Chapter 40—An Unprecedented Harvest
A Harvest of Precious Souls—I have been shown that the pub-
lications already have been doing a work upon some minds in other
countries, in breaking down the walls of prejudice and superstition.
[
Our earliest missionaries were sent abroad to indoctrinate and further
instruct honest seekers for truth who first learned about the Sabbath,
the second advent, et cetera, by reading Seventh-day Adventist tracts
and books. Thus our literature work was in many places the opening
wedge to prepare the way for the establishment of local churches and
mission stations.
] I was shown men and women studying with intense
interest papers and a few pages of tracts upon present truth. They
would read the evidences so wonderful and new to them, and would
open their Bibles with a deep and new interest, as subjects of truth that
had been dark to them were made plain, especially the light in regard
to the Sabbath of the fourth commandment. As they searched the
Scriptures to see if these things were so, a new light shone upon their
understanding, for angels were hovering over them, and impressing
their minds with the truths contained in the publications they had been
reading.
I saw them holding papers or tracts in one hand, and the Bible in
the other, while their cheeks were wet with tears; and bowing before
God in earnest, humble prayer, to be guided into all truth—the very
thing He was doing for them before they called upon Him. And when
the truth was received in their hearts, and they saw the harmonious
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chain of truth, the Bible was to them a new book; they hugged it to
their hearts with grateful joy, while their countenances were all aglow
with happiness and holy joy.
These were not satisfied with merely enjoying the light themselves,
and they began to work for others. Some made great sacrifices for the
truth’s sake and to help those of the brethren who were in darkness.
The way is thus preparing to do a great work in the distribution of tracts
and papers in other languages.—
Life Sketches of Ellen G. White, 214,
215
.
340