p. 52 | GET THEM TO READING by James White

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 18, 1856

GET THEM TO READING.

By James White

But very little has ever yet been accomplished in bringing people to see the present truth by preaching alone. In order for the people to retain the reasons of our faith, they would have to be repeated many times, had they no other means to learn them than from the speaker's lips. But as our preachers can hardly find time to repeat once the main reasons of our faith, unless they get the people to reading, their efforts in preaching the word are generally lost.

Neither has much been done by circulating our publications where the Word is not preached. Something has been done with publications without the living preacher, and doubtless much is yet to be accomplished with publications alone.

But much has been done, and very much can be done with both together. All who go out to teach, whether it be by public lectures, or social instruction by the fireside, should go out well supplied with all our publications. And when the attention of the people is called to Bible subjects, by lectures, or by private teachings, then they will read to profit, and store the mind with Bible arguments. In our publications all the common objections to our position are answered, so that the reader may become capable of meeting the many objections. Such can stand, while those who are not prepared to meet objections will not stand.

Those preachers of the present truth who are most successful, usually spread out a quantity of all our publications upon the stand or desk before them before rising to speak. They frequently refer to the publications where subjects are fully explained, which the speaker has not time to fully explain. At the close of the discourse, the books are offered to the people at our published prices, and the importance of their being carefully read is urged upon them. By this time the people who are prepared to purchase books come forward for a supply. And we venture the assertion, that most reading persons will learn more present truth by reading one evening, than to listen to two discourses. Let the books be on the stand at every discourse, Sabbath excepted.

The press is a mighty engine. Let it do its work, and save the lungs; short, spirited discourses and the books will do tenfold more than long argumentative discourses which weary the people, and wear out the speaker's lungs. Fire-side preachers can call the attention of their friends to the truth, then offer them books where they may find the reasons of our faith plainly stated, and fully defended. Brethren, you may do the people much more good, and still save your lungs and your breath, by getting them to reading.

J. W.