but this alone will not save any one. We must keep all ten of the commandments, and strictly follow all the directions of the New Testament, and have living, active faith in Jesus. Those who would be found ready to enter the saints’ rest, at the appearing of Christ, must live wholly, wholly, for Jesus now.
This little sheet is free for all. Those who are interested in Present Truth, and esteem it a privilege, are invited to help pay the expense. I would publish in pamphlet form, but it would be a number of weeks before I could get out a pamphlet containing all I wish to write. I shall send out one thousand copies of this sheet; then arrange the matter of this and the following numbers, and have one thousand more of each number printed, to stitch together in pamphlet form, to distribute as they are called for.
Will some brother or sister in each place where this sheet is received, send me in plain writing the names and post-office address of all who are seeking present truth? Write soon. My post-office address is Middletown, Conn. In hope, James White.
The responses came in, and from one and another believer money came; and the little paper was scattered about in New England, New York, and on to Michigan. Then, after a year and four months, the REVIEW was established. And the call to sow the seeds of truth by the printed page still finds response in believing hearts.