HE MEANT BUSINESS by H. W. Jackman

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 1, 1877

“HE MEANT BUSINESS.”

By H. W. Jackman

Not long since, I happened to step into the office of a manufacturing company, with whom I had some dealing. Scarcely was I seated when in came an agent for the sale of a newly-invented fire-proof safe. He began to state his business, but the proprietor cut him short by saying, “No, sir; we don’t want a new safe, we have one already which will answer our purpose for the present.” Did the agent lose courage, and give up in despair? Not at all. He meant business.

Changing his tactics, he began to speak of the varied manufacturing interests of our country, a subject which of course interested his hearer. But he never lost sight of his object. Slowly, but surely, he brought the conversation to bear upon the subject which was uppermost in his mind, viz., the manufacture of safes. In glowing terms he spoke of the improvements which had from time to time been made, until they had reached their present stage of perfection. Evidently, he had thoroughly mastered his business. His listener became interested, and before the agent left the office a bargain was made, and his object was accomplished. What was the reason of his success? Simply this, He meant business, and understood his business.

Truly, thought I, “The children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.” Luke 16: 8. Here is a lesson for every member of our Tract and Missionary Society. God has given each of us a work to do, and he demands of us that we should familiarize ourselves with the work, and then bring into requisition all the powers of mind and body, toward the accomplishment of the object desired. In the work set before us, we need to be “wise as serpents and harmless as doves.” It is not for us to faint or lose courage because we are not always successful, but every repulse should only cause us to study our business more fully, and by fervent prayer so consecrate ourselves to the work of God, that our efforts will be blessed of him. “He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.” Ps. 126: 6.

God bless the army of T. and M. workers, and may every one feel the importance of laboring while the day lasts. Let us go forth and sow beside all waters, and at the last it will be seen that our labor was not in vain in the Lord.

H. W. JACKMAN.