p. 186 | FOUND AFTER MANY DAYS by H. E. Sawyer

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 12, 1879

FOUND AFTER MANY DAYS.

By H. E. Sawyer

We must imitate the life of Christ in order to be true missionary workers. His was a life of self-denial, toil, and suffering. If we would share with him the rich reward of well-doing, we must willingly devote time, means and strength to the work he has assigned us of scattering the seeds of truth wherever opportunity offers. Each individual is required to act some part in this closing work; and while we continually hear urgent and repeated appeals for help, we cannot be ignorant of duty.

Let us go back to the time of Huss, Wycliffe, Luther, Judson, and others. They chose to suffer affliction with the people of God, rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season. The missionary work now requires the same spirit of self-sacrifice and devotion that characterized these servants of God.

Are we acting our part in this missionary work? Are we doing all in our power to scatter the seeds of truth far and near? Some may say, “I have continued sending away copies of the Signs and tracts for a long time, but having received no letters in reply, I have become discouraged, and think I will try no longer.” And thus failing to exercise the required patience and perseverance, their efforts cease.

My former experience in this work has taught me a useful lesson. Nearly a year before the Vigilant Missionary Society was organized in this place, I sent for five copies of the Signs to distribute. At first I knew not how to obtain the names of interested readers, and therefore made it a subject of prayer. Before the papers came I received several letters containing more names than I had papers to send. From that time to this I have had more names than I could use.

The first papers sent out were to four individuals in Florida. I commenced sending them in February, and continued during the following summer. I received several letters in reply, only one of them being of interest, and this was from a gentleman who, together with his wife, has since decided to keep the Sabbath. In the month of August I became very much discouraged, thinking I had made a mistake in sending for those copies of the Signs, and questioning in my mind whether I should not give them to some one who was better fitted for the work. While trying to decide what course to pursue, the words, “Be not weary in well doing,” came forcibly to my mind, and I decided to continue in the good work. The following day I received a postal from one of the four to whom I had been sending papers in Florida, stating that he had decided to keep the Sabbath, and asking for tracts on that subject for his friends who opposed him. To be brief, the result of this effort was that in less than six months forty families were observing the seventh-day Sabbath.

An item of experience with the Health Reformer may be of interest. The Signs and Youth’s Instructor were sent to a young lady in England. After receiving several copies, she wrote to an uncle in Pennsylvania, requesting him to send me the money to pay for the Instructor. The amount sent being more than the price of the paper, I sent him a copy of the Signs and Reformer for his examination. The Reformer seemed to be more to his mind, therefore I had it sent to him for six months. As the result of this he has been a subscriber for the past two years. In

his last letter he states that he likes Good Health for its temperance and Christian principles, and that he is himself a health reformer. I sent him an annual, which he showed to his friends, and they were so well pleased with it that he sent for ten more. Thus an interest is created in health reform, and I expect there will yet be some among the miners there who will accept the third angel’s message.

Let none be discouraged if success does not seem to attend their efforts. God works in various ways to bring the truth to the candid and honest at heart. Our papers, tracts, and letters need to be accompanied with earnest prayers that God would send the good angels before them to prepare hearts for the truth; and if all who receive them do not appreciate them, they may fall into the hands of others who will. Only in the day of final account shall we know how much good has been accomplished by our efforts. It is well if we feel our weakness and incapability, for we shall not be so likely to labor in our own strength. God has promised to give wisdom to all who sincerely desire it. It is “not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.” Surely we have everything to encourage us. Let us therefore enter into the missionary work with more energy and zeal.

Experience teaches us that the way to accomplish anything is to be steadfast in our purpose. This requires faith, perseverance, and practice. When our whole hearts are in the work, God will hear our earnest entreaties, and will do for us what we cannot do ourselves. H. E. SAWYER.

Battle Creek.