THE WEEKLY DISTRIBUTION OF THE SIGNS.
By Maria L. Huntley
The plan of clubbing the SIGNS OF THE TIMES being quite extensively adopted, perhaps a few words relative to the experience of those who have been interested in this branch of the work for sometime may not be uninteresting, especially to those just commencing the work. The question of obtaining interested readers for from five to fifty copies of the SIGNS, coming weekly, has been a serious one to many. And while the methods for accomplishing this are almost inexhaustible, it is nevertheless a question that demands careful and prayerful consideration. It will be necessary to reach out beyond personal friends, although they may aid us greatly by informing us of those whom we may benefit. The world is full of people, and it will be found that every interested reader that is obtained, will open the way for many others, and thus the work can be carried on and become more and more extensive. The only question of its success is involved in the manner of carrying it forward, and the devotion and self-sacrificing labor that is bestowed upon it, by those who engage in it. It must receive their constant attention, and their best effort, and so far as it falls short of this, it will prove a failure. In short, the heart should be in it, that the labor be faithfully performed; and a responsibility felt, that no copy should remain unused. When our denominational periodicals were first issued, before the first number had been sent forth to the world, they were dedicated with earnest, heartfelt prayer. God’s blessing was invoked upon them, and tears of gratitude were shed over them, in view of the fact that God had provided this means of presenting the precious light of truth to the world. It is most highly appropriate, and important also, that the same spirit should be felt by those who take these consecrated sheets as they come from the office of publication, and distribute them to those for whom they were intended. It is for this reason that it has been recommended that a Missionary meeting should be held each week, where practicable, in each company where a club has been formed. The friends in Lancaster have ever adopted this course. Each meeting is opened with a season of prayer, in which the blessing of God is earnestly sought to rest upon the feeble efforts put forth. After this, letters received during the week are read, and the sisters consult together with reference to matters that may come before the Society. It is no less important that those living alone, who engage in this work, should also seek God’s blessing upon their efforts. After a few numbers of the SIGNS have been sent to individuals a brief letter should be written to them, inquiring if they are interested in reading the paper, and stating that if they are, more will be sent. At a proper time they should also be invited to subscribe for it. Much can be accomplished in villages by visiting from house to house and leaving a paper wherever people will accept of it. The next week, visit the same individuals again, and carry the next number, and continue so to do until an interest is awakened or it is evident that they cannot be reached in this way. It is often well to call attention to some particular article in the paper, which will, at least, secure the reading of a portion of it. Those who thus become interested in the SIGNS, are almost invariably much pleased with the Way of Life, and are therefore disposed to subscribe and receive that as a premium. Let the same skill and aptness displayed in matters of worldly interest be devoted to this work, with true humility, and there is no possibility of a failure. The secret of our success in this, as in all enterprises connected with the cause of God, lies in being the humble instruments in his hands, and in carefully and patiently performing the work that is allotted to us by his providence. If this work is patiently continued, thousands of names will be collected, and as many individuals will have the opportunity of receiving the light of truth, this present year. It will be sowing the good seed that will spring up and bear fruit, some thirty, some sixty, and some an hundred fold. And this is not all: it will bring an infinite reward to the faithful laborers, however humble their sphere of action, and add stars to their crown of rejoicing. Of whom shall it not be said with respect to this work, “she hath done what she could”?