Books and Tracts
631
The view was given to correct those who at such meetings so far came
down from the dignity of their work as to spread out before the crowd
merchandise which had no connection with the work.
Our ministers who enjoy a comfortable state of health may, with the
greatest propriety, engage at proper times in the sale of our important
publications. Especially do the sale and circulation of such works
as have recently been urged upon the attention of our people, claim
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vigorous efforts for them at this time. In four weeks, on our tour in the
counties of Gratiot, Saginaw, and Tuscola, my husband sold, and gave
to the poor, four hundred dollars’ worth. He first set the importance of
the books before the people; then they were ready to take them as fast
as he, with several to help him, could wait upon them.
Why do not our brethren send in their pledges on the book and
tract fund more liberally? And why do not our ministers take hold of
this work in earnest? Our people should see that these works are just
what is needed to help those who need help. Here is a chance to invest
means according to the blessed plan of liberality. We can sometimes
read men nearly as plainly as we read books. There are those among
us who put from one hundred to one thousand dollars or more into
the Health Institute, who have pledged only from five to twenty-five
dollars in the great enterprise of publishing books, pamphlets, and
tracts, setting forth truths which have to do with eternal life. One was
supposed to be a paying investment. The other, as we might judge
from the littleness of the pledges, is supposed to be a dead loss.
We shall not hold our peace upon this subject. Our people will
come up to the work. The means will come. And we would say
to those who are poor and want books: Send in your orders, with a
statement of your condition as to this world’s goods. We will send you
a package of books containing four volumes of Spiritual Gifts, How to
Live, Appeal to Youth, Appeal to Mothers, Sabbath Readings, and the
two large charts, with Key of Explanation. If you have a part of these,
state what you have, and we will send other books in their places, or
send only such of these as you have not. Send fifty cents to pay the
postage, and we will send you the five-dollar package and charge the
fund four dollars. [
See Appendix.
]
In this charitable book matter, all must act upon the great plan
of liberality, such as is carried out in the publication and sale of the
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American Bibles and tracts. In many respects the course of these