STRIKE WHILE THE IRON IS HOT.
By Wm. Covert
The smith that wields the hammer understands the value of time when the metal is at the desired temperature. He strikes while the iron is hot. Just so our missionary workers should put forth their best efforts when the public mind is in a proper condition to be impressed with the truth. I am satisfied that now is the most favorable time that we have had since our Missionary Societies have been in operation. Some may think that “hard times” is a great drawback to the work. I think that it is our opportunity. We have just passed through one of the most exciting political campaigns our country has experienced for many years. The majority have retired from the contest, and are rather disgusted with politics, and are prepared to think calmly on religious subjects. But money is scarce and retrenchment is a necessity, and I find many are not taking newspapers simply because money is hard to get; yet they are anxious to read. This gives us a splendid opportunity to introduce our publications. Some may say, Times are close with Adventists as well as others. True; but, brethren, the Lord is soon coming and we know it; and we have an opportunity to make an investment in this blessed cause. We now have the privilege of depositing in the Bank of Heaven, and Christ will see to it that the transfer is properly made. This bank was never known to fail. It cannot be robbed. The fires of the last days will not reach to it. Its President and Cashier promise ten thousand per cent. with a life insurance policy to all eternity. See Mark 10: 21, 30. But were it impossible to fill our quota on periodicals, we have yet another chance. I am satisfied that there are tons of reading matter annually wasted by our people. A very great many of our people use our papers as though they were of the least possible consequence. After they have glanced over them a few times, I find them used as common wrapping paper. They cut them into patterns, paste them up on the walls and on the flower boxes, and waste them in every imaginable way. This is all wrong. I would be glad to have them to circulate where I am lecturing. If one hundred missionaries should circulate the papers that they annually receive, it would equal in the aggregate 150,000 pages of tracts and pamphlets, perhaps more; yet it is a fact that the annual report of our Society in this Conference has come short of even these figures. Brethren, we must do better, or our Master will never say unto us, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”