Tract Distribution by W. G. G.

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 18, 1870

Tract Distribution.

By W. G. G.

THE readers of the REVIEW have frequently had their attention called to the subject of tract distribution, and its importance has been set before them by Bro. White, by whose untiring labors a book fund has been created, which is enabling the servants of God to do much in the direction of spreading the truth by means of our publications. It is not, therefore, for the purpose of supplementing his labors and appeals that we now speak, but to give a few items of experience and observation, which will serve to illustrate the importance of this work.

While on a recent visit to the northern portion of the State, we had the pleasure of visiting with a brother who is one of the firmest friends of the cause in the State. His entire family are with him in the truth, are all ardent workers in the Sabbath-school cause, and exert a wholesome, saving influence in community. And this was all brought about by the instrumentality of a tract on the Sabbath question, which had accidentally, or perhaps we should say, providentially, fallen into their hands.

We are in constant receipt of letters from brethren and sisters in all parts of the country, who are with us heart and soul in the work of the third angel's message, and who have never heard the voice of the living preacher of these truths. By some means a tract or pamphlet came in their way, and they read it; at first perhaps from mere curiosity, but with increasing interest as its importance became manifest to them. Desirous of investigating further, they have sent for other tracts and books, until they have become soundly converted to the truth; some of them being absolutely more thoroughly conversant with the theory of truth than many who have enjoyed the privilege of hearing preaching for years.

Some of the advantages of the thorough but judicious distribution of tracts may be stated as follows:

1. Their power for good. Nearly all our publications are ably written, and well prepared. They are the fruit of earnest labor and arduous study; and after passing through the hands of a vigilant publishing committee, are qualified to set forth the truth in the clearest manner. When one of these books falls into the hands of a thinking person, it is, unlike the spoken sermon, always at hand, to repeat its arguments and its proof texts, until they have made their impression upon the mind.

Their value is also greatly enhanced by the fact that they can often find their way to places inaccessible to the preacher of the word. Many a man will admit the silent preacher into his house when his doors are effectually closed against the servants of God; and many a hard heart has yielded to the influences of truth when brought in this manner, which was proof against all preaching and argument by word of mouth.

2. Their cheapness. The labors of the faithful minister of the gospel are necessarily expensive. Sometimes, at a considerable outlay of means and expenditure of time, the preacher is able to report a few acquisitions to the ranks of those who wish to honor God in the observance of his truth. And while these labors are necessary, and could on no account be spared, yet the publications are often powerful auxiliaries in the work; sometimes even accomplishing independently more than the most faithful labors of the ablest ministers.

A single tract or pamphlet, costing only a few cents, has frequently been the means of converting an individual, and sometimes an entire family, to the truths of the last message. And when such has been the case, the expense of the entire edition of that work sinks into insignificance compared with the value of a soul saved to live forever.

3. They supply a want which can be met in no other manner. At the present time the number of faithful laborers in the great harvest field is very small, especially when compared with the magnitude of the work before us, which we know must be accomplished before the coming of the King of glory. This want has greatly crippled the cause in its progress, and were it not for the fact that our publications have in a measure supplied that want, the condition of things would now be much worse than it is.

Our books can be multiplied, and pushed out into the field, faster than ministers can be made. Brethren who have means, but upon whom God has not laid the burden of preaching the truth, can serve as faithful stewards in the use of the money intrusted to them, and liberally help in the spread of truth by means of the publications.

The Publishing Association, under the judicious management of our worthy president, is prospering as never before; and has well been denominated, “the right arm of our strength,” as a people. And who shall say that it will not be a most potent means, in the hands of God, of bringing about that ardently-hoped-for time when the “loud cry” of this message shall arouse the attention of a guilty world to the great truths which are so dear to us.

While we are praying the Lord of the harvest to send forth the laborers, let us be faithful to the interests of the cause in its present state; and in the fear of God act well our part, in whatever station of life we may be placed.

W. G. G.