An Appeal to Every Seventh-day Adventist by C. H. Jones

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 9, 1909

An Appeal to Every Seventh-day Adventist

By C. H. Jones

How would you like to have all your friends and neighbors attend a course of lectures this winter, given by some of the leading ministers in our denomination, where all the points of present truth would be taken up and presented in a systematic, logical way, just as they are in a series of tent-meetings in new places?

Well, arrangements are being made so that you and your friends can enjoy just such a course as this.

Beginning October 6, and continuing six months, a series of twenty-five special numbers of the Signs of the Times is to be published, in which the truth will be taken up in the same general way as is followed by our ministers in a series of tent-meetings. The subjects will be well illustrated, and supplemented by Bible readings, and presented in such a thorough, systematic, progressive way that they can not fail to interest and convince the honest in heart, and bring them to a saving knowledge of the truth. The series will be called—

Home Bible Studies

Our people everywhere, every one of them, from the Atlantic to the Pacific, are being asked to subscribe for two, five, ten, twenty-five, fifty, or one hundred copies of this series; and in a systematic way sell, give away, mail, or loan these papers to their friends and neighbors. Thus it is hoped that a movement will be introduced which will mean the placing of at least fifty thousand copies of the Signs of the Times weekly in the homes of the people. The methods by which this work may be carried on are so varied that every one, from the oldest to the youngest, can have an opportunity to work.

We offer the following suggestions as to how the papers can be used to advantage:—

By taking the responsibility of putting this series in all the homes in a certain town or district, and thus give a complete line of sermons on the third angel's message in many families.
By devoting one or two evenings each week to the selling, loaning, or giving away of these papers.
By subscribing for five, ten, or twenty copies or more, and mailing them to lists of names that you may select, or that will be furnished you by the secretary of the tract society.
By having the papers mailed direct from the Signs office to friends and relatives. This arrangement can be made with the publishers, and in fact is one of the most convenient and satisfactory methods of getting the truth before those in whom we are particularly interested. By following up the work with tactful Christian correspondence we may be the means, under the hand of God, of saving many souls.

One of our missionary secretaries reports that she used one hundred copies of the Signs each week, sending them to persons who she believed were interested in the truth, accompanying the first paper with a letter. She then kept the papers going regularly for a series of weeks. The result was that the least number of persons brought into the truth in one year of the five during which she carried on this work was seven; and one year there were sixteen.

We all recognize the fact that one of the most effectual and most inexpensive ways of reaching the masses with this message, is with our publications. Our canvassers are doing a splendid work, and are meeting with marked success with our subscription books; but our periodicals also have their places and are doing their part. You will remember the Testimony which came to us a few years ago, saying: “It is a fact that the circulation of our papers is doing even a greater work than the living preacher can do.” Letters are constantly coming to the publishers from persons who have embraced the truth, or have become interested in it, through reading the Signs.

The Lord has placed upon Seventh-day Adventists the responsibility of giving this last warning message to the world, and the work in the home field must now be done largely by the laity. What a blessed thing it is that we have such a wealth of literature with which to prosecute the work. Everybody will want a part in this great missionary campaign. If you can not do great things, do a little.

Subscription Price of Home Bible Study Series

Beginning Oct. 6, 1909

The series of 25 numbers to one name and address ........................................ $.75 5 or more copies of this series of 25 numbers, mailed direct from the office of publication, to names and addresses furnished, each ........................................ .60 5 or more copies of the series of 25 numbers to one name and address, each ........................................ .50 All orders not sent through the tract society must be accompanied by cash.

The regular departments of the Signs will be kept up during this period the same as usual. On the whole, this series will be one of the best, the strongest, and most interesting ever published.

The times are certainly ripe for a movement of this kind. The terrible calamities that are coming upon the earth, the corruption in our large cities among men in high places, the struggle between capital and labor,—all go to show that the coming of the Lord is near at hand. This is our opportunity to let the people know what these things mean. This special series of the Signs gives us just the material with which to do it.

Send subscriptions at once in order that you may not miss any of these special numbers.

Address your tract society or Signs of the Times, Mountain View, Cal.

C. H. JONES.