Distributers by William Ings

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jun 4, 1885

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 11, No. 22.

Distributers.

By William Ings

It seemed necessary that something should be constructed to contain our publications for the benefit of people journeying on steamships. To supply this want, the distributers now in use were devised. This case would be an ornament to the cabin of the finest ship. It is made of walnut, and is eighteen inches in length, ten and a half in width, and four in thickness at the base. It contains eight pockets, five inches in length, four and a half in depth, and three-fourths of an inch in width. It has a baseboard four and one-fourth inches wide, which is painted black, and bears the following inscription:—

CHOICE READING FREE.

This reading matter is furnished by the International Missionary Society, 1059 Castro Street, Oakland, Cal. Correspondence solicited.

In this case are usually placed 6 SIGNS, 2 Reviews, 4 Instructors, 4 Sabbath Sentinels, and 104 pages of small tracts. The cases are filled as often as the ships come into port. For long voyages they should be more abundantly supplied than for shorter trips.

There is also a distributer for loaning purposes, which is usually placed in the ladies' cabin. It is constructed like the other, but has the inscription, "Read and Return," instead of "Choice Reading Free." This case is usually filled with such pamphlets as "Ministration of Angels," "Our Faith and Hope," "Matthew Twenty-four," "Saints' Inheritance," "Sanctification," "Truth Found," and the seven pamphlets on the life of Christ, by Sister White.

Thirty-one distributers are gracing the walls of sixteen steamers leaving the port of Portland, Oregon. Thirty-eight are used on steamships leaving San Francisco. By this means thousands of periodicals and pages of tracts are placed in the hands of the people.

As the utility of the distributers was seen, it was deemed advisable to use them on land. In many towns and cities upon this coast they have been put up in public places, and have everywhere given great satisfaction. It has been less than a year since they were introduced on the Pacific Coast, yet two hundred and seventy-five have already been manufactured on this side of the Rocky Mountains, and some have been made in the East. Erelong thousands will be used in sending forth the precious truth.

From its commencement this branch of the work has presented no discouraging features. All favors asked of railroad men and officers of steamships have been granted. The way has been opened in a remarkable manner for these silent messengers to be placed in positions accessible

to the traveling public, as well as to others who desire to read. Thousands of our publications have been taken by interested readers, and by this means they are scattered far and near on land as well as on the sea. God has gone before, and prepared the way, showing that it is in his order that this means should be used to spread the Third Angel's Message.

Even men not of our faith have caught the spirit of the work. A porter on a Pullman sleeper was anxious to have a distributer at the terminus of his road, in New Mexico, and desired the privilege of supplying it each week, which he has done for several months. Omens of good are seen constantly. Many persons have become interested, and some are accepting the truth. On the Oakland Ferry a short time ago, an intelligent man was asked to subscribe for the SIGNS. He responded that he had been a constant reader of that paper for some time, and he took a copy from his pocket, remarking that he obtained them from the distributers. This man had become interested. There are hundreds of similar cases. At a leading hotel where a distributer had been placed, the landlord on hearing that the person who had been supplying it was about to leave the place, visited him and expressed his sorrow that the work was to stop, saying that he had become greatly interested in the SIGNS, and especially in Mrs. White's articles, remarking also that our position on prophecy met his mind. Many other incidents might be related, had we space.

The cities must be warned, and this seems to be an instrumentality in the hands of God to assist in accomplishing the work. In this way thousands of the floating population can be reached, that could not be in any other. Hundreds of distributers might be used on this coast alone, if means could be obtained to meet the expense of supplying them. If those having a surplus of this world's goods could realize the importance of this branch of the work, means would be provided, and the good work would go forward. Are there not many that would like to furnish means to supply one or more of these cases, in harmony with the resolution passed at the late meeting at Oakland and published in the SIGNS of May 7?

I believe that God would have us arouse to diligence in our duty. The end is near; probation will soon close; soon the last note of warning will have been sounded; and how will it be with us? Will it be said of us, "Well done," or shall we be among the slothful servants, those that have not used their means, their talents, their strength, and all the ability they possess, in assisting to forward the cause of God? May we realize the importance of the work, and especially of this branch missionary effort, and thus be instrumental in the hands of God in bringing souls to a knowledge of the truth.

WM. INGS.