TENNESSEE, ATTENTION by Orlando Soule

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 25, 1877

TENNESSEE, ATTENTION.

By Orlando Soule

We have now fully entered upon the most favorable season of the year for every one to do something to advance the cause of truth. Work is not pressing, and the long evenings always afford leisure; thus making it a special time for distributing reading matter.

As an evidence of the good results of such labor, I will mention one instance. Two years ago, a good brother entered a thinly settled neighborhood, and distributed tracts, obtaining two subscribers for the SIGNS. Time rolled on, and a few weeks ago I entered the same neighborhood, and gave eight lectures; and eight signed a covenant to keep all the commandments of God. This result, in this country, would have taken from four to six weeks of hard labor had not the people been prepared for it by our good pioneer paper and tracts.

Now, dear brethren, here is a broad field in which to labor, gathering in the last great harvest, with the promise that “he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal.” John 4:36.

But you say, There are so many in our community that do little or no reading. No doubt this is so; but if it is, there is all the more need of your being diligent in urging upon them the necessity of reading. Satan’s agents, who are filling the world with light and foolish reading matter, are diligent, leaving no stone unturned that will advance their work. And shall we be less diligent than they?

But how can the work be entered upon best? First, let every Sabbath-keeper become a subscriber for one or all of our periodicals; then they will better appreciate their value. Then there should be one or two persons of judgment and activity from every company of Sabbath-keepers to spend their whole time canvassing for the REFORMER and SIGNS; and if the proper persons are unable to get an outfit at once, let the brethren take the matter in hand and help them procure it.

Again, some who can, should get subscribers, and furnish the ready money themselves, taking in return the produce of the farm, garden, or poultry yard, which may be marketed if not needed.

There is danger of our becoming too distant. The society of Sabbath-keepers is most agreeable, so we choose it. This is not always best. When the work for the day is done, let us deposit in our pockets some tracts and papers, and visit our neighbors. Take a seat by their fireside, and make ourselves agreeable, talk of practical religion, and read some of the stirring articles from the paper on the same subject; and before leaving get them to subscribe if we can. Let every person get one subscriber, at least. Wake up, brethren; this State has almost a million and a half of inhabitants that must be warned, or blood will be found on our garments.

ORLANDO SOULE.