p. 288 | Our Literature by W. N. G.

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, California · Sep 13, 1877

Our Literature.

By W. N. G.

The literature of the Seventh-day Adventists commends itself in various ways to the consideration of the reading public. It is the cheapest religious reading matter published, even to those who pay for it at full rates; and we have the testimony of an old colporteur, who has spent his life in the calling, that our people are more liberal in donating books, tracts and papers than any other denomination. Furthermore, there is no random, hap-hazard trash thrown out to the public. Our matter is all the careful production of thorough and experienced thinkers and writers. There is a comprehensive brevity in all our books, that characterizes no other class of writings; we have no large, cumbersome, expensive volumes, carrying a vast amount of meaningless verbiage; everything bearing the authorized imprint of the denomination is concise and to the point, quickly read and easily understood.

The pioneers of the third angel's message were poor and few in number; they realized that a great work had been entrusted to their care; hence they started out by using the greatest economy. They had neither time nor means to print books for show; their mission was to present the last message of God to dying man in a style within the reach of all. This necessity still accompanies the cause; it has been and is a great blessing to the work. By this means we are enabled to present the fundamental principles of present truth in a most desirable form—the simple essence of Bible teaching. Though brief, and printed in cheap form, so comprehensive and thorough has been the work of our authors, that a few days ago we heard a brother exclaim: “It ain't as it used to be; now, when we get puzzled over any doctrinal point, we have only to turn to a book and find it all made plain.”

In these days of much superfluous reading matter, on an endless variety of subjects, with every fad and ism vying for the attention of the public ear, it is but little that a rushing multitude will stop to read on any one subject, and that little must be every word to the point. Such are the books, etc., we offer for sale; such is the literature we ask our brethren to assist in publishing, and such is the matter we invite the public to read. There is no surplus of new books hurried off to stall the public appetite; but as new points are raised by the enemy, requiring a book or a tract to meet the emergency, some competent servant of the truth quietly, prayerfully, carefully and concisely produces the work.

A few new publications have been sent forth during the present year, which deserve to be thoroughly distributed. Among these we mention, Elder White's “Redeemer and Redeemed,” and “Christ in the Old Testament and the Sabbath in the New;” Elder Smith's “Sanctuary,” Elder Waggoner's “Spirit of God,” and Dr. Kellogg's “Plain Facts.” We earnestly recommend that our brethren give these works the attention they deserve. W. N. G.