To District No. 1, New York and Pennsylvania Tract and Missionary Society
By Roswell F. Cottrell
TO DIST. NO. 1, N. Y. AND PA. T. AND M. SOCIETY.
Twenty-six years ago, when I joined the little company of recruits enlisting for the last campaign of the great controversy of earth, I believed without a doubt that the third angel's message was from Heaven and not of men; and I believe it still. Of course we believed that this last generation would be tested by this message; but how the great work was to be done we knew not, but believed that God was able to do it in some way. We believed in preaching, and also in printing; and when we had a single hand press and hired rooms, we thought that progress was being made; and many of us, as individuals, scattered the printed papers here and there. But God, the author of all things, the beginning and the end of our faith, knew how to use the facilities that he had prepared for his work. He is the author of the inventions and improvements of our day. Men may take the glory to themselves; but steam navigation, the railroads, the telegraphs, and power printing presses are the means that God has prepared to use in closing up his work upon earth. It is by his Spirit that the work is to be done, but he has so ordered it that each one of his people may have a part in his great work; and he expects every soldier to do his duty. Since I have been called to head one regiment in the N. Y. and Pa. division of the grand army, I wish to magnify my office by the faithful discharge of duty; and I ask the co-operation of each captain (librarian) and each soldier in the ranks, that we may not be behind any battalion in the whole division. A little wholesome emulation in a good cause is not to be condemned; and if it is admissible in any cause, it certainly is in the work of the Lord. Rom. 11:14; Heb. 10:24; 2 Cor. 9:2. If we desire to do something in the work of the Lord, the way is open. All can have a part in the work of saving men, a work that will benefit others and also abound to our account. Will we all be united in this work? Let us each do our individual duty. In so doing, God will approve and bless our efforts. Soon, very soon, the war will be ended and the victors crowned. R. F. COTTRELL.