MANY THANKSGIVINGS TO GOD.
By S. N. Haskell
The apostle Paul uses this expression when encouraging the Corinthian church to put forth personal effort for the salvation of others who when they received the gospel, would praise God on their behalf. See 2 Cor. 9:6-12. "I would rather have an interest in the prayers of half a dozen devoted widows," said a man who was reproved by his brethren because of his liberality to the unfortunate, "than the best farm in the State of Massachusetts." Disinterested acts of benevolence in the cause of our Redeemer as surely bear fruit as performed. This is true in a special manner with those who are ever trying to enlighten others with the rays of divine light which they have received. The mission of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES is to convey these rays of light and truth from God's word to souls who would obey God did they know his will. Already there are hundreds of precious souls, scattered in various parts of the world, who are praising God for these glorious truths, who first had their attention called to them by this paper. In the great day of reckoning many will rejoice in seeing that it was their efforts in remailing the SIGNS, with the blessing of God, which brought these persons to the fold of Christ. Those thus saved will not come from any one nation or people but be gathered from every part of the civilized world. "Give me a little stock in that enterprise" said a brother, when the matter of sending SIGNS to England was spoken of. "I want to see some souls saved from that country through my instrumentality." A brother who is obliged to labor from six A. M. to seven P. M. at least five days in the week, was anxious to show me some letters which he had received. He uses ten copies of the SIGNS each week, and says he would like to use one hundred. He opened a small trunk in which were bundles of letters. The following are samples of many which he placed in my hands. "The copies of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES have been received and read, not only by myself and husband but several of our boarders. We are all interested in them and would like very much to read them regularly and also to have more of that class of reading matter. We prefer it to the sensational literature read by a large class of the rising generation. We heartily thank you for the SIGNS, and hope soon to be able to remunerate you for them. Please write me in regard to them and by whom the expense of publication is and has been paid. Again thanking you, I remain yours, etc." The above is from Massachusetts, and the following is from England: "I was very glad indeed to receive a letter from you the other week, bearing date of Sept. 7th, and thank you very much for your very kind wishes for my spiritual welfare. I am glad at all times to hear of the well doing of a brother in Christ. You may ever depend upon my prayers for your success. May God bless all your labors to further his cause. I read the SIGNS regularly. I feel deeply interested in it, so also does my friend the Rev. Mr. ———. I read with much pleasure the journal on health. I have given them to friends to read who are also interested in them." We cannot safely conclude that good is not accomplished when no response is received. It is our business to sow the seed; to sow it in tears, trusting in God for the fulfillment of the promise that we shall return with joy bearing our sheaves with us. If we receive encouraging letters in response to those we send, we will rejoice; if not, we pray that God will still bless and give success, knowing that "as the rain cometh down and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater; so shall the word of the Lord be that goeth out of his mouth, it shall not return unto him void, but it shall accomplish that which he please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto he send it."