p. 107 | Progress of the Work by William Ings

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Feb 12, 1885

Progress of the Work.

By William Ings

THE Lord has wonderfully opened up ways for the spread of his truth, both by land and sea, and his blessing attends the efforts put forth. There have been over two hundred distributors manufactured, and nearly all are in use. Thirty-one of them are doing their work on steamers running from Portland, Oregon; and over forty on those leaving San Francisco. Just before a vessel leaves port, its distributors are filled, and on every voyage eager readers supply themselves from the contents. Generally the cases are emptied during the trip, and often before the vessel gets fairly out to sea. The ship's officers often obtain their papers from the missionary himself, saying that if they wait to take them from the distributor they will not be able to get any. The SIGNS is a general favorite, and is usually the first to be taken. Files of the SIGNS are placed on the tables in these steamers, where passengers can have access to them during the voyage. All sailing vessels also arriving at San Francisco are furnished with a good supply of our tracts and periodicals, and considerable reading matter is sold to the sailors.

No pains is spared to bring the light before those who travel on the sea. Real missionary labor is performed. In the port of San Francisco, Brother Robbins devotes all his time to this work, and he finds plenty to do. Considerable interest is awakened; the result will be known in the kingdom of God. Many vessels are visited that have received reading matter either at home or at some foreign port. Thus the influence of our work is making itself felt, and we are becoming widely known. May this branch of the cause extend until every ship that traverses the sea shall have heard the proclamation of the last warning message.

Our work upon land is increasing in interest. The distributors have awakened new zeal in the hearts of our people. These silent missionaries are dispersing the precious truth to thousands of interested readers. The Lord has gone before us, and given us the hearts of those who control the prominent centers for the traveling public. No favor has been asked that has not been cheerfully granted. In the two great cities of California, Oakland and San Francisco, distributors are placed in depots, employment offices, restaurants, hotels, and other public places. Many of them are supplied daily. The reading matter is taken by men and women of candor, and they are often seen perusing the pages with interest. At one depot there are six distributors, and they are emptied every day. From this point people are journeying in every direction. Much matter is taken by persons going overland, who thus have ample time to read and ponder the subjects presented. Files of the SIGNS are placed in the most prominent hotels in the city, and they are well read. Persons whose attention was first called to the truth by this means are now active workers in spreading the Third Angel's Message. All the public libraries of the city are supplied with our leading books and periodicals. Missionaries are going from house to house, obtaining subscribers for our different periodicals, selling books, loaning tracts, etc., and yet there is work for many more.

A mission has been opened at Los Angeles; it is in charge of a resident missionary, who is watching the openings, and placing our periodicals in the hands of the people. We expect to see much accomplished for that beautiful city among the orange groves. This place, like others, has its railroad center, from which the truth can be scattered far and near.

Stockton, with its eighteen thousand inhabitants, has been entered, distributors have been placed in depots, hotels, and factories, and sixteen volumes of the SIGNS have been placed in half as many hotels. One who loves the truth will attend to the interest there, and canvassers will immediately enter upon the work of obtaining subscribers for the SIGNS with “Sunshine at Home.” The prospect is encouraging for a good work there.

Distributors have been placed at Deming, New Mexico; and at Arcata, Eureka, Lemoore, Fresno, Modesto, San Jose, St. Helena, Healdsburg, Santa Rosa, Petaluma, Woodland, and other places in California, and there are favorable reports from them all. In the small places they are supplied by the Tract and Missionary Societies, while those in larger towns are sustained from funds contributed for the city missions. The work could be extended with good results, but at present this is prevented by lack of means. Brethren and sisters, do not forget this branch of the work. Let your prayers and your means be offered for its prosperity.

By the mailing of SIGNS, by correspondence, etc., a good work is being done in New Zealand. Reading matter sent to Australia is awakening an interest in that distant land, preparatory to the arrival of our missionaries. Good news is heard from the Sandwich Islands. Souls are embracing the truths we love. Many subscribers for the SIGNS have been obtained. The distributors are dealing out their contents by land and sea, and the reading room at Honolulu is patronized.

We look for an increase of work for the coming year. Our people are catching the missionary spirit, and, I trust, are seeing the necessity of a forward movement. Individuals are volunteering to give themselves wholly to the work. All this should inspire hope and courage in our hearts. What we need is an entire consecration of ourselves and our means to God; then we can expect his aid; then power will attend our labors. The Lord through the prophet Malachi commands us, “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven and pour you out a blessing that there shall not be room enough to receive it.” If we fulfill this injunction by the gift of our means to sustain his work, we may expect so much of the spirit of the Third Angel's Message that we shall be constantly studying plans and devising means by which to reach the people with a truth that, if received, will prepare them for the coming of our Saviour. May the Lord strengthen us to do faithfully the part he has given each of us to do, and then at his coming we shall hear the blessed words, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.”

WM. INGS.

Healdsburg, Jan. 29.