Work for This Winter by George Ide Butler

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 24, 1874

Work for This Winter.

By George Ide Butler

We have many evidences of progress to encourage us in connection with the work in which we are engaged. Those who carefully mark these as they open from time to time in the REVIEW cannot reasonably draw any other conclusion than that this work is onward. While nothing would be gained by trying to make an impression of great progress if it did not really exist, it is both reasonable and important to consider facts which demonstrate the growth of this cause. If this be God’s work, it must go to the nations of the world, because the message of which this is thought to be a fulfillment is to go to “peoples, nations, tongues, and kings.”

Evidences which go to show that the work is taking this extent, of course corroborates the application of the prophecy to this movement. If there were no evidences that it was increasing, it would be plain that it could not be the work foretold in the prophecy. Hence, we are justified in noting carefully every step which shows progress. Even the casual observer can see plenty of these. The growth of the work itself, east, west, north, and south, its extension to the Pacific coast and to Europe, is a great fact of itself. The establishment of the printing work, and the bringing of it up to its present prosperity when it issues seven periodicals, publishing works in several different languages, sending forth tons of printed matter in the form of books, pamphlets, tracts, and periodicals, weekly, which are circulating very largely among new readers, is no mean evidence of progress.

The work of health reform inaugurated among Seventh-day Adventists which has cleansed their ranks from alcohol and tobacco, and from many other pernicious habits of living, and resulted in the erection of a Health Institute where hundreds of patients are annually treated successfully with nature’s own remedies, and in the wide dissemination of health publications, is certainly a step of great magnitude, and no small evidence of prosperity.

The school enterprise now almost a consummation, in which our people have pledged upwards of fifty thousand dollars and erected a building capable of accommodating upwards of four hundred pupils, many of whom we trust will be qualified to enter the great harvest field as missionaries in this and foreign lands, and thus work for the furtherance of the cause, is a recent and very striking evidence of progress. The perfection of our system of organization which, as shown by years of practical experience, is adapted to a world-wide work; the bringing out of a scriptural plan for the support of ministers designed to be missionaries all over the world, which is capable of expanding as the work expands and which works admirably after years of experience, and is found to be oppressive on none, the establishment of our book funds, by means of which our publications can be furnished at very low prices for general circulation; and, finally, the growth of our Tract and Missionary Societies themselves, the very agencies by which these are to be circulated through the earth;—all these give evidence of progress, stability, and sound forethought worthy of the cause of God, and of a work of world-wide importance.

The growth of which we have been speaking is not spasmodic and comet-like such as is sometimes seen, but it is a building up upon a well-laid foundation of permanence and solidity. As each year passes, a gratifying increase is seen. New institutions are formed, and older ones gain in strength. This has been remarkably true within the last few years. Our circle of influence is rapidly widening. We can get access in many quarters now where it was utterly impossible to do it a few years since. The people want to hear the truth all around us. Openings for labor exist in almost every quarter. The great thing for us to do is to fill these openings as well as we can.

We rejoice that the tract and missionary organization has been formed which is so well calculated to work the truth into so many of these openings. Every tract, pamphlet, or periodical, read by a person who never knew our views before, is one more blow struck in the great work which is to warn the world of its impending doom. These blows should be showered thick and fast till old earth resounds with their echo. Our tract and missionary workers are the army which must make a mighty march upon the enemies of God’s truth, with these weapons in their hands, designed to break down the barriers of error and let in the light and glory of divine truth.

We want to see our efforts every coming year cumulative, increasing in something like geometrical progression. Why should not this be so? Every person has his circle of influence where he can affect certain others. There he can work most effectually. There are few who can say, as was said of one in our Saviour’s time, We have done what we could. But every one of us ought to be able to say it.

What a mighty power would be manifest were all thus engaged. Then as hundreds and thousands of others come in to swell the ranks of this army, and each one goes forth in his sphere and circle of influence to labor for the common cause, what wonderful progress would be seen. It would be like capturing a battery from the enemy on the field of battle and turning it upon their ranks; the very means employed by them to destroy others, now turned about and destroying them. So with us, every recruit from the enemy’s ranks truly converted to God, becomes a helper to send the truth to others. The great enemy’s ranks have not only lost one but that one becomes an instrument of righteousness to still further work against his kingdom. Our march onward would thus be rapid.

The work of circulating our periodicals last year was truly encouraging as an evidence of what organized effort might do. Some 15,000 copies of the REVIEW were circulated, and have made a favorable impression upon many minds. But we should not be satisfied with what has been done or only doing just so much each succeeding year. Our workers are all the time gaining an experience, and learning how to work more effectually. This principle is seen with persons just commencing to preach. A new licentiate can do but little compared with what he can after becoming acquainted with his work. His efforts are largely thrown away. He knows not how to approach men. This principle applies to every calling. So our tract and missionary workers can work more and more efficiently as they become experienced. If they could get 15,000 subscribers last fall, they ought to secure 30,000 this, 50,000 next, and so on. Should all work as they might, this result could easily be reached, and so of other branches of reading matter. We ought to work with such determination, every one of us to do our utmost.

The starting of the pioneer paper which now seems certain, calculated especially for those investigating our views, is another point of progress in this work. It will be just the thing for those trying to find out our views. While our old Sabbath-keepers who have become thoroughly acquainted with our views will have the REVIEW adapted to their wants, those who investigate the truth will have their wants met. Here is a glorious opportunity for us to work the present season. The long winter nights are before us, when many will have an opportunity and leisure to read. Why should not our people make a special effort? As was seen in last week’s REVIEW, Michigan has taken a noble stand, as becomes her position in the center of the work. We hope the other Tract Societies all over the land will imitate this noble example to the utmost of their ability.

“Still onward” is the rallying cry to which all should respond. Let us rouse up, brethren

and sisters. Let us go to work for God. Hunt up those who will read. Approach your neighbors and acquaintances with the spirit of heavenly love. Show them in humility that you have something worthy their attention. Let us do our very best this winter to advance the work of God, and who can predict the result? It will be found in eternity. “Cast thy bread upon the waters.” We shall see the result after many days, if not before. What can we better do than to work in the cause of God—the cause of truth and purity?

GEO. I. BUTLER.

Kalamazoo, Mich., Nov. 20, 1874.