298
The Publishing Ministry
but which they were unable to pay. In most instances urgent calls
[344]
for means have left a wrong impression upon some minds. Some
have thought that money was the burden of our message. Many have
gone to their homes blessed because they had donated to the cause
of God. But there are better methods of raising means, by freewill
offerings, than by urgent calls at our large gatherings. If all come up
to the plan of systematic benevolence, and if our tract and missionary
workers are faithful in their department of the work, the treasury will
be well supplied without these urgent calls at our large gatherings.—
Testimonies for the Church 3:510
.
Sowing Beside All Waters—Our literature is to be distributed
everywhere. The truth is to be sown beside all waters; for we know not
which shall prosper, this or that. In our erring judgment we may think
it unwise to give literature to the very ones who would accept the truth
most readily. We know not what may be the good results of giving
away a leaflet containing present truth.—
Christian Service, 153
.
Books Given to Community Leaders—I gave the mayor the best
bound volume of Desire of Ages; and the Kerr brothers, three in num-
ber, each have one of my books and can interchange one with another;
and I have placed my books into the hands of several others. This, I
think, is the very best way I can leave with them the light God has
given me. This has been all along under the direction of God. A gift
in this line is letting the light shine forth in many families, and the
message is appealing to the whole family.—
Letter 218, 1899
.
Books Donated to Institutions Encouraged—We can use the
small volumes of Sabbath Readings and other works to good advantage
in orphans’ homes and in many other places where these little books
will be highly valued. We could use some of them in the Soldiers’
Home at Yountville [California], where many hundreds of old soldiers
are provided for in large government buildings....
We are sending papers to these soldiers, and have placed in their
library copies of my works, Christ’s Object Lessons and some larger
books of mine....
[345]
We desire to keep books and papers circulating among these sol-
diers. Please help us all you can along this line by gathering together
something for them to read—books and papers full of Bible truth.—
Letter 96, 1903
.