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Testimonies for the Church Volume 4
the attention from the light God has so graciously given, while books
and periodicals containing error are traveling all over the country.
Skepticism and infidelity are increasing everywhere. Light so precious,
coming from the throne of God, is hid under a bushel. God will make
His people responsible for this neglect. An account must be rendered to
Him for every ray of light He has let shine upon our pathway, whether
it has been improved to our advancement in divine things or rejected
because it was more agreeable to follow inclination.
We now have great facilities for spreading the truth; but our people
are not coming up to the privileges given them. They do not in every
church see and feel the necessity of using their abilities in saving souls.
They do not realize their duty to obtain subscribers for our periodicals,
including our health journal, and to introduce our books and pamphlets.
Men should be at work who are willing to be taught as to the best way
of approaching individuals and families. Their dress should be neat,
but not foppish, and their manners such as not to disgust the people.
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There is a great want of true politeness among us as a people. This
should be cultivated by all who take hold of the missionary work.
Our publishing houses should show marked prosperity. Our people
can sustain them if they will show a decided interest to work our
publications into the market. But should as little interest be manifested
in the year to come as has been shown in the year past, there will
be but a small margin to work upon. The wider the circulation of
our publications, the greater will be the demand for books that make
plain the Scriptures of truth. Many are becoming disgusted with the
inconsistencies, the errors, and the apostasy of the churches, and with
the festivals, fairs, lotteries, and numerous inventions to extort money
for church purposes. There are many who are seeking for light in
the darkness. If our papers, tracts, and books, expressing the truth in
plain Bible language, could be widely circulated, many would find
that they are just what they want. But many of our brethren act as
though the people were to come to them or send to our offices to obtain
publications, when thousands do not know that they exist.
God calls upon His people to act like living men and not to be
indolent, sluggish, and indifferent. We must carry the publications
to the people and urge them to accept, showing them that they will
receive much more than their money’s worth. Exalt the value of the
books you offer. You cannot regard them too highly.