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A WORD TO THE INTERESTED

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Seventh-Day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Thursday, June 24, 1880

FromAdvent Review and Sabbath Herald, Vol. 56, No. 1

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A WORD TO THE INTERESTED.

By Mrs. H. T. H. Sanborn

BY MRS. H. T. H. SANBORN.
Last December I was suddenly called from the South on account of sickness at home. As many of the readers of the REVIEW have manifested a substantial interest in the V. M. work for Virginia, I have felt many times that they ought to know that, although duty still requires my presence at home, the writer’s share of the work receives attention, and I feel thankful that there is work for isolated lovers of the third angel’s message. My strength fails at times, and the pen lies silent, when a heart full of desire to work aches to see the work accumulating beyond power to perform. But the prayer still arises for help that the work may not be done negligently.
Soon after I came North my club of Signs was raised to fifty-seven copies. Will the REVIEW please bear my heartiest thanks to the unknown friend? Missionaries, whose field of labor can hardly as yet be considered self-sustaining, appreciate such helps, and are melted in gratitude to God. I will gladly use all the Signs the Lord sends, and I believe the way will always be open to pay postage on the large correspondence. Of the fifty-seven to whom I send reading matter, a goodly number are interested readers.
A lady in Parkersburg, West Virginia, writes:—
“I have received the Signs of the Times for some time. Am very well pleased with it. I carefully read each number, and lend it to others. Would like to still have the pleasure of reading it. Many thanks for your kindness.”
A minister writes:—
“Your paper has been received, and I have welcomed it cordially, perusing it each week with interest. I will cheerfully do so as long as it is sent to me.”
A lady in Baltimore says:—
“I am very much obliged to you for the trouble you have taken in sending me the Signs of the Times, and I wish to have it continued if it is convenient for you to do so. Have received the papers regularly since you have been sending, and I read them diligently. The more I read, the better I like them; and after I have read, I loan them to others. We all think it a beautiful paper, and unite in thanking you for your kindness in sending it to us.”
A postmaster in Roane Co., W. Va., replies:—
“I received yours, inquiring if I receive the Signs of the Times and wish it continued. I would say, I am grateful to you for sending the paper. I like it very much, and wish it continued. The day I received yours I had just loaned all the papers that I had (put together in a book). I intend them to go all around to my neighbors. I think that God had them directed to me. I should like to hear from you again.”
The same person writes later:—
“In reply to your question I would say, Although I never heard the Sabbath question discussed, I always thought that, as far as I could see, the seventh day should be the day to keep. But as there are no seventh-day people here, the subject never comes up. I believe I have heard more said about it since I have been reading the Signs than I ever heard before.”
He writes a long letter, giving his views, and making an urgent request for the living preacher. Also sends names for the Signs.
From a third letter, received last evening, I give the following extract:—
“Was pleased to hear from you, and that Eld. —— expects to come to Roane county. I see the papers passing through my post-office, sent to the persons whose names I sent you. I have seen Mrs. —— since. She is highly pleased with the Signs. She is an Adventist, and a good scholar. Was brought up in Lowell, Mass. Her husband is a Universalist. Have not seen Eld. —— since, but I understand he has become a seventh-day Sabbath-keeper. Since the Signs has been read here it has set the people to talking and consulting with each other a great deal. The Signs is liked by all that read it. I was glad to hear you wished me to send you more names. I will freely do so, and the people would be pleased to read the paper. I hope to hear from you often.”
Why should V. M. workers become discouraged when such results can be realized in a few weeks? True, many do not accept our periodicals, but all must be warned. We are in the gleaning time. The few must be gathered. Let us toil on.
A Seventh-day Baptist minister in West Virginia says:—
“We read the Signs with interest, and hand to others, who speak favorably of the truths contained in them. I have been hindered some in the investigation of the doctrines set forth in your tracts, by being pressed with other labors. A few days ago a United Brethren minister came to visit me, and we investigated a tract you sent me concerning the end of the wicked, by Eld. D. M. Canright. The minister admitted that Eld. C. was a clear writer, and brought strong evidence in favor of his position, and he so penned me up that I could not escape. I am searching the Bible for information on this subject. I think I have come to the point where I am willing to be sanctified by the truth. To be honest about it, it seems to me that the soul will sleep till the resurrection, when the righteous shall go into eternal enjoyment, and the wicked shall be consumed as the fat of lambs. I do not wish to be carried about by every wind of doctrine, for it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace. I wish by the light of God’s word and Spirit to examine these doctrines more thoroughly before taking a decided stand, or teaching them extensively. A member of our church reads and is thoroughly convinced on the tithing system. He believes it to be his duty to pay the tenth of his income to the Lord, and has been trying hard to convince his brethren that this is their duty also.”
Thus the leaven is working, and noble, intelligent minds are exercised on these great truths. Other extracts might be given; but time flies apace, and other duties press. May our hearts be inspired anew with the spirit of this great work, and our hands be busily engaged in sowing the good seed, leaving results with the Lord of the harvest. Thus employed, we shall find no time to listen to the tempter’s allurements, and each day’s record will be more satisfactory. Oh! who shall stand the test!
Letters are still occasionally forwarded from Mt. Jackson, Va. Correspondents will please remember that my address is now North Scituate, R. I., Box 26.