Chapter 38—Circulating the Printed Pag
Several speakers had addressed large and attentive congregations
at the camp meeting at Rome, New York, on first-day, September
12, 1875. The following night I dreamed that a young man of noble
appearance came into the room where I was, immediately after I had
been speaking. He said:
“You have called the attention of the people to important subjects,
which, to a large number, are strange and new. To some they are
intensely interesting. The laborers in word and doctrine have done
what they could in presenting the truth. But unless there is a more
thorough effort made to fasten these impressions upon minds, your
efforts will prove nearly fruitless. Satan has many attractions ready
to divert the mind; and the cares of this life and the deceitfulness of
riches all combine to choke the seed of truth sown in the heart.
“In every effort such as you are now making, much more good
would result from your labors if you had appropriate reading matter
ready for circulation. Tracts upon the important points of truth for the
present time should be handed out freely to all who will accept them.
You are to sow beside all waters.
“The press is a powerful means to move the minds and hearts of
the people. The men of this world seize the press, and make the most
of every opportunity to get poisonous literature before the people. If
men under the influence of the spirit of the world and of Satan, are
earnest to circulate books, tracts, and papers of a corrupting nature,
you should be more earnest to get reading matter of an elevating and
saving character before the people.
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“God has placed at the command of His people advantages in the
press, which, combined with other agencies, will be successful in
extending the knowledge of the truth. Tracts, papers, and books, as
the case demands, should be circulated in all the cities and villages in
the land. Here is missionary work for all.
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These words of counsel regarding the circulation of literature were among the first
calling for trained colporteur-evangelists.
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