p. 103 | READ IT, HEED IT by M. Wood

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 30, 1876

READ IT, HEED IT.

By M. Wood

It is an old adage that there is no use of employing a physician, unless you follow his instructions. This rule could very appropriately be applied to tract and missionary labor. Doubtless every member of the T. & M. Society is fully aware of the fact that we have not entered upon a work of such vast magnitude in a hap-hazard manner. On the contrary, we have a system; we have laws and by-laws by which to be governed in our missionary labors. And unless we make ourselves acquainted with these laws (or the constitution), become familiar with them, and are governed by them, we are liable to make mistakes; and mistakes cause confusion. Therefore it is absolutely necessary to the prosperity of the cause that we move systematically, unitedly, and harmoniously in this most solemn work ever committed to mortal man.

The success which has attended our feeble efforts during the past five years is, to a very great extent, attributable to our uniformity of action. And, as an illustration of the immense amount of labor that can be performed by systematic effort, I would call attention to the following significant facts.

The population of Boston at the present time numbers 350,000, including an organized body of police, numbering 700 effective men. There are times when it is absolutely necessary to stop the supply of water for a few hours. For instance, if there is a leak, or break in the main supply pipe (as there frequently is), the chief police is immediately informed of the fact. He, in turn, telegraphs to every station house in the city, and in less than three hours from the time of the first report every family, numbering 350,000 souls, has been called upon by these 700 officers, and notified that their supply of water would be cut off, in order to make repairs. So much for discipline, system, and equalization of labor. But without system, and every one acting independently of the others, the utmost confusion would be produced, and no general report could be returned to the officers. The city would be in an uproar. Families would be deprived of water, factories and machine shops would stop running, boilers would explode, and the cry would ascend from a thousand tongues, “Why did you not tell us?”

It has frequently been stated that the work which we have done has been but a preparatory work; and that the contemplated moves for the future far exceed anything we have as yet seen in the T. & M. work. And as the obtaining of subscribers for our periodicals, the distribution of our reading matter, and the forwarding of names and money is no small part of our work; the best way to perform it ought to be understood and practiced by all. Having erred myself in this, I mean with God's blessing to be more careful in the future; and I cordially invite my brethren and sisters, especially in Dist. No. 2, Mass., to carefully read and heed the instruction given us in reference to missionary labor. As we have laws, may God help us to enforce them. M. WOOD.