SHALL WE ALL WORK? by S. H. Lane

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 28, 1902

SHALL WE ALL WORK?

By S. H. Lane

The Total Cash received on the Relief of the Schools Fund up to date is $35,516.37.

SHALL WE ALL WORK?

Every one of our people, I think everywhere, feels an earnest desire that our institutions shall be free from debt. Our school institutions are more deeply in debt than any of our other agents through which the gospel is proclaimed. It is seldom that schools are self-supporting unless supported by a general tax, as State schools are. Our educational institutions have never been endowed, and to put up buildings and maintain schools is expensive, and in building and equipping them in the past, debts have been incurred. These debts are not being increased at the present time, and our schools are almost without exception self-supporting.

The sale of “Christ’s Object Lessons” is to aid in the liquidation of our school debts. Some are being sold, but not as many as we desire to see. Shall we let this present winter and the soon-coming spring pass by without making an earnest, determined effort to sweep these debts out of existence?—I trust not. Now is the time for every one to work. The holidays are in the past, people have settled down to business, the evenings are still long, and these books should be placed in thousands of homes, that they may be read before the rush of the spring comes, and thus the seed which may be sown in hearts may be germinating and bearing fruit before this year passes into eternity. Those of our people who are selling this book to their neighbors and friends are being blessed. A brother writing from the West says:—

“We are working with ‘Christ’s Object Lessons’ in this State. It goes a little slow, but we sell some. I sold three and took six orders in three and one-half days, and sold one dollar’s worth of helps. I must not forget to tell you that I find that ‘Christ’s Object Lessons’ is doing a great work. I sold one book to a family about one year ago. I called on them the other day, and they told me that they believe the author to be correct. They desire to sell out, and move where there are Seventh-day Adventists. A lady bought a book about a year ago, and when calling upon her the other day, she bought ‘Thoughts on Daniel and the Revelation.’ She said, ‘I want these good books that contain such

good, sound reading. We are reading “Christ’s Object Lessons” in our Ladies’ Aid Society, and are halfway through the book. It is the best book I ever read.’”

This brother is doing well, and is doing what all should do—in going over the ground the second time to find those who have become interested. Such work is true missionary work. Will not the readers of this article begin immediately to sell books, and thus open the way for visiting these people again in the future? The States of Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin are determined immediately to make a greater effort than ever before. The State committees are awakening to this matter, and in a few weeks several thousand copies of “Christ’s Object Lessons” will be placed in the homes of many families throughout the States mentioned. Will not our brethren and sisters in every State unite with us in this work? We hope such will be the case. Let our ministers and Bible workers everywhere lead out in this matter, go out with the people and sell these valuable books, and thus not only bring in money for the liquidation of our denominational school debts, but get the truths of the Bible into the hands of the people. Who will respond by going to work?

The States mentioned have decided to place their ministers in the different churches on Sabbath, February 9, after the same plan followed during the week of prayer, holding meetings Sabbath and First-day, and then Monday morning let the minister and the people go to work in the vicinity, and sell as many books as possible during that week, and keep at it until the immediate and adjacent territory is thoroughly canvassed. The librarian or one appointed for this work will order the books which are needed, from the State Tract Society, so that they may have the books on hand, and sell them as they go from door to door. If there be any local town ordinance prohibiting the direct sale of books, orders may be taken, and the books delivered in a few days. It might be well to announce on Sunday and Sunday evening at the services why you are making the effort. State that the money accruing from the sale of the book will be used to aid our educational institutions. This will appeal to the people. The book is undenominational in its make-up, and when displayed, and the object for which it is sold is properly presented to the people, scores and hundreds will look with favor upon the plan. The State committees mentioned are in favor of the plan, and many of them very enthusiastic over the work. We are speaking only for the States enumerated, and yet would it not be well for a similar plan to be followed throughout the field everywhere? Let us work together, and not allow another year to pass without seeing thousands of dollars brought in for the freedom of our schools throughout the country. Let us be enthusiastic in the work, and let our ministers everywhere lead the people, instead of telling them what to do. S. H. LANE.