Finish the Work by Wm. Covert

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 8, 1902

Finish the Work

By Wm. Covert

It is not difficult to get a church to begin the work of selling “Christ’s Object Lessons,” but it often requires considerable time to get all the members to do their full part. Not all the churches where a good beginning has been made have filled their quota. There are members in many places who have not as yet made an effort to sell a book, while many others have surmounted obstacles, and cheerfully completed the work assigned them.

It is presumed that those who have not yet sold the required number of books are unfavorably situated for such work, and that they will yet do their full share. Many have sent us word to this effect. They say that as soon as possible they will go out and dispose of a full complement of the book. Almost every mail tells us of some one who has succeeded in disposing of a full quota of books where the outlook was unfavorable. These reports are encouraging, because they show that the completion of this whole matter is only a question of time. In fact, we are now so well along in this work that it would be unwise and cowardly to speak of failure.

The leaders of our churches will do well to come in touch with every member enrolled upon the church records, and secure the co-operation of all as early as possible. Kindly keep the matter before them until a favorable response is secured. There is not a church in Wisconsin that cannot in time fill its quota. Very many individuals have sold double the number of books assigned them, and many others a great many times their quota, some even twenty-five times the number assigned them. We confidently expect that the twelve thousand for Emmanuel Missionary College will be sold before many months have passed, and not only so, but that many thousand more will be sold, and the money used in establishing our German school in Wisconsin. We are glad to say that arrangements to this effect have already been perfected with those who have the management of the matter in hand.

A spirit of courage and confidence prevails, though we have not succeeded in disposing of our quota as early as might have been done if all had rallied to the call when it was first made. A kind, persevering spirit in the Lord’s work will do wonders, and every one of us should seek to obtain and hold fast such a spirit. Let every one in the conference continue to press forward in this good work, and we shall soon see the work accomplished.

Wm. COVERT.