Below we give a few extracts from the many letters which are received from different countries, where the light of present truth has been carried by means of tracts and papers sent by the V. M. Societies. Dr. Ribton, of Naples, Italy, writes to South Lancaster:—
“I read with great pleasure your kind letter; indeed, the greatest consolation I have in this life, next to communion with our Master, lies in the correspondence I have with his people. The word of Christ has ever been precious to me, especially of late years, when circumstances have brought me nearer to him; but I can now indorse the words which I read in one of the Adventist papers, and say that the knowledge of the things that are shortly to come to pass has made the Bible a new book to me. In fact, I began to study it over again, and hundreds of passages became clear to me, the meaning of which I had long sought in vain; passages that are read and quoted from many a pulpit without a ray of light being thrown on their true meaning. I have tasted the blessing of those that hear the word of the prophecy, despised by so many, and keep the things that are written therein.”
“I hunger and thirst after God’s work. I have but one desire,—to devote time, pen, and voice to the proclamation of God’s warning message. I see appeals in papers for preachers, and I say to God, ‘Send me.’ I am best fitted for working in this country, but rather than lose time, as I am now doing, I would go to any warm climate where there was a field for labor. The Sabbath and John’s vision have cut me off from all religious communities except the Seventh-day churches, and shown me that the greatest work to be done in the little time now remaining, is to proclaim reform in the midst of reformers themselves. But here I have to labor daily for the meat that perisheth, and in this most impoverished country, a life of continual toil hardly suffices to supply common necessaries. Day after day rolls into the past, and there is no work done for the angels to record. A service of praise in my own family, a few tracts sent out, a few words with a friend when an opportunity presents itself, that is all. I want to have ten talents for my Master when he comes, and ask him daily to open me a door. And this I feel sure he will do; but life is short, his coming is near, and I want to be at work soon. At present I have nothing but my daily labor. I hope to be better off some day, and give all I have to the work of the third angel’s message.”
“This is a sad country for a missionary to work in. There are a few who refuse to bow the knee to Baal, and these are precious in God’s eyes. Five friends have accepted God’s Sabbath, and when the Lord gives me more time, I hope to bring forward others. I have received pressing invitations to go and preach in three places, but am powerless. What an account will the rich have to render of the thousands they spend upon empty pleasures, while numbers are perishing for want of spiritual food.”
A gentleman writing from England refers to a correspondence with a friend in this country, and says:—
“Among other results it made me acquainted with the S. D. Adventists’ views and publications; and their clear statements of truth were very refreshing, and helped to mature my views on several subjects, viz., life in Christ only, death, immortality, the Sabbath, and the second coming of Christ. These subjects have been more or less agitated here for some time past, and more particularly of late. I will scatter the SIGNS sent, and also REFORMER, but cannot afford to take them now, as my income is very limited.”
A lady from London, England, writes:—
“My object in writing is to ask you to send me, when convenient, THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES, and I should be glad to know also the price of the HEALTH REFORMER, both of which journals have been kindly loaned me by a friend. I shall hope to receive the SIGNS soon, and when I learn the price will forward the money.”
Another lady, of Belle Plaine, Iowa, in a letter to a friend in Armada, Mich., who had been sending her tracts and papers, says:—
“I cannot find language to express my gratitude and love to you, for your kindness and interest in my spiritual welfare. May our Father bless and reward you, is my sincere wish and prayer. So far from feeling offended at anything you wrote me, I acknowledge the truth and justice of your remarks. I am, in faith, an Adventist, and I intend to try in future to be one in practice, as far as I am able, though I never knew till now how weak I am. You do not know what a trial it is for me to go all alone in this new Sabbath-keeping. My husband will not join me, but does not try to control my actions in the least. My desire is to do what is right and well pleasing in the sight of my Master. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. I desire you to pray for me that I may be strengthened, and that my faith fail not. I had a letter a short time since from my sister in Kentucky. She wrote that she had received some papers from you. She seems to be interested in them; says she can find no objection to their teachings, but thinks the Adventists seem to follow the Scriptures. This is what every one says about them. My sister says she likes the SIGNS so well she wishes she could get the paper all the time. I should think every one would like the paper, for I think it a little gem.”
Many cordial letters are received from the warm-hearted colored people in the Southern field. One minister in North Carolina, who had received a few numbers of the SIGNS, writes:—
“I am very highly pleased with such reading matter as I find in the SIGNS OF THE TIMES; and I see many books advertised in the SIGNS on such subjects that I want, not only the SIGNS, but also those books and pamphlets advertised in it, but have not the money to pay for them. I am all the time traveling and preaching among thousands of my people, and they always look for some book, paper, or tract. If you send them, I can distribute thousands to great advantage. I feel that God has heard, and is now about to answer, my long continued and incessant prayers for help of this kind. I was born and brought up in slavery, and emancipated in 1865; got my learning, or much of it, in the dark days of slavery and oppression, by the fireside, when all on the plantation were asleep. I have worked hard all day, and then studied all night many a time. For seven years past I have been traveling, and trying to preach the gospel of Christ. I am going on preaching and pursuing my studies, and do earnestly desire to grow up into the full measure and stature of a man in Christ and in the pulpit.”
Another writes:—
“Your books and papers are most gratefully accepted. The sermons in those tracts are worth any one’s reading. You ask if I will read your paper if you send it to me. I will, and will thank you for them, and if I can, will send you some subscribers. I will in the future ask you some questions concerning your doctrines.”
One man writing from Alabama says:—
“I am thankful, yea, more than thankful, to feel that we have friends North who are willing to take an interest in the welfare of the colored race. The SIGNS and HERALD come to me regularly. I am just as proud of them as any one could be. I feel as though they were God-sent blessings.”
Another writes from North Carolina:—
“I have been reading your papers with great care, and my dear wife, who is unconverted, seems to take great delight in them. I do think if she had more of them they would cause her to think more about her soul. I wish I was able to take the paper. Many of my friends hope to take it after a while.”
Another from W. Virginia says:—
“I have been praying that the Lord would open the way through which I might get some good reading matter, and I feel that my prayers are being heard and answered. They are good religious papers, but I am so situated I am not able to pay for them. My church is hardly able to rent my house. I would have left here long since, but when I think of the condition of my people I forget my own condition, and am willing to spend and be spent for them. I am glad of any reading matter you will send, if it is old books, tracts, or papers.”
Many calls for publications are received where the individuals, under the pressure of hard times, are unable to pay; yet they hunger and thirst for light and knowledge. The rapidly whitening fields demand toil and sacrifice. Who will enlist in this work and “gather fruit unto life eternal”? Ass’t Sec. of N. E. Tract Society.
ORDER IN CANVASSING.
By W. C. White
Much greater results will be obtained from the same amount of labor expended in the missionary work, if there is a well-defined plan laid out in each district, and if some order is observed in the work of canvassing. To avoid pressure by an accumulation of work, everything should be done in its proper time. Persons should be appointed to take the direct charge of canvassing certain towns or parts of towns, and thus avoid the confusion that would otherwise arise by having several parties called upon several times with the same document.
To accomplish what we wish by Feb. 1, 1878, every member of the society should enter upon the work immediately. It is impossible to lay out a definite plan which will suit every locality; but each State and each district even should lay out a plan of labor for the next three months and enter immediately upon it.
We might suggest, 1. That the remaining weeks of October cannot be better improved than by obtaining subscribers for the SIGNS OF THE TIMES, using the WAY OF LIFE as premium; 2. That the chief work during November and December will be to circulate 200,000 copies of the Health Annual; 3. That in December the children should be encouraged to make an extensive canvass with the YOUTH'S INSTRUCTOR, Golden Grains, and Sunshine Series; 4. That the whole field, especially those sections where the Annual has been introduced, should be thoroughly canvassed during January and February with the HEALTH REFORMER and the SIGNS OF THE TIMES.
In conclusion, we use the words of Eld. Loughborough, “Don’t enter upon the T. and M. work with the idea that you are simply going over the ground once, but that you are going to form friendly acquaintances, and continue missionary work in the same field. If you enter the work humbly, in the fear of God, with a desire to do good, you will find work accumulating on your hands every time you go over your district. So let us labor, and may the Lord help, and bless all our efforts.”
W. C. WHITE.
GREAT INDUCEMENT TO CANVASSERS FOR THE HEALTH REFORMER.
THE publishers of the HEALTH REFORMER have prepared a new and greatly improved edition of the little work printed two years ago, entitled, “Household Manual.” The chief object of this publication is to encourage the circulation of the HEALTH REFORMER, the book being used as a premium with the REFORMER by agents of the Tract Society.
The work is full of brief, but plain, concise, and practical hints respecting the care of the health, the avoidance of disease, and directions for the home treatment of common maladies. It also contains numerous useful recipes, together with full directions what to do in emergencies of all sorts, such as drowning, burning, poisoning, hemorrhage, and similar accidents. It is a work which will be almost invaluable in any family, and will be a very attractive inducement to subscribe for the journal. The general sale of the work will not be urged, as it has been prepared expressly for the missionary canvassing work.
In order to encourage missionary workers to take hold of this matter with enthusiasm, the publishers of the HEALTH REFORMER make the very generous offer to supply the “Manual” at less than the actual cost of the work. It is neatly bound, is printed on good paper, and presents a very pleasing appearance. The retail price is 75 cents a copy. It will be furnished to societies in quantities of 500 and upwards at 20 cents a copy, which is considerably below the actual cost of the book. This offer is made only for the present, and it should be improved at once. New England has already ordered 1,000. It is important that orders should be sent in as soon as possible, as the work is now in press and it is very desirable to know how many will be wanted. Without doubt New York, Wisconsin, and Iowa could manage 1,000 copies each, profitably. Michigan will probably need double that number; while smaller societies will require quantities varying from 200 to 500 or more.
Every effort is being made to get the books through as soon as possible, and they will be ready by Nov. 1. Orders should be sent in at once. Presidents and directors of T. and M. Societies should give this matter their prompt attention, as much of the success of the season’s work will depend upon the promptness with which the work is entered upon.
THE SIGNS PROSPECTUS.
By W. C. White
A GOOD prospectus, properly used, will be a great help in securing subscribers to the SIGNS OF THE TIMES. We have a carefully prepared prospectus for 1878 which we furnish free to the T. and M. Societies on application. To add to the interest of the prospectus and to secure its preservation we have had Eld. Smith’s article, “The Eastern Question,” as it appeared in the SIGNS of May 3, 1877, printed upon the back of the prospectus. The value of this article alone is worth the expense and trouble of circulating the prospectus.
They should be judiciously used by those selling Annuals, especially should those who intend to canvass the ground thoroughly for SIGNS subscribers, secure a sufficient number of prospectuses and leave them with such families as they think will notice them. Probably the best way to leave them is to fold and slip them into an Annual or some other publication which they have sold or loaned.
Another way to use the prospectus is to slip it into a SIGNS, where you have sent several to one person and think he might subscribe. In no case should the prospectus be allowed to take the place of written letters.
Let the district secretaries of California address the “SIGNS OF THE TIMES,” Oakland, and the district secretaries of Michigan, and State secretaries of other States, address, REVIEW AND HERALD, Battle Creek, Mich., and their orders will be filled at once.
W. C. WHITE.
Health and Temperance Tracts.
CANVASSERS who engage in selling the HEALTH ANNUAL and in obtaining subscribers for the REFORMER and the SIGNS should not forget that great good may be done by the judicious distribution at the same time of the smaller tracts upon health and temperance. No one can justly estimate the amount of good which may be accomplished by a single tract. Such tracts as “Alcoholic Poison,” “True Temperance,” “The Drunkard’s Arguments Answered,” “Pork,” and “Twenty-five Arguments for Tobacco-Using briefly Answered,” may be distributed in large numbers at a very small expense. These tracts are furnished to T. and M. Societies at a price barely above cost, and ought to be scattered widely. A series of small leaflets which will be admirably adapted to this work are in course of preparation, and will be ready soon.
Prospectus of the Health Reformer.
The publishers of the HEALTH REFORMER will furnish free of charge to T. and M. Societies, small sheets bearing upon one side a prospectus of the REFORMER and upon the other brief hints upon some subjects closely related to health or temperance. Every society ought to have a few hundred copies for general distribution. A sample slip is inclosed with this sheet.
How Can 200,000 Annuals be Disposed of by the Tract Societies?
By S. N. Haskell
EVERY company of Seventh-day Adventists should be supplied with them, and properly instructed how to dispose of them. This can be done in the following manner: Ministers who co-operate with the Tract Society, and the directors of each district in the country, should at once visit each company in their respective districts and supply them with Annuals. Children also should be interested in selling them. Thousands can thus be sold. Those living by themselves can do much in disposing of them. In the above manner cities, villages, and neighborhoods everywhere should be canvassed.
That no Tract Society become involved, we suggest that every family take one, and pay ten cents for it. This will help pay the cost of those given away. Let every church pay for the Annuals taken of the Tract Society, at 5 cents each. This will not only pay for them, but will give that church a small credit which will keep their fund more than good for other uses in the tract work. Send one or more to your friends, far and near, wherever the English language is spoken. S. N. HASKELL.
How Shall we sell the Way of Life?
By Editor
ALWAYS for one dollar and nothing less. The price of the REFORMER alone is one dollar. But to obtain new subscribers for the REFORMER, the Way of Life, Uses of Water, and Sunshine Series, are clubbed with it for the price of the REFORMER alone—one dollar. These premiums are clubbed with the SIGNS OF THE TIMES for two dollars. When you send the SIGNS to your friends without a premium it is $1.50. When you send the REFORMER to your friends it is 60 cents.
Those unacquainted with our views can have the premium with the SIGNS and REFORMER for the price that the brethren pay for them without the premiums. The Association could not afford these liberal offers were it not for the patronage of our brethren at full price. The justness of this must be seen by every one, and be appreciated by every Seventh-day Adventist who has any love for the cause of God and any desire for his neighbors to read on present truth.
Webster and the Backwoodsman's Anecdote
—It is related of Mr. Webster that he was once accosted by a backwoodsman, who asked, “Is this Mr. Webster?” “Yes, sir.” “The great Mr. Webster of Massachusetts?” “I am that same Mr. Webster of Massachusetts.” “Well, sir, I heard that you were a great man,” quoth the stranger, “but I don’t think so; I heard your speech, and understood every word you said.”