Books on Present Truth by Joseph Clarke

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 30, 1864

Books on Present Truth.

By Joseph Clarke

In the short period of about twenty years, the Seventh-day Adventists have established a literature peculiarly their own. Commencing with the Sabbath which has been exhumed from the grave dug for it by the Man of Sin, and with it the moral law of ten commands, they have proceeded to remove the rubbish of tradition from other precious truths.

Works of this kind require patient labor in argument, forbearance in debate, and close study in investigation. On the various and important doctrines of the Bible, such as the future rewards of the righteous and wicked, the state of the dead, the doctrine of baptism, the future kingdom, the subject of the prophecies, and the gifts of the church, there has been much error to be corrected and removed.

No one man could have done this work; but many working in harmony have brought the light to bear upon these subjects, and as the fruits of their united labors, a library is now offered to the lovers of Bible truth, such as never before greeted the eye in this fallen world.

The four volumes of spiritual gifts are of priceless value. They do, like all those books which come from the Spirit of God, come home to the conscience and heart, and apply directly to the present emergency. Lifting the veil from what has been obscure, unlocking what was mysterious, and by the simplest form of expression, dissipating into thin air the clouds of tradition and error, and establishing without any seeming effort, what the enemy had apparently unsettled in the mind.

This work of God, as we see it developed in these four volumes, has been the life of this work, and those who are most effective as workers in this great movement, revere it, as Moses did the presence of the pillar of fire by night, and cloud by day which guided them in their journeyings, and only pity those who doubt so good a gift.

The hymn-book is the fruit of much experience and care, and all who worship in the holy assembly need a hymn-book like this, the best no doubt in the world.

Then the tracts and bound volumes convey at once a clear view of truth, especially those truths which are peculiarly applicable to the times, truths which are indispensable to be fully understood in these times of peril, truths which have a sanctifying effect upon the mind.

As we look at the catalogue of these publications and reflect upon the cause of this movement, and its progress, and future glorious triumph; when we think of all the agencies which have been and are now and will be used in its propagation, and final triumph, we are filled with wonder and delight.

It seems as though all those who would publish this

truth, must become skillful in the art of selling these works. Set the people to reading. This will be a powerful agency for good. Every minister should endeavor to persuade people to supply themselves with these works.

If a brother buys one book to-day, next week he will want two more; and soon he will buy four more; next he will want a full set. Then he will want for his friends, and so the market will enlarge. Do not think people are supplied because they have bought pretty freely. This is the very reason they will buy more.

If they are not disposed to buy, tell them of the value of the books. Recommend them highly. Show to them the necessity of reading this or that, stimulate them to purchase by argument; for these books will bear all such means, and often you will sell books where you would not, if you were a stupid salesman.

Sell these books. Sell them. You need not fear to recommend them. Sell them to one, sell them to all. Scatter them; but do not often give them away; for such gifts are generally despised, and neglected. Scatter them as leaves in the autumn winds; and let every one who would publish the truth, especially ministers, become pleasant salesmen; and depend upon it, some will "buy the truth and sell it not."

Jospeph Clarke.