THE LORD'S PROMISE, AND HOW IT IS BEING FULFILLED.
By C. P. Bollman
When the work of establishing a publishing house in Nashville for the Southern field had been undertaken, the Lord sent a special message to those who were leading out in that movement, saying: “Go to the people, direct, for means. I will impress hearts.” In obedience to this definite instruction, an appeal was prepared and sent out; and hearts are being impressed. Indeed, the Lord is doing just what He said He would do, and we all feel that every dollar received in response to the call which He directed us to send out, is sacred. So far, the means to build and equip this publishing house has come largely from our poorer brethren and sisters. The sums received have been small. This we believe has been in the providence of God so that hundreds of hearts might share the blessing of being specially impressed by the Lord to contribute to this work. But larger donations are needed, and we believe the Lord will continue to impress hearts until, as was the case in the camp of Israel, proclamation shall be made saying that it is enough. The letters received have done all of us here so much good, that, wishing others to be blessed by them also, I take the liberty to make a few quotations quite at random from some of these letters. One good brother writes thus:— “I inclose a post-office money order for five dollars. I am building a house myself, and have to stop for means, but feel that the Lord's work is of more consequence than my house. I am a laboring man with not much of this world's goods, but love to see the cause of God prosper. May the Lord bless your efforts to advance His cause.” Another brother, writing from a distant State, but with a heart warm with the love of the truth, says:— “I received your kind and welcome notice of the need of means to complete the work you have started. I thank the Lord that I am privileged to help in this work, though it is but little. I will take one share of stock, for which I inclose five dollars. Brother — will also take one share. Sister — gives twenty-five cents to the building, and I also give two dollars to the Gospel Herald missionary fund. Brother — gives one dollar to the same fund. Now if you don't get enough to complete the building this call, don't be afraid to call again, and our hearts will respond. May the Lord greatly bless the work in the Southern field.” A sister in California sends this word of good cheer and encouragement:— “I received your kind letter, and am glad that I can have part in this grand work. I wish I could give more; but when we do the best we can, the blessing of Jesus will go with it. I am glad we may be co-laborers with our blessed Lord. I will subscribe for one share of stock, and can pay twenty-five cents per month.” Such letters make us think of the poor widow's two mites. Surely the blessing of God will go with money that is the fruit of real sacrifice, as much that is building up the work here certainly is. One brother's heart was so impressed that he could not sleep, and he had to rise in the night to send his donation to the publishing work. May the Lord greatly bless him, and make his sleep sweet and refreshing. Space will not permit further quotations from the many good letters that have come to us. But permit me to say that the Lord's blessing has rested upon the work here in a marked manner. Never before in the entire history of the denomination have such facilities for carrying on the publishing work been provided at such a small cost. The Lord is not only impressing hearts, but He is blessing the means given, and we believe that He will continue to bless. Several persons not of our faith have been impressed to assist in this work. One such, a lady, sent fifty dollars, and another, a gentleman, gave twenty dollars. We trust that this does not mean that those who know not the truth are more susceptible to divine impressions than are some of our own people. We who are on the ground, and who have been here for several months, can never tell how much we have for which to be thankful. We were told to “plan by faith, and work by faith,” but not to go into debt. The foundation for the building was begun when there was but little more than enough money in sight to buy the stone; but before the means then on hand was used up, more came in; and so it has been right along. We have never had much ahead. It has seemed at times that the work must stop, and once for a few days it did practically cease, but the Lord's promise has not failed. Hearts577have been impressed, and the necessary means has come in, just as the money has been needed. We believe that this will continue, and that those who assist in this work will share in the blessing here and in the reward hereafter. We trust that our brethren whom the Lord has blessed with more of this world's goods than falls to the lot of most persons, will realize that they, too, have a duty to do in assisting in this work. More means is needed, and there is still opportunity to share the promised blessing. C. P. BOLLMAN.