A WORD WITH AND FROM V. M. WORKERS.
By Maria L. Huntley
Having received several letters of interest from those who are having an experience in the distribution of the Signs of the Times, we thought a few extracts would be of interest and benefit to missionary workers. The amount of good that is being accomplished by this means is much greater than could be reasonably hoped for. Instances where remarkable results have followed this distribution have become so numerous that many are in danger of expecting too much in a short time, and of becoming discouraged if their anticipations are not realized. We should not expect more of our friends, to whom we send periodicals, than we ourselves would probably give under similar circumstances. It required much more than a little reading matter, and such letters as are usually written, to induce many of us to accept the truth. It is a work that requires much prayer, labor, and devotion to God. While it is very encouraging to see good results follow our efforts, we should not conclude that no good is accomplished, if we are not thus gratified. Our greatest anxiety should be to know that God accepts what we do. If he does, we need have no fears respecting the result. A few letters have been received something like the following:— “I think our members have been faithful in using all the papers for missionary purposes, and that they have diligently followed directions in writing letters, etc. We have no difficulty in procuring names; but we have as yet to learn of one who has received the truth through the efforts of this society, although quite a number have responded favorably.” It is possible that this society and others, also individuals having a similar experience, are really accomplishing more than some under whose efforts persons have embraced the truth. We can form no correct estimate from apparent results. Those that are most permanent are frequently longest in developing. The next is from a brother who has been earnestly engaged in the missionary work for several years, under circumstances which would have discouraged many. Only a short time ago he could not have stated anything definite that had been accomplished; but he, with others, continued to labor, and we now behold the result. The same may soon be seen in other localities where now there seems to be little or no fruit. This brother writes as follows:— “We have distributed many thousand pages of tracts, and have loaned many books and pamphlets. We now have interested readers for our ten copies of the Signs. A visible success is apparent in the suppression of a large amount of prejudice against the truth, and three precious souls have been gained who expect to be baptized and unite with us this fall. There are also other hopeful cases.” Last winter a sister in Iowa was induced after some hesitation to subscribe for a club of Signs. She then thought it would be of but little use in the vicinity where she lived. She now writes:— “Our club of Signs are all used for missionary purposes, and we have no difficulty in procuring the addresses of individuals to whom to send them. There are two families keeping the Sabbath as the result of the work done here, having never heard a sermon on present truth. Others are interested in reading, and are almost persuaded.” A sister in Minnesota gives her experience thus:— “When we commenced sending out the papers, it was with much fear and trembling. we hardly dared to hope for such results as we have now seen; but after sending a few numbers and tracts to a friend, she writes that she is keeping the Sabbath. She searched the Bible closely to see if she would not be justified in keeping one-seventh part of time. She also tried keeping the first-day more strictly, but could get no rest until she submitted to keep the whole law. She has given her papers to a neighbor, who is now keeping the Sabbath with her.” Much more of this letter is of interest; but our space will not admit of giving it here. We wish to give a word of encouragement from one of our isolated brethren. He says:— “In answer to your inquiries I wish to say that I do not belong to any V. M. society or committee. I subscribed and paid for ten copies of the Signs, and use them all myself. I have no difficulty in finding interested readers, and have obtained one subscriber for sixteen months. I shall continue my efforts to promulgate Bible truth, and there is no better way to do this than by circulating our tracts and periodicals. For your encouragement in the missionary work, I will say that I embraced the truth as the result of a friend sending me the REVIEW for six months, having never heard a sermon by any of our ministers, except at a funeral, until months after I commenced to keep the Sabbath. My wife, who was at first bitterly opposed, is now with me in the truth.” Another brother, whose example we wish might be followed by other business men, says:— “I have several interested readers here who I think in time will come out and take a stand on the truth. As I am engaged in a manufacturing business in this place, I have dealings with business men, and am engaged in missionary work among them. Some of the leading men are reading our publications and one is especially interested.”