TAKE THE BOOKS by Roswell F. Cottrell

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 7, 1878

TAKE THE BOOKS.

By Roswell F. Cottrell

OUR tract and missionary societies were formed to unite with and help our Publishing Association in spreading the truth, thus to save men. Publications and periodicals are offered to our societies at reduced rates, in order that we may be able to do the greater work in spreading the truth throughout the world. It is therefore our duty, as members of the tract societies, to do all we can to sustain the Publishing Association, by taking all our periodicals at full value for our own use, so that the tracts and periodicals for missionary purposes can be afforded at low rates.

The natural selfishness of depraved human nature causes some to forget their obligation to sacrifice to sustain the cause and our publishing interest, and, instead of this, they desire to get their own papers at the reduced rates offered to the tract societies for the benefit of those outside, who have not the knowledge of the present truth. Such a course is very reprehensible, because it is calculated to hinder instead of helping to advance the truth among our fellow men. We should pay full rates, that the benefit of the reduced rates may be more widely diffused.

There are at our Office of publication valuable books which should be in every family of our people. Those who are able should buy them. Such books as the three volumes of the Spirit of Prophecy, The Sanctuary, Thoughts on Daniel, and Thoughts on Revelation, should not only be read, but studied, by all, old and young. They should be upon our tables, so that the young, and our friends and neighbors, may have the opportunity to become interested and learn their contents. The time is at hand when we must all be able to give a reason of the hope that is in us, so that we can lean upon the truth in the hour of temptation when our faith shall be tried. Let all that are able have these books. The Association will furnish them to our societies at wholesale rates. Then by buying them at full rates we help our society and advance its object in the one great cause. Who would not desire to do this? And to those who are too poor to take them for themselves, the wealthy can furnish them, the same as to those without whom we labor to benefit.

Will you not, brethren, take hold of this work? It will help our societies to pay up at the Offices of publication, and this will help our Publishing Association to send out the truth that is to enlighten the world, ripen the harvest for the sickle of Him who will soon appear upon the white cloud. Who would not have a part in such a work as this? It is time that we were awake and laboring with our might. Soon the night cometh. Now is the time to labor self-sacrificingly and win immortal honors. How delightful, how transcendently glorious, to hear it said, “Well done,” and to see the fruit of our labor in the kingdom of God!

R. F. COTTRELL.