Address to the Missionary Workers
55
this love in your labor, than by presenting the strongest arguments.
But the two should be combined. There are many who are in darkness;
and when the truth, which involves a cross, is presented, they draw
back, as did Nathanael. If by kindness and love these can be prevailed
upon to trace down the chain of prophecy, they will, as they find link
after link uniting in a perfect whole, see new beauty and harmony in
the word of God; and the more they study it, the more precious it will
become to them.
“But,” says one, “suppose we cannot gain admittance to the homes
of the people; and if we do, suppose they rise up against the truths
that we present. Shall we not then feel excused from making further
efforts for them?” By no means. Even if they shut the door in your
face, do not hasten away in indignation, and make no further effort to
save them. Ask God in faith to give you access to those very souls.
Cease not your efforts; but study and plan until you find some other
means of reaching them. If you do not succeed by personal visits, try
sending them the silent messenger of truth. There is so much pride of
opinion in the human heart that our publications often gain admittance
where the living messenger cannot.
I have been shown how reading matter on present truth is some-
times treated by many people in Europe and in other countries. A
person receives a tract or paper. He reads a little in it, finds something
that does not agree with his former views, and throws it aside. But the
few words he did read are not forgotten. Unwelcome though they are,
they remain in the mind until an interest is awakened to read further
on the subject. Again the paper is taken up; again the reader finds
something in it that is opposed to his long-cherished opinions and
customs, and he angrily flings it aside. But the rejected messenger says
nothing to increase his opposition or arouse his combativeness; and
when the force of his anger dies away, and the paper is again brought
out, it tells the same simple, straightforward story, and he finds in
it precious gems. Angels of God are near to impress the unspoken
word upon his heart; and, although loath to do so, he at last yields,
and light takes possession of his soul. Those who are thus unwillingly
converted, often prove to be among the most substantial believers; and
their experience teaches them to labor perseveringly for others.
The Piedmont valleys have been mentioned. I have been shown
the poverty that exists there; and yet in these valleys there are some
[151]