p. 284 | THE WORK IN MINNESOTA by Ole Andres Olsen

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Michigan · May 5, 1885

FromThe Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, Vol. 62, No. 18

THE WORK IN MINNESOTA.

By Ole Andres Olsen

The workers in Minnesota have not been inactive during the past winter, nor is the work here stationary. The labor that has been put forth has been blessed in the conversion of souls and the building up of the work. Members have been added to our churches, the cause has been strengthened, and interests awakened in new places afford encouraging reports. The efforts that have been made in canvassing and colporting have also met with encouraging success. Our greatest difficulty is to supply the great demands for labor in all directions.

As is generally known, the tract society headquarters have been moved to Minneapolis. It was evident that this location would better meet the minds of all our people in the State than any other. We have been putting up a small building for the depository, which is now nearly completed; and in a few days we shall have our books arranged therein. This building is located at 2,820 Nicollet avenue. We shall be glad to have our brethren, when passing through the city, stop and see our location; and as we shall keep on hand a full assortment of all our publications, also stationery and Sabbath-school supplies, we hope our brethren who may call on us, will come prepared to take supplies back to their churches and their homes.

We are glad to report encouragement in the work at Minneapolis. The Sabbath meetings and Sabbath-school are seasons of interest. The canvassers who have labored in the city during the past winter have had much encouragement; and it is evident that many people here are deeply interested in the investigation of the truth. Almost every Sabbath, some new faces are seen in our meeting.

As before intimated, the greatest difficulty we see is to follow up the interest and the work which opens in every direction. Laborers are called for in every branch of the cause; but in order to sustain these laborers, there must be a corresponding amount of means brought into God’s treasury. This is a most serious matter, and should be carefully considered by every lover of present truth. I was thankful for the book on the tithing system that has recently been sent to all our churches. We now have this book on hand at the depository. If all those who have not received it will please write to us, we will supply them with the work at ten cents per copy. Address Mary Heileson, Box 1,076, Minneapolis, Minn. We urge every one to get this book and study it carefully.

There never was a period in the history of the work in this State when we were so much in need of the special blessing of God. And I most sincerely believe that it is not only by praying for the blessing that we shall obtain it, but by bringing our tithes into God’s store-house, thus proving the Lord; and we shall surely find him true to his word. Mal. 3: 10, 11. The Macedonian cry is coming from every direction. Dear brethren and sisters, shall we respond to these earnest calls by consecrating ourselves and our means to the cause of God as never before? Not only should our tithe be conscientiously paid, but we should not be forgetful of our offerings. The tract and missionary work calls upon your liberalities. In investigating the labor and the accounts of the different districts and societies, we see many things that are encouraging and commendable. But much missionary work cannot be done without means. Clubs of papers are indispensable to this work; but of course the publishing houses cannot produce them except they are paid for. Of books and tracts the same is true. That this good work may be encouraged and prospered, it is absolutely necessary that donations be made to the society.

We are sometimes almost tired at the idea that the cause of truth needs so much means. But if we look at the matter from the stand-point of the salvation of souls, and the Judgment, it is one of the greatest privileges offered to us in life, to contribute of our means to this glorious work. We believe that time is short. In the light of this fact, for what purpose are our means or earthly possessions, only as they can be used in the service of God to the salvation of souls? What a privilege, then, that we may use our means for such objects, rather than to gather them up and have them on hand only to be burned in the great conflagration of the day of God? We hope that every one will feel an individual responsibility in these matters. Do not think it means somebody else. It means you, dear reader. Let us pray, and labor as we pray, for the advancement of the precious cause of God in our State; and the Lord will be glorified in our salvation. O. A. OLSEN.