ABOUT THE BOOK FUND by James White

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 26, 1869

ABOUT THE BOOK FUND.

By James White

Since May 10, 1869, I have given from the book fund in books, to the amount of $973.07. During this time, I have received for this fund $1019.65. This shows the interest of our people in the circulation of our tracts, pamphlets, and books.

I gave in Minnesota, to the amount of $135.70, and have packed a box for Eld. W. S. Ingraham, Kasson, Minn., containing books from the fund as follows: For Bro. Ingraham, to the amount of $34.76; Bro. Pierce, $17.83; Bro. Hansen, $23.40. I send to Bro. Hansen some Danish works and pay for them from our book fund to the Danish fund. The distinction of these funds should be abolished, and while our Danish brethren liberally contribute to our fund, they should feel free to call upon us for all those works in their language which they can judiciously circulate.

We feel a deep interest in the spread of the truth among those of other languages. There is a sincerity and simplicity with our German, French, Norwegian and Danish brethren, which endears them to us very much. May God bless their labors to the good of many of their own tongue. We will do what we can to help them. More about this by-and-by.

God is blessing our effort in the circulation of tracts, pamphlets and books. There are many among us who date their interest in the truth, which resulted in their conversion to God, from reading a tract or a pamphlet. A sister, at the Minnesota Camp-meeting, came to the book-stand for publications to circulate. She stated that the reading of a part of a tract, a portion having been torn off and lost, commenced her experience in the precious truth of God. God is preparing good minds to hear and read with candor and interest, and they must have publications.

The people are perishing for want of knowledge. The laborers are few, the field is wide, and the harvest is plenteous. If this vast harvest work be left to living preachers, it never will be done. Much, very much, must be done with books, and many of our publications must be circulated gratuitously.

We engage in the preparation for the press several important works especially adapted to the wants of the people, and call on all to assist in the expense of their publication, and in their circulation. In August, an edition of five thousand copies of Bro. Andrews' “Ten Sermons” was published. About four thousand copies have been disposed of. We shall immediately publish ten thousand copies, and ask help in their circulation. The Lord is giving us the field, and we must all engage in the work. God will bless united and vigorous action.

Those who have pledged to the book fund are invited to pay their pledges as soon as possible, and all others are invited to assist in this good work. We shall be happy to send the book-fund report issued last May to all who are interested in the matter, on receipt of postage; and shall promptly correct all mistakes when pointed out.

We invite all our accredited ministers to interest themselves in this work. We will send them books for gratuitous distribution, as they may need, and ask them to help us in the work in return. They can have book-fund reports to distribute free, and the pleasure of collecting money for the fund, and forwarding it to the Office. May God help us all in this good work.

JAMES WHITE.