Items of Interest by H. E. Sawyer

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

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

Items of Interest.

By H. E. Sawyer

BY H. E. SAWYER.

The following is an extract from a letter received from a gentleman on Long Island. May it arouse others to do what they can in circulating Good Health and our temperance tracts. He says:—

“I received your letter, also a copy of Good Health, with temperance tracts, all of which were highly appreciated by me and others; for I have sent them over the place where they will do good, and I trust prove a blessing. I do not know as there was ever a copy of Good Health in this place before. I would like to become a subscriber. It is just what we need.

“In this village we are saturated with tobacco. No rum is sold here in public, but nearly all are slaves to tobacco. I believe it is doing more evil than rum in this country, because so many professing Christians are using it and leading the young into the snare. Please send me the strongest arguments you have in opposition to tobacco.

“I have but few with me in this work. It makes one unpopular oftentimes to stand alone and oppose popular sins, especially in the church, but I must do it.

“I am about to start an anti-tobacco society. I have always been opposed to such an institution, because it seems like taking the work out of the hands of the church. The church ought to be free from such pollutions; but if they will continue to live in a backslidden state, then members who know their duty must come ‘to the help of the Lord against the mighty.’ I do not believe the Lord looks with approbation on a dead church; for he has said in his word, ‘Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might.’

“About the time you sent me a copy of Good Health, I received one from M. E. Cook, containing an article which opened with this expression, ‘Tobacco is one of the feet on which drunkenness rests.’ Now, if this statement is true (and I believe it is), ought not every Christian to see it, and do all he can to remove anything that fosters intemperance?”

A little later I received another letter from the same gentleman. I had sent him some anti-tobacco tracts, and this is the way he speaks of them:—

“These tracts are grand. I have handed them to numbers in this place, and they have been read. The ‘Arguments on Tobacco’ are good. Please send me about twenty copies, and any others you please, all on tobacco. There is not much need of any on alcohol at present. Of course some drink it, but they are very shy about it. I find the leaflets very handy for distribution. Send me as many as you can for one dollar, and I will endeavor to place them where they will do good.

“It is hard for the people to see that tea is an evil, but the time will come when Christians will not use it. I ask them, ‘Why do you spend money for that which is not bread?’

“Find inclosed $2.00, one for Good Health and the other for tracts on tobacco.”

Last summer, while looking over a paper for names, I found in the children’s department an interesting letter from a little girl who mentioned the name of an excellent teacher. I took it, and began sending specimen copies of the Signs. I introduced myself by letter, and found her to be a Christian lady. I have received many letters from her, and will take extracts from them for the benefit of the readers of the REVIEW. In reference to the Signs, she says:—

“I thank you kindly for the papers. I am much interested in all that pertains to Christ and his kingdom,—its advancement here and its glory beyond. I highly appreciate your kindness in sending me the Annual. I would be glad of any reading matter on such an important subject as that of temperance.”

Still later, she writes:—

“The last paper [the Signs] I found exceedingly interesting. Nothing would please me more than to subscribe for that excellent paper and Good Health. As I give oral lessons every Sabbath on different subjects, I will inclose an analysis of one taken from Mrs. E. G. White’s article in the Signs, entitled, ‘Joseph in Egypt.’

“I consider the College Record a beautiful index of the College. That its liberal ideas and refining influence may rapidly extend over the whole country, is the desire of your humble friend. Please send me a circular of your College, as I wish to know what is required of those who wish to attend.”

Thus far, I have tried to avoid writing much on the subject of our faith. I expressed a few thoughts on the

Sabbath question, and in her next she requested me to be free in giving my views in reference to it. She gave a few of her own ideas, and added:—

“If I am wrong, I hope our Heavenly Father will enlighten me. If I have displeased you, forgive me; you know how much early training and habit can do in shaping creeds, etc. What I want, is truth; what I desire, is to do God’s will; what I desire to attain, is Heaven.”

An extract from her last letter has the right ring to it. She says:—

“Concerning the Sabbath question, I would say that your arguments are strong, forcible, and to the point. I confess that I have never viewed the subject in that light, and while I acknowledge all you say to be true, I would that you bear with me, when I tell you that as regards the observance of the seventh day, I see as through a glass darkly. Ever since my conversion, about seven years ago, I have been in the habit of confiding my most trifling cares and sorrows to Him who is able to keep that which we commit to him; and as it is impossible for me to go astray under the ‘Guide of the universe,’ I feel that my doctrinal views, as well as my daily path, will be directed aright. Do you not think so? Pray for me, dear friend, that I may be led into all truth.

“Good Health is a first-class journal. I shall send you the subscription price for the year as soon as I get to C—. I hope, if it is God’s will, to be able to attend your College. I have a great thirst for knowledge, and I trust that the way may open for me to satisfy it.”