p. 18 | Progress of the Message by V. O. Cole

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 29, 1910

Progress of the Message

By V. O. Cole

There is something inspiring in the figures that show the progress of this grand message. Because of this, and believing that every loyal Seventh-day Adventist is interested in knowing how the message is spreading through the circulation of the printed page, I pass on a few figures that show its progress, not only as a whole, but step by step down to our own Southeastern Union Conference, and to some of the men who are actually doing the work in the great and needy harvest-field.

The latest returns show that during 1909 the sale of our literature throughout the world reached the total value of $1,402,444,—a money value of nearly a million and a half dollars in one year. The three union conferences in the South are taking orders to the value of from $15,000 to $25,000 a month for a fall delivery. Several weeks ago word came to us from the Southern Publishing Association that they had already sent out, since January 1, 84,605 volumes of books. In footing up the work in the Southeastern Union Conference during the past eight months, I find that we have made a gain, over the corresponding time of last year, of $7,972 in orders, and of $3,449 in deliveries.

I give a few extracts from letters received from the workers in the field. One says: “To sum up my day’s work, I gave eight exhibitions, and booked thirty orders, at a value of $57.75. I praise the Lord for this success. I think I must have over $300 worth of orders to deliver September 5-12 and 19. I am glad I am here, and in this employment. I would not care to change places with any one. My health is good—I never felt better.”

Another says: “Brother H. reports as follows: 47 hours; no helps; value of orders, $171.90. His son reports 39 hours; no helps; value of orders, $133.50. His daughter, 4 hours; $9 worth of orders. Brother C. reports 24 hours; orders and helps, $94.”

Still another: “Brother K. sends in a good report and letter. I wish you could read it. He found a wealthy woman in the country who owns six thousand broad acres, whose heart was touched to the degree that she ordered a copy each of ‘Practical Guide,’ ‘Great Controversy,’ ‘Best Stories,’ ‘Steps to Christ,’ and ‘Ministry of Healing.’”

Of course all experiences in this work are not so bright, yet such are the blessings that come to some who are laboring in this long-neglected part of the great harvest-field. We are told that the work will close sooner here than in other parts of the field. Perhaps this is one reason the Lord is so richly blessing it.

V. O. COLE.