Extracts from Correspondence
“Sabbath I spoke on Christian education, connecting it with the present movement in the sale of ‘Christ’s Object Lessons.’ We had an enthusiastic meeting, and there seemed to be a general rally by the church. We have no easy task on our hands, but we expect to stay by it till it is done. I hope we shall be able to get it off our hands by the first of June. One or two ministers have promised to write me a recommendation for the book. The wife of the Attorney-General of Utah gave me her order for the book yesterday. I took five orders for the book yesterday besides doing my other work.” “I am glad to say to you to-day that Montana has taken about as good a stand as can be taken. The workers are alive to the movement. They have divided their territory, and each man has become responsible for the sale of books as well as for their pay. The work is going forward, and the laborers will stick to their work until it is done. They ordered their entire amount of books to-day.” “In Spokane, where there are about fifty thousand inhabitants, they do not want to wait until the camp-meeting. When coming through there the other day, I suggested that they might enter upon it, and if possible, sell their number, and come to the camp-meeting with words of encouragement to help others. We have already placed a man in Boise City, Idaho, and instructed him to get ready for the work as early as possible; and inasmuch as both these cities have books on hand, they might begin at once. “I am perfectly satisfied that as soon as our people see that we are in earnest to clear the debt from our schools and from the entire denomination, and will plan hereafter to keep free, they will stand by us till the last. But all through this field, it is as you say, ‘What assurance have we that you will not go into debt again?’ So far as I am concerned, I have pledged myself and given my word that as far as my influence goes, it never shall be done.” “Now in reference to ‘Christ’s Object Lessons,’ I found that the Spirit of the Lord had gone before us, and as the brethren and sisters met here, their hearts seemed to be prepared to take hold of the work. Among our workers perfect harmony prevails, and not a discouraging note has been heard yet. The Conference passed a resolution recommending immediate action, and advising that the conference workers take hold of the work, and that no other plans be laid until this work is carried to complete success. A resolution was also passed recommending our brethren throughout the State to take hold with the conference workers, and labor with them till the work is accomplished. We have carefully divided the State into districts, placing a conference worker at the head of each division. To-day we have ordered our quota of books, about two thousand one hundred. Our brethren are full of courage for the work.” “I believe that this mighty cloud of debt is now going to be lifted. We are not having the books sent to our State office, but directly to the leaders of divisions. They go out from this meeting to engage in the work. We wish to finish this work in time to engage in the tent effort later in the season.”