An Interesting Letter by T. E. Bowen

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 13, 1902

An Interesting Letter

By T. E. Bowen

ROME, N. Y., April 11, 1902.

Prof. P. T. Magan,

Berrien Springs, Mich.

DEAR BROTHER: For some time I have been thinking of writing you a few lines regarding the work with “Christ's Object Lessons” in New York. Just before the special effort in the Lake Union Conference, and before Elder Daniells's article appeared in the REVIEW, Brother Thompson and I had been specially impressed with the necessity of engaging in this work anew. We had materialized plans, which we were about to execute. I mention this simply because it seemed to us an evidence that God was impressing hearts alike in this work. With vigor the matter was undertaken. The conference committee was called together and plans laid. All began work together and in earnest. Our district superintendents began in their territory. The ministers were asked to spend the whole month of March in working for the book from house to house, and in helping the district men among the churches as they were needed. Brother Thompson and I also assisted what we could. The brethren caught the spirit and went to work. As one since expressed it, they saw that we meant business, that we had taken off our coats, rolled up our sleeves, and gone to work.

Up to Feb. 1, 1902, we had shipped from this office into our conference territory 1,579 books. During February but few books were sent out, so the principal part was accomplished in March. During March we shipped out in actual orders 1,359 books, or only 220 less than during the entire sixteen months previous. Had we done as much each month during this time, we would have sold during the sixteen months 21,744 books, or over twice the amount of our quota.

We have encouraged our churches to order in small quantities, and work them off as quickly as possible, rather than load up too heavily.

Of course this may not sound very booming to you, as you may have had the pleasure of reading larger figures from States in the West, but there is certainly a vast difference between this Eastern territory and the Western. People are harder to move, even among our own denomination, as well as among the book-buying public.

We feel grateful to God indeed for his blessing which is attending the work, and all the glory of the success attained is his. With the good hand of our God upon us, we expect to do our part in this work. We meet obstacles, trials, etc., but these are good for our spiritual muscle. Let us have your prayers.

Faithfully your fellow servant,

T. E. BOWEN, Conf. Sec.