Words of Encouragement to Workers in the Home Missionary Field

The Future Use of “Object Lessons”

St. Helena, Cal.,

May 18, 1903.

The use which should be made of “Object Lessons” in the future has been made clear to me, and I must write to my brethren in regard to it. Letters have been received from our canvassing agents, in which they say that they think it would be a good plan for “Object Lessons” to be handled as a regular subscription book, as soon as the relief-of-the-schools campaign is finished. They believe that this book would have as ready a sale in the hands of the regular canvasser as any that could be produced. PH164 27.1

As my son read me one of these letters, the thought came to me: “Here is an opportunity for me to get out of debt. Is not this the right thing to do?” I told my son I thought that perhaps it would be best to do as the letter had suggested. Then I sent to heaven the prayer, “Lord, teach me to speak right words.” Quickly the answer came. In an instant the light given me at the first regarding “Object Lessons” flashed into my mind, and the instruction then given was repeated. I seemed to hear the words: “God signified that this book should be given to our schools, to be to them a continual blessing. Would you exchange His plan for human devising? This book is to be treated as a sacred offering, made to God; and as His plan regarding it is unselfishly carried out, the result will be wholly satisfactory.” PH164 27.2

I immediately told my son that I would make no change in regard to the handling of “Object Lessons” unless God gave me plain instruction that this should be done. As I told him this, I felt the blessing of God resting upon me. PH164 28.1

The plan for the circulation of “Object Lessons” is not of human devising; it is God's plan. He signified that this book should be a gift to our schools. Thus far it has done its work, and God has set His approval on the self-sacrificing efforts of His people. Shall we mar His plan?—No, no! Until the Lord shall come, and our present system of school work shall be ended by our entering the higher school, “Christ's Object Lessons” is to stand as a gift to our educational institutions. PH164 28.2