Why Don't You Write? by Ellet Joseph Waggoner

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Mar 15, 1883

Why Don't You Write?

By Ellet Joseph Waggoner

THIS question is put to missionary workers. I do not refer to writing for the SIGNS, but to writing to those with whom they are doing missionary labor. Very frequently letters are received at the office of the SIGNS, from persons who have received several copies of the paper, and being pleased with it, would like to know to whom they are indebted for the favor. Of course no one at the office can tell; for the papers may have been sent by any one of the thousands of missionary workers throughout the country.

Again, persons receiving papers do not always wish to read them; so they send a request to the office of publication to have them discontinued. Sometimes the papers are returned to the office. Of course the office can take no action in the matter, as the papers were not sent directly from here, and the papers are not discontinued until the sender becomes discouraged because he sees no result of his labor.

Now all this trouble might be avoided if every one who sends out SIGNS, would send a card with the first number, letting the person know why and by whom the paper is sent. All necessary explanations can be made in a few words, and a courteous request for a reply will usually bring a response stating how the SIGNS is liked, and whether or not you shall continue sending it. Unless this is done, your work is only half done, and in many cases will be wholly lost. Many persons complain of the meager results obtained from missionary labor, and think that the work does not amount to much, when the trouble is no doubt entirely with themselves. Often it happens that those who are deeply interested are suddenly deprived of the SIGNS, because the one sending it has become discouraged, when, had he written, he might have had occasion for joy.

And right here a few words concerning the manner of doing missionary work may not be out of place. It is a common saying that whatever is worth doing at all is worth doing well. If this is true of ordinary work, how much more so of the Lord's work. Indeed, we think it may be truly said that the Lord's work may as well be left undone as not to be done well. None are called to share the joy of their Lord but those who have done well. And the words "Well done" imply continuous and careful service. If a person has done nothing he certainly cannot expect to have those words spoken to him; and he has no more right to hope to hear them, if he has done something, but has done it carelessly.

This will apply to every part of the work. It is not merely in the matter of writing letters, that our missionary workers are in danger of carelessness. The papers and tracts sent off should be neatly folded and wrapped, and plainly directed. A little inattention to these details may destroy the effect which the paper is designed to have. We should be careful that those to whom we send the paper are not disgusted with its first appearance.

We said that it would be as well to do nothing in this work as to do it carelessly. We did not speak unadvisedly. Says the prophet, "Cursed be he that doeth the work of the Lord negligently." Jer. 48:10, margin. Inattention to details in the Lord's work brings his curse upon us. Those who do nothing at all are also cursed;

the result is the same in both cases. In ancient times the Lord directed how the service of his sanctuary should be carried on, even to the smallest detail. He told what the priests should wear, and how they should appear before him. Nothing was too trifling to escape his notice. Is he not the same now as then? Will he countenance negligence now any more than he would then? No, indeed. He would have us understand that his work is sacred and important. Carelessness and negligence are not countenanced in the Bible, even in regard to our secular business, much less in the Lord's work. Let us who are permitted to engage in the service of God, bring to it all the energy and ability that we possess, and look to Him who has promised to impart wisdom, that we may learn how to work still better. Let us consecrate ourselves to His service, but let us not think to consecrate carelessness, for he will not accept that. But he will accept our best efforts, and if we give those, we shall surely hear at last the welcome words, "Well done." E. J. W.