AN APPEAL by B. L. Whitney

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 24, 1876

AN APPEAL.

By B. L. Whitney

N. Y. and PA. Tract Society

There has never been a time since the organization of our Society when there seemed to be the interest in present truth on the part of the public generally as now. And while this is doubtless the case, to a greater or less extent, everywhere, there seems to be special indications that the Spirit of God is at work upon the minds of the people of our own State, and the way is being prepared for the reception of the truth.

If this is the case, and I think none who have been laboring to place the light before the people will doubt it, what stronger reason could be urged for taking hold of this work with renewed energy and zeal to do all in our power to carry it forward? Our earnest inquiry should be, In what way can we most effectually accomplish the work?

This question decided, it remains to set ourselves earnestly and perseveringly at work to carry out the decision. We would heartily recommend the plan which has lately been suggested in regard to the circulation of the SIGNS. Two thousand copies should be sent to this State the present season. We believe this can be done, and the plan proposed is as follows:—

1. Let our brethren everywhere immediately subscribe for from three to five copies for their own use. At least, 1000 copies should be taken in this way. These extra copies are to be used in getting interested readers among neighbors and friends everywhere. The plan of using them is fully explained in articles on this subject by Bro. Haskell. They will be furnished for this purpose at the regular Tract Society rates, $1.50 per copy. We do not suggest this to interfere with individual's subscribing at the regular subscription price. Let those who are able take a copy at $3.00 per year for their own table and several copies to use in doing missionary work.

Wherever this plan has been proposed, the brethren have taken hold of it with commendable zeal, and already nearly 300 copies of the SIGNS have been subscribed for in this manner; but what is needed is that this movement should be general, and thus the greatest amount of good possible be accomplished. We request those who have not already thus subscribed for the SIGNS, to send in their names immediately to the State secretary, stating how many copies they wish, and they will be forwarded without delay. These names will be properly reported to the officers of the districts in which the individuals belong. We make this suggestion because the volume is fast passing and the subscriptions should commence without delay. They can be paid for at any time during the next quarter.

2. One thousand copies should be sent to candid, intelligent persons who are interested to read, that they may become acquainted with our views, and examine for themselves in regard to the truthfulness of our position. These individuals should, so far as possible, be induced to pay for the paper at the price at which it is furnished to the Tract Society, or at least a part of it, the balance to be paid by the Society. With proper effort on our part, a much larger number of names than has been mentioned might be judiciously obtained. We do not ask that any number of names be indiscriminately gathered up, simply that a given number may be furnished within a given time, but we believe the SIGNS ought to go to a thousand or more families during the next three months who would be benefited by reading it.

The names may be obtained by the individual members of the Society who shall find persons interested to read whom they may not themselves be able to furnish, and by canvassers who may be appointed by the Society to act in that capacity. All names paid for out of the Society funds will be sent at the discretion of the directors of the districts from which they are sent, that careful and judicious work in the selection of names may thus be secured.

In order to do this work, means will be needed in the Tract Society treasury, and we wish especially to call the attention of the Society to this point. We ask the co-operation of all in this direction, and at the same time we wish to see the work carried forward on the basis of equality. While quite an amount of means has been raised and expended by our Society, it is a fact that this has been furnished mostly by persons of moderate means, while more able brethren have not borne their proportionate share of the burden. One very encouraging feature of our late meeting at Adam’s Center, reported elsewhere by Bro. Haskell, was the fact that the necessity of a reform in this direction is being felt by those who have means, one brother coming forward with a donation of $500, and several others with $100 each.

There are others in the State who would bring the blessing of God into their homes and hearts by following this good example. Then, when this class have led out in the work, we may be sure that all our brethren, according to their ability, will contribute their share, and thus the need be supplied so that the work in this department be not hindered for lack of means. We should immediately raise a fund of $2500 with which to furnish the SIGNS to those who should receive it, and to purchase publications, for which the call is constantly increasing.

Nor should the REFORMER be neglected in our efforts for the SIGNS. With the premium that is being offered as an inducement to new subscribers, hundreds of new names should be added to the subscription list in this State. And we recommend with this, as with the SIGNS, that those who can use them subscribe for extra copies at half price to use in the same manner. We need the education and discipline that this kind of labor would give us, and I fully believe the real benefit we should receive, as individuals, by a faithful effort in this direction, would be worth many times more than it would cost, to say nothing of the good that might be accomplished for those for whom we labor.

We expect an immediate response from all parts of the State, especially in regard to the SIGNS. Do not wait till you have fully decided just how you can use them before you dare to order; but with faith in the work to which God has called us, let us go forward and trust in his providence to open the way for us when we have done all that we can on our part.

God has led his servants to the work of preparing this agency by which we may be instrumental in carrying the light to others; and when the means are thus made ready to our hand, shall we not be held responsible if we neglect to use them? Let the names of our brethren who want from two to ten copies of the SIGNS to use in the missionary work come in without delay. When convenient, let the business be done as usual through the officers of your districts; but when it is not, send direct to the State secretary, who will see that the business is properly arranged with the district to which you belong.

Then, as you go to work with the SIGNS and find those who are interested to read, send in their names to the district secretary, or the director of your district, who, if he judges advisable, will forward them. Of course there will be no question as to those who are willing to subscribe at Tract Society rates. May the Lord help us to take up the work with faith and earnestness, laboring with zeal and discretion, and we may be sure of his blessing upon us and the work. B. L. WHITNEY.