ENCOURAGE THE MISSIONARIES.
By WM. COVERT.
Did it pay to create a debt of six or eight hundred dollars to be paid by the Tract Society of Indiana for the Voice and Reformer, that have been read by as many hundred families in our State during the last year? I answer Yes; most positively, yes! I do not think that we ever invested means to better advantage. If doubt exists in the minds of any of the members of our Society relative to this, they may be convinced by some practical experience in laboring in new fields. Go with me to a community where no missionary labor has been bestowed. Peddlers of all kinds and money-seeking lecturers have disgusted the people, and drained their purses, until they are so suspicious of strangers that it is with great difficulty that we can prevail on them to let us have a house in which to hold meetings; but perhaps, by fair promises, we are granted the privilege of speaking in the meeting-house or school-house. But now we have some other matters to consider. We must have wood and lights; also some place to board, etc. Very likely the wood and oil will cost us from three to five dollars if it is cold weather. Next, we inquire of the deacon about the hospitality of the place, and are coolly informed that Mr. Jones keeps boarders—only four dollars per week, with an additional fifty cents for washing. So by the time we have fairly started our meetings we have very likely spent eight or ten dollars. I have not overdrawn this, as the brethren at Rochester will witness. I know it cost thirty dollars there for board, before the present truth melted its way to the hearts of the friends at that place, which the Conference cheerfully paid. No missionary labor had been bestowed at that place before the tent went there. But we will now take you to another field of labor. The missionary has gone before us. We go there by invitation. Many have been reading the matter prepared at our houses of publication. The Macedonian cry is, “Come over and help us. Our church is free, also wood, oil, and the services of the sexton. We welcome you to our homes; we will do all in our power to make you comfortable.” The meeting is a success. But the best of all is, many are already waiting with their friends, as was Cornelius, to hear all things commanded of God. The Spirit of God is working on their hearts, and you are encouraged from the first. The angels of God are there, and are presently permitted to bear the tidings up to the heavenly court that sinners are being converted. And angels rejoice as new names are recorded in the Lamb’s book of life. Our young men and women can, by the help of God and the publications, create an interest in the truth, and when it deepens, they can return to the same field and do good public work for Jesus. God bless the publications and the missionaries. And I pray that those who have been murmuring over this missionary debt may also receive a blessing, by having their eyes and their hearts opened, so that they may help to encourage missionary labor by their prayers and co-operation. Souls are ready to take hold of the truth in very many places where the living preacher has never been; and who can think their hearts are in the work when they are offering discouragement? Is our money more precious to us than souls? This kind of spirit would have kept Jesus from giving himself for us. I rejoice to learn that new fields are being entered, and that sheaves of good are being gleaned for the heavenly garner.