A Work With a Future by Editor

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park, Washington, D. C. · Jan 2, 1913

A Work With a Future

By Editor

ELDER URIAH SMITH gave the following interesting report at the General Conference in 1889. Comparing the work at that time with former years, Brother Smith said:—

"I often think of the time when Elder Loughborough, myself, and a few others, in Rochester, N. Y., under the direction of Brother White, were preparing the first tracts to be sent out to the people. The instruments we had to use were a brad-awl, a straight-edge, and a penknife. With the awl, Brother Loughborough would perforate the backs for stitching, the sisters would stitch them, and then with the straight-edge and the penknife, I would trim the rough edges on the top, front, and bottom. We blistered our hands in the operation, and often the tracts were not half so true and square in form as were the doctrines they taught.

"I often try to imagine what our emotions would have been, could we have been suddenly transported to this time, and looked upon these institutions and the wonderful facilities now provided for carrying on the work, and heard the reports we have heard here, and so have been brought face to face with the great advancement that this cause has made. I think we should have felt like exclaiming, 'It is enough; "now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace"!' But we have come to this time; the contrast is no less real and striking because it has taken a few years to accomplish it. But now we do not feel like departing just yet, because there is a future to this work."

The total value of literature sales during 1889 amounted to $500,000. Brother Smith was right, was he not, when he said, "There is a future to this work"? Our sales have now reached a total of over one and one-half million dollars a year, yet notwithstanding this, we believe now as did Brother Smith in 1889, that there is yet a future to this work, and that it will continue to advance year by year.

"ONLY in the sacredness of inward silence does the soul truly meet the secret-hiding God. The strength of resolve, which afterward shapes life and mixes itself with action, is the fruit of sacred moments when we meet God alone."