A VOICE FROM WASHINGTON.
By S. N. Haskell
THINKING they might be interesting to those who are subscribing for a number of copies of the SIGNS which they design placing in the hands of interested readers, we give the following extracts from a letter from sister Cook of Washington, D. C., dated Jan. 4, 1876. Sister Cook embraced the truth about four years ago. At that time we knew of no interest whatever upon the Sabbath question in that city. But she has labored efficiently in visiting, corresponding, and in every way that the providence of God has seemed to open before her. The extracts are from one of her reports sent to the V. M. Society at South Lancaster, Mass. They not only show what can be accomplished by such labor, but also the interest that is being taken in our publications where they are judiciously distributed. After referring to her recent illness, she says:— “As soon as I was able to leave my room, I examined the contents of the box of books, etc. I took a package of Almanacs and tracts, and went out, and called on about all of my neighbors. I also did what I could for our precious cause with my pen. “I have been trying to see what I could do toward getting subscribers for the SIGNS OF THE TIMES. I first wrote to Bro.——, who lives just out of the city, calling his attention to the liberal terms on the SIGNS, offered by the Tract Society, and invited him to call and see the premium books. I learned through another person that this brother liked the SIGNS, and was interested. I am in hopes he will subscribe. “Next, I wrote to another brother who also had had the SIGNS sent to him. He replied by letter that they were sorry to have the SIGNS stop coming. He said that from six to ten had been reading his paper, and the result was that a number had embraced the Sabbath, part of four families, I think. He said the people were poor, but full of the love of God, and love for the brethren, especially the seventh-day people. This brother says he has had employment only about one-fourth of the time for five months past. I would gladly send him the paper at my own expense if I could, but the best I can do at present is to send these people my papers. So every week I mail them something, and they are very thankful. All are strangers to me except this brother. His home is just out of the city. “I called on a brother in this city who had been reading the VOICE OF TRUTH. He has become interested, and thought he would subscribe for the ADVENT REVIEW after the VOICE had stopped. Next, I called on another who also had received the VOICE free. He said he had been obliged to curtail his expenses of late; that he had stopped two Adventist papers, but he liked the VOICE OF TRUTH much; and that he gave the paper to others to read, and would subscribe for the SIGNS as soon as he could. “I then wrote to a sister who now lives in Eldersburg, Md. I wrote her, soliciting a subscription for the SIGNS. She intends to become a subscriber, and I think will. She says her brother, who lives in another town near her, wants his paper continued, and will pay for it. So I must try to write him soon and see. She also mentioned another gentleman who believes in the seventh-day Sabbath, and was fined five dollars for working Sundays. I feel a deep interest in him, and must write this sister again soon, get this brother’s address, and learn more of him. “I have written to other friends in relation to the SIGNS and REFORMER, but have received no responses as yet. Have invited those I have seen, who have had the REFORMER free, to subscribe. They speak well of it. Doubtless I could get some to subscribe if I could go and see them, but that is almost impossible at present, as I am not able to walk much. I intend to go out as much as I can with almanacs, tracts, and papers. I have friends and acquaintances from Maine to California to whom I can mail almanacs.” We have recently received a letter from one of our brethren who has had much experience in this kind of missionary labor, stating that the leading Methodist minister in one of our Southern cities has embraced the Sabbath. Thus we see that wherever a proper effort is put forth, the blessing of God seems to accompany it. We hope to see not less than one thousand active missionary workers enter the field the present year in addition to those already engaged. Working unitedly will enable us to accomplish tenfold more than can be done by any impulsive, independent moves. We should give a long pull, a strong pull, and a pull all together. There should be one thousand men and women who can and will make use of at least five copies of the SIGNS each this present year. Shall we have them? Shall we not bring into the field the buried talent for corresponding, visiting, and such other efforts as will advance the cause of Christ? Now is the time for action. Souls are perishing for want of the truth, and shall we not give it to them? A coming up to the help of the Lord is what is needed. We should seek for more of the pure principles of Bible religion, and an active faith in the solemn truths we believe. S. N. HASKELL.