District No. 4, Minnesota: Missionary Work and Librarians
By Hattie E. Harris
I AM deeply interested to see the cause prosper in this district. This is a large district, comprising several counties; but with one exception there is only one society in each county. There are doubtless many here who have never heard the sound of the third angel’s message. And for this reason earnest labor should be performed by the librarians and missionary workers. There is plenty of room for all to work. The first quarter of this year has already closed, and the second quarter is swiftly passing. Shall we not redeem the time which may have been wasted in the past, by doubling our diligence and laboring more earnestly and unselfishly the remainder of this new year? It has been said that this might be the most favorable year we would have in which to work. If this be the case, how great the responsibility resting upon us as laborers in the Master’s vineyard to improve every opportunity given us to place the truth before our fellow-men! Our means for disseminating the light of present truth surely are not limited. The Signs is furnished at very reasonable club rates; and our publications in the form of books, tracts, and pamphlets, are both numerous and easily obtained. To the librarians and all workers here in the district, I would say that we have a large supply of our denominational publications in the district depository, as well as other interesting works, which it would be well to place before our young people. These will be furnished to all the workers at the same discount at which you can get them at the State office. They are paid for, and the workers should use them instead of getting publications at the State office, thus causing the district to run in debt while these publications which are paid for are lying idle. It does not take as long to make a debt as to pay one. We are very anxious to see the district in all respects placed on a firm financial basis; and if one and all labor unitedly with this object in view, we shall soon see this accomplished. Then it is that we shall be able to do much more in the cause than we can now. We hope and expect to see the interest in the missionary work increase all through the district during the coming quarter. There is a responsibility resting upon the librarians, and there is much for them to do in their respective societies to increase the interest and enlarge the work. How important that we improve the present time, for our Saviour says, “The night cometh when no man can work.” Never did these words apply more forcibly than they do at the present to our time and our work. Shall we not heed the divine command? that when Jesus comes we may hear from his lips the welcome applaudit, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things; enter thou into the joy of thy lord.”