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THE HARVEST

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Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 26, 1900

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 77, No. 26.

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THE HARVEST.

By S. H. LANE

We are told from the sacred page that the harvest is the end of the world, and that the reapers are the angels. That we have reached the time of the end no student of prophecy will for a moment question; and he who studies most critically is the most thoroughly convinced that now, as never before, the angels are working upon the minds, and moving the hearts, of the people to receive the truth for this age.
In opening the mails at the Review and Herald Office, several times each week, the writer is amazed to see how every effort to scatter and advertise the truth in the past has been more or less successful. I give a few items, which will be of interest to the readers of the REVIEW. And while I have access to the facts as they are written and read by me, I hope to occasionally give these facts to the readers of the REVIEW, that their hearts may be cheered and their hands strengthened to do more in the advancement of the glorious truths of the third, and last, message.
A gentleman in one of our prosperous Middle States writes:—
“In reading some of your books I have seen advertisements of other books. I write to inquire if you are selling them yet. If so, please let me know, sending me a list of your publications and prices.”
This list was sent. Almost as soon as the mail could bring a letter in return, an order for a book came, with the statement that he wished to order other books as soon as possible; and that his next order would be for “The Desire of Ages.” We are thankful that the Saviour has awakened in this man’s mind a longing for truth, which can be met in that admirable book, “The Desire of Ages.”
A gentleman in a Southern State writes, inquiring about our publications. He says that he wishes about one hundred books and tracts, which he has seen advertised in “Marvel of Nations.” He also wished a catalogue, and prices in full, of several of our books, which he wished to order at once. This man is a clergyman. The price list has been sent, and a letter has been written to him. The “Marvel of Nations” has not been placed on the market to any great extent for the last ten years. Yet it seems that this gentleman has been reading this book, and has become interested; and seeing a price list of our books in “Marvel of Nations,” he writes as already quoted, which clearly demonstrates that no book or tract should be issued from our publishing houses without advertising some of our books.
Here is something from another Southern State:— “Will you please send me a catalogue of your religious works? Mention especially those most fitted for one studying for the ministry.”
This gentleman is not of our faith, but is studying the word of God.
Not long ago a gentleman in one of our Eastern States, working in a manufacturing shop, left his work one evening at closing time, and was standing on the corner of the street, waiting for a newsboy to appear. While he was standing there, a strong wind laid at his feet a portion of a REVIEW. He grasped it, read it, comprehended its contents, became deeply interested, and immediately sent money to pay for it for three months, saying that he was much pleased with it, and wished to know the price of several tracts to aid him in his work. A missionary letter was written to him, and several tracts were sent. Some one had evidently cast the REVIEW aside; and one of the reapers already mentioned, seeing that there was something in the paper that would satisfy a longing in that man’s heart, caused the wind to place the paper at his feet, and by it deposited the truth of God in his heart. Thus even the wind, at the command of him who made it, for all power in heaven and earth belongs to him, became a missionary agent.
—So, brother, sister, if you can not do missionary work in any other way, would it not be a good idea to go out near some great manufacturing institution on a windy day, and set a few of your unused papers flying on the wings of the wind, and let the reapers see that they are deposited at the feet of some person who is hungry for the truth? I do not say that this is the best way to do missionary work. It would be better to carry these silent messengers, and let the Lord use your ability, through your conversational powers, to magnify the Lord and his truth; but you had better work through the wind than not to work at all. It is better to let the wind carry the papers afar, to hungry souls, than to let the papers be tossed about the house or pasted on the wall or shelves. “The earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof,” and the last message of mercy will be carried, and that, too, come what there may to stand in the way. Who will aid the heavenly reapers in their work? S. H. LANE.