GOOD SUGGESTIONS by A. S. Hutchins

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 28, 1878

GOOD SUGGESTIONS.

By A. S. Hutchins

The remarks in Review No. 6 respecting writing long and too frequent letters were decidedly good. If these suggestions are generally adopted by us, they will call for self-denial on the part of some in the line of letter writing. As we read the article, it seemed so clear and truthful, it showed such a waste of time and means, that we almost wondered the writer did not in the closing paragraph, grant us license to be short in all communications to him, and to write but seldom, instead of stating that he should not like to have his letters “cut down in length or number.”

It seems to me that a very proper place to commence and continue carrying out these valuable hints would be in writing to strong men. Thereby we should show our appreciation of the good practical hints; and we should also have more time and means to use in writing missionary letters to the scattered and lonely ones, to such as have just embraced the truth, and to those who, by suitable communications, we may hope to help to see the precious rays of light from the last message of mercy.

There are afflicted, isolated, and lonely ones, to whom kindred spirits may speak by means of the silent pen, and open a spring of joy and gladness in their hearts. A good warm epistle, breathing words of sweet hope and friendly cheer, will often lift up the bowed down, revive their hopes of Heaven, and quicken their pace in the way to Mount Zion.

The pen in the hand of the ready writer, moved by the great and noble heart of the true missionary worker, is a power. Time is short. The work is winding up. Oh, that we could all be inspired with this thought and energized by the magnitude and importance of the work of the Master! Then would the fast-fleeting moments, and our influence, be more sacredly watched and guarded.

Recently I visited a lonely and very feeble sister, a worthy member of one of our churches, who has scarcely seen a Sabbath-keeper for years. Not one of the church seems to feel any responsibility to write her, assuring her that she still lives in their affections, and that she has their sympathies in her afflictions and declining health. She referred to this, but with no spirit of complaint. It seems to me that such cases should be remembered in our prayers, and that occasionally some words of love should be written to them.

May the Lord bless the scattered and lonely ones, the sad and sorrowing, striving for life eternal. Jesus loves them, yes, he has prayed for them.

“He hears the uncomplaining moan Of those who sit and weep alone; He lifts the mourner from the dust; In him the poor may safely trust.”

Soon will come the “oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.” A. S. HUTCHINS.