OUR LITERATURE by G. W. Spies

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 31, 1900

OUR LITERATURE.

By G. W. Spies

“If there is one work more important than another, it is that of getting our publications before the public, thus leading them to search the Scriptures.”

The value of our publications can be estimated only by the value of the truths they contain, or by the value of the souls they will save. And these are valued by our Heavenly Father as he values the life of his own dear Son.

Hence the importance of circulating our periodicals is apparent. And any enterprise that has, for its object the salvation of precious souls should have the most hearty sympathy and co-operation of every member of our denomination. If we could realize the magnitude of the work that is before us, and appreciate the stubborn resistance that we shall have to meet from opposing influences, it would lead us to greater activity, greater aggressiveness, in our God-given work.

The Lord tells us that in the performance of his work we should be “far ahead” of other denominations. But, alas! we are far behind. “We are years behind.” “Not one one-hundredth part has been done or is being done by members of the churches, that God requires of them.” A year ago a single one of the two hundred periodicals published by one of the leading denominations alone, had a circulation that exceeded the combined circulation of all our periodicals. Think of it, brethren. The millions of error-laden periodicals published by one denomination alone, outnumber, twenty-five to one, our entire circulation. But what shall we say when we compare our work with the combined efforts of Romanism, Spiritualism, and apostate Protestantism, the three principal factors with which we have to do in our work? Surely we should bestir ourselves.

Shall we not see an advance made in the circulation of our precious literature? Shall we not average more than one paper a member each week in carrying out our God-appointed commission to rescue a fallen world from the thraldom of sin? Brother, sister, how many of these truth-laden, heaven-inspired messengers are you sending out each week on the wings of prayer? How many precious souls will be garnered as the result of your untiring efforts to spread abroad the printed pages like the leaves of autumn?

The question is not, “What is the denomination doing?” but, “What am I doing?” “What are you doing?” Are you accomplishing your part in God’s great purpose of enlightening a benighted world? Am I? May the time soon come when our periodicals will indeed be scattered everywhere like the leaves of autumn.

Already our mailing privileges are being threatened. Many of our present facilities will soon be removed. Satan is closing up every avenue possible. “Soon it will be more difficult than we can imagine.” “Everything will be placed to obstruct our way.” Then “the work which the church has failed to do in a time of peace and prosperity, she will have to do in a terrible crisis, under most discouraging, forbidding circumstances. This day is just before us.”

May the Lord of hosts inspire us with zeal and courage, that “the truth may be given wings to speed it” and the coming of our dear Saviour.

G. W. SPIES.