“In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thy hand; for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good.” Eccl. 11: 6.
There is no cause that men can engage in with so much certainty of success as they can engage in the cause of God. There is no enterprise that brings such certain returns as that enterprise which brings its recompense at the resurrection of the just. The truth may be unpopular, its friends may be few, its resources may be limited; yet its success and final triumph are ordained of God in Heaven. “It is not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.” Zech. 4: 6. Those, therefore, that engage in disseminating the truth, and make sacrifices for its advancement, are insuring to themselves a reward in Heaven; for the work itself is of God, and he rewards every man as his work shall be.
The result of scattering those publications which teach the truth is seen wherever it has been judiciously done. In territories which the living preacher has never entered the truth has found its way by the silent messengers, tracts and pamphlets, and, as the result, individuals and small companies are observing the Sabbath of the Lord. In Dakota we have learned of three small companies, the least numbering six, now observing the Bible Sabbath, which have never heard a sermon nor seen the face of a person of like faith except of their own number.
One man of Western Kansas, who found in his post-office box three Reviews, read them with interest and finally as the result of reading them, embraced the truth. He has never heard a sermon upon present truth. But by letting his light shine, others have also embraced the Sabbath in the vicinity where he lives. And, although he is a poor man, he offers $100 towards purchasing a tent, if some one will come and labor with it. He also proposes to give a portion of his time as tent-master.
About a year since, a young man in the State of New York called upon some of our brethren, and was received so kindly that he became favorably impressed with the truth. And when he left he was furnished with reading matter. Letters recently received from him show that since his return to his friends in England he has embraced the Sabbath of the Lord and other kindred truths. He is a minister of the gospel.
Within the last six months quite an intelligent colored man from Florida, who was a preacher there among his own people, came North with a view of remaining. He was prevailed upon to investigate the claims of the seventh-day Sabbath, and the doctrine of the second coming of Christ. He saw the harmony of the Scriptures upon these points, and embraced these truths, and then felt that he must immediately return to his people with them.
The present truth, has within the past nine months, through an interesting series of providential circumstances, found its way to Washington, D. C., and has been received into honest hearts at that place. An interest has been awakened to read our publications among others.
A few weeks since, there appeared in the Review a communication from brother Ademar Vuilleumier showing the fact that a minister in Italy had embraced the Sabbath and was laboring ardently to teach it to others in connection with the doctrine of the near coming of Christ, and already there has been15a few gathered around him holding the same views.
Last autumn while a brother was conversing upon the subject of present truth with a friend of his in Western New York, a stranger stepped up and listened. After learning the nature of the conversation, he remarked: “I have seen some of your sort of folks in Russia.” He was asked if they kept the seventh day, and believed in the near coming of Christ. He answered in the affirmative.
I have been informed by brethren and sisters who have friends living in many of the Southern States, and at least seven different nations in Europe, that there are those who have embraced the Sabbath in each of these places during the last year.
To those who have no faith in these truths, these facts may be uninteresting; but those who believe that the message of Rev. 14: 9—12, applies to this time, and that it is to be world-wide in its warning, can clearly understand that, although the truth is unpopular, it is making rapid strides in gathering souls from many nations, kindreds, tongues and people.
It has also found its way to the royal family of Sweden. Publications upon present truth are called for by individuals in almost every nation under heaven where civilization exists. In this country, nearly if not all nations are represented. Here is the burden of this work. And through these men and women of other tongues, other nations are being reached. The people of God are placed here as minute men, and should so educate themselves that they can always understand the opening providence of God, and work successfully for the spread of the truth. Now is the time to become rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; laying up in store a good foundation against the time to come, that we may lay hold on eternal life. 1 Tim. 6: 18, 19.
“Cast thy bread upon the waters,” says Solomon, “for thou shalt find it after many days.” Eccl. 10: 1. And the prophet Isaiah says, “Blessed are ye that sow beside all waters.” Chap. 32: 20. “In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thy hand.” Prosperity will attend the work of God; and our labors will be blessed if we sustain the right relation to God and his cause. Our interests should be undivided in the cause of Christ. It has been purchased by his own blood. Christ is not dependent upon man, but he permits man to be a co-worker with him in the salvation of those for whom he died.
The cause of God should be taken directly into the heart, and made the first great business of life, and worldly interests should be made subservient to it. “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added.” Matt. 6: 33.
We have to do with the world while we are in it, but it should be used as a means and not an end. Man is only a steward of the talents God has committed to him; and these talents God will require with usury. The usury is the influence of our life as it tells upon the salvation of others.
Who would not venture all in so glorious a cause. No individual who loves our Lord Jesus Christ, and professes union with him, should fail to make a special effort to help forward the work of God. All should take an active interest in imparting light to others. The rays of light, tracts and pamphlets, should be sent to all our friends, far and near. And when this is done, earnest prayer should be offered for the Spirit of God to accompany them to the heart. A lively active interest should be taken in every branch of the work of God. All our influence should tell upon the right side and thus we be found gathering with Christ. “He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.” Matt. 12: 30.
One brother in Indiana felt that he must take our publications and visit families and pray with them where it was proper. In his first four days’ experience he found many interested to read, and one that embraced the Sabbath.
Brother and sister Sawyer’s experience, near Potterville, Mich., shows what can be done with the blessing of God. “About one year since, they commenced to visit and pray with families in a neighborhood where they had but a few religious privileges. They commenced a Sabbath school for the children. As the result, over twenty, including parents and children, have conscientiously turned their feet to keep the statutes of the Lord, and more than forty meet on the Sabbath.”
A circumstance of interest occurred in Chelsea, Mass., not long since. A stranger chanced to meet with the brethren in one of their social meetings. While in conversation with him upon the subject of the Sabbath, he remarked, “I believe every word of it. I have a sermon in my pocket which treats upon that subject.” Upon examination, it was found to be one of our Sabbath tracts, which had providentially fallen into his hands.
There is force to the Saviour’s words at the present time: “Lift up your eyes and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.” But where are the unselfish, sacrificing laborers that will go forth and labor in any sphere which the providence of God may assign them? Where are those that love the cause more than their own interests, and manifest it in their lives by a willingness to sacrifice for its advancement?
It does not require faith to believe this cause is onward, and that there are souls everywhere ready to embrace the truth. Facts show this. And to the above facts might be added the increasing demand for reading matter.
One year ago last February, the most that had ever been sent out from the Office of publication in one week was 160 bushels. Last February it had increased to 210 bushels in one week (compare Review of Feb. 4, 1873, with Review of Feb. 10, 1874), being 50 bushels more than was sent out in one week a year ago. Those who remember when the entire edition of our works of one week was carried to the post-office in a carpet bag, which was only twenty-five years since, cannot fail to recognize the hand of God in this; and more especially so when we realize that not one unpopular feature of truth has been laid aside. Those who have had long experience in this cause, and possess talents of usefulness, and have withheld their influence in the advancement of this truth, and now take no especial interest in its advancement, will soon find that others have their places in the cause, and will eventually wear the crown they failed to secure. With earnestness all should feel it their privilege now to lift in this important work. The time will soon come when no man can work.