Work for All

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 30, 1902

THE circulation of our periodicals should not be left for a few especially appointed agents. Every member in the church should have a part in this work. We do not advise that our people subscribe for a large club of papers to be given away. It is about as easy to sell papers as it is to give them away, and those that are sold do the most good, for they are likely to be read and appreciated. We usually consider of little value that which costs us nothing. But we do believe that every Seventh-day Adventist should take a club of one or more of our papers, and devote a little time each week to selling them to his neighbors. The busy farmer can give an hour Saturday evening. The busy housewife can devote one afternoon a week, and even cripples and invalids can sell papers to those who call, and also to passers-by. God has given to every man his work. Are you doing the work he has given you?

Several years ago an energetic young woman was engaged as an assistant in one of our tract society offices. The office was near the largest church in the conference. Soon she was asked to act as librarian of the church. She was willing to do the work, but felt perplexed as to the way in which she could accomplish much for a large church of over two hundred members. But soon the Lord gave her a great burden to put some definite work into the hands of every member of the church. She visited the members at their homes, talked with them before and after Sabbath services, and would not be satisfied until every one was doing something. Some of the members took clubs of from three to twelve copies of one of the papers. A few took as many as a gross each week. Some sold a few small books, and several sold, loaned, and gave away tracts, and held Bible readings. The effect upon the church was marvelous. Cold hearts grew warm, and the church became a working power. Soon they opened up missionary work in a progressive way in halls outside. In one of these places a large church has been raised up as the direct result of that effort. In another place four or five accepted the truth as the result of small meetings held by lay members. The librarian herself was greatly blessed by this practical experience, and for several years she has been one of the most earnest and successful tract society workers we have.

Dear brethren, let us labor somewhere. The call of the hour is a call to service. The Holy Spirit is given to qualify us for service. Jesus came to this world to serve the world; he became the chief of servants, and he calls us to be co-laborers with him. Service is the “law of life to the universe.” “There is nothing but the sinful heart of man that lives unto itself.” Every atom in God’s great kingdom serves and supports its neighbor. We may become atoms of that kingdom now.