THE TRACT WORK by Joseph Clarke

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 20, 1876

FromThe Review and Herald, Review and Herald, Vol. 47, No. 16.

THE TRACT WORK.

By Joseph Clarke

It is exceedingly interesting to note the progress of the third angel’s message from its rise to its present strength and power.

It is nearly thirty years since Eld. James White, and a few associates, began the work of scattering the light upon the commandments of God and faith of Jesus. At that time, one person carried the weekly paper from the printing office to the post-office in a satchel; now, how great the work! It seems a clearly proven fact that Eld. White’s labors in this direction have been abundantly owned and blessed of God. We need not dwell upon this subject; the prosperous state of the Battle Creek and Oakland publishing houses attest the fact that God’s hand is in this work.

But how shall these publications, prepared with such care and skill, find their way to all the world? Within the past few years the Tract Society has arisen, and the work of Eld. S. N. Haskell, and others, has been greatly blessed of God, in this direction.

Some of us who have a long time been endeavoring to work in this cause, giving a tract here and a paper there, without any well-digested system, have a feeling as though our old way was good enough, and we do not like so well to keep a record of every little tract given away, and then report every three months.

We are like some ancient warriors who preferred fighting on their own account, from behind a tree or a stump, as they could best manage it, and then retreat when they thought best to some other cover, from which they might contend in a skirmishing kind of way.

But to make any headway against an organized foe, it is necessary to organize, and work in concert. We find system and

order work wonders in any cause;—why not use these agencies in God’s good work?

The Tract Society brings the good distributor in close brotherhood with the rich man who perhaps has not so good ability to distribute tracts; thus one furnishes means, and the other works in visiting and in distributing tracts.

The Tract Society furnishes the printed page at wholesale prices, and, by its extensive influence and membership, scatters the light evenly over the world; and by the experience and ability of its leaders, it is able to instruct its members in the wisest ways of doing good.

The man who works alone is more exposed to the enemy’s guns, and often he may spend much time and labor to no account, or at least may find his work nearly fruitless; but in association with the hosts of the Lord, he will find results to be victory and peace.

All may work in harmony and union. The carnal mind is ever at cross-points with God; the new man is in harmony with the work of God. Let us then seek for a whole consecration of heart to his work.

JOSEPH CLARKE.