A United Effort to Scatter Tracts Like the Leaves of Autumn
By Editor
In the REVIEW AND HERALD of December 9 is an important article by Elder Daniells, on behalf of the General Conference Committee, introducing a great tract campaign for the present winter. Four special tracts are being issued as leaders for this movement. Their titles are, “What Do These Things Mean?” “Signs of Our Times,” “The Second Advent of Our Lord,” and “The Gospel Remedy for Present-Day Isms: Spiritualism, Hypnotism, Christian Scientism, and Higher Criticism.” These tracts, as indicated by their titles, deal directly and plainly with the vital features of the message. They take up the trumpet, and tell to the world the glad message that Jesus is coming in the clouds of heaven, and the signs of the times show that his coming is near. It is the design of the General Conference Committee that this effort should be world-wide, and that every Seventh-day Adventist should take an active part in it. There was a time several years ago when our tracts were sold in large editions of hundreds of thousands, when every church was astir, and all the people seemed to carry the burden for souls. Tracts were scattered, Bible readings were held, and in many places this work was followed by gospel meetings conducted by lay members in halls and schoolhouses; and one of our ministers recently remarked that at that time nearly every church in his State had a revival, and many were added to the church. We call for a renewal of that effort. The church needs it for its own upbuilding, and an unwarned world, still in darkness, cries mightily to God and to us for the light. God speaks to Israel, saying, “Go forward.” A few cannot do the work. All Israel must march in order when the cloud lifts and directs the way. See Num. 9:15-23. We believe that every publishing house in the denomination will bring out these special tracts, and use all its strength in advertising and circulating them. Copies will be sent to the publishing houses for this purpose as soon as possible. State and Union Conference Papers
can advertise the tracts, publish reports and plans of work, and assist the REVIEW AND HERALD, The Signs of the Times, and other general papers in their effort to carry this campaign to every home and into every heart. can take up the work, and advertise the tracts from the desk, and organize the people for work. Thousands of people are ready to work, but hardly know where to begin. Place the work in their hands, and show them how to work. State Tract Society Officers
can correspond with church librarians and isolated members, and help them get started. In fact, the success of this movement will depend largely upon the earnest, enthusiastic leadership of the tract society officers. A Suggestion to Church Officers
The officers of each church should meet together, and devise plans for a definite campaign to revive the tract and missionary work. Should not the old-time tract society meetings be revived, with their songs about work, their prayers for the work, and their reports of work done?—We believe they should. Let us all pray for a revival of good old methods. Suggestions to Church Librarians
1. Begin the tract work yourself with that earnest enthusiasm which you wish to see in all the members of the church. Your experience will give power to your words as you persuade others. Remember that the work in your church is not dead while you are working. 2. Counsel with the church officers frequently, and divide your work with them. This good work multiplies as you divide it. 3. Talk the work to every brother or sister or child you meet. Pray constantly for its success. At church, at home, and on the street, keep up the agitation. Say, as did the prophet, “For Zion’s sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth.” 4. Set yourself a definite task, to place some work, even though it may be very small, in the hands of every member of the church. Much of this effort must be private, individual work; but in no other way can you accomplish so much. One tract given away each week is much better than no work. This little work will lead to more. Plant a little seed, and it will grow if it has the life. This kind of personal work can be done without great ability. Let this be our motto,— Something for Each One to Do
These tracts will be ready by January 1, when the work with “Christ’s Object Lessons” is expected to be finished. Now is the time to organize and plan for the tract campaign.