The Fruitage of Spiritual Gifts

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Chapter 23 — A Literature-minded People

TO WRITE, TO PRINT, AND to sell large quantities of really worth-while spiritual and doctrinal Christian literature calls for and develops strong men of self-reliance and vision. A person who does that work acceptably must be in close touch with God, and have his cars and heart open to feel and follow the thinking of people around him. The pioneers of the Adventist Church had un-bounded faith in the place and power of the printed page, and that conviction has remained with us. FSG 340.1

If we should inquire what activity above any other stands out in the history of the Adventist Church, the answer would be the literature ministry. From the very first we were a church that believed in an abundant use of temperance and religious literature. James White always confessed to a special love for the publishing branch. just before his death he made this statement: FSG 340.2

“In my relations to this cause I have been longest and most closely connected with the publishing work. Three times have I fallen, stricken with paralysis, through my devotion to this branch of the cause. Now that God has given me renewed physical and mental strength, I feel that I can serve His cause as I have never been able to serve it before. I must see the publishing work prosper. It is interwoven with my very existence. If I forget the interests of this work, let my right hand forget her cunning. FSG 340.3

“I think but few can appreciate my feelings of devotion to this instrumentality of God. It is the child of my care. The Lord used me as his agent to bring this work into existence, and to carry it forward until it stood forth in power, a glorious success. Few know the anguish I have felt, as I have seen it burdened with debt. I have always said I would never place a mortgage on my home; but the debt on our Publishing Association is worse than this.”—In Memoriam:A Sketch of the Last Sickness and Death of Elder James White, 45, 46. FSG 341.1

In those early years of poverty and prejudice all our literature was printed by outsiders. Sometimes these men wanted to do the printing on the Sabbath, which inclination brought us much perplexity. Washington Morse, one of the first pioneers, has told how in those days of little things this problem finally was solved by our getting our own press. FSG 341.2

“In the spring of 1852, a Conference was called by S. W. Rhodes and James White, to meet at the house of Bro. Jesse Thompson, near Ballston Spa, New York, commencing March 12. One principal object of this Conference was to consider the feasibility of equipping a printing-office, as before that time the printing of papers, tracts, and pamphlets was procured elsewhere. The necessities of the situation were thus set forth by Bro. White, in the The Review and Herald, March 2, 1852:— FSG 341.3

“‘We object to conducting the paper in its present condition, for the following reasons:— FSG 341.4

“‘I. It is not convenient to print such a paper at a suitable printing-office, and have the work put by on the seventh day; and it is very unpleasant to us, as well as inconvenient, to have the work done on the Sabbath. FSG 341.5

“‘2. If a small office were owned by the brethren, the paper could be printed in such an office for about three-fourths of what others can afford to do it for us in large printing establishments.... FSG 341.6

“‘4.... But if an office were owned by our brethren, and the paper printed by those who are especially interested in the present truth, arrangements could be made to Publish the paper, and the editor be absent a portion of the time.’ FSG 341.7

“‘The Conference convened according to appointment.... FSG 342.1

“‘Brother Bates, Rhodes, Holt, Wheeler, Day, Baker, Ingraham, Wyman, Churchill, Morse, and Edson were present. We were happy to see Bro. Andrews also, who arrived near the close of the meeting from his late tour in Michigan and Ohio.... FSG 342.2

“‘Friday PM, the 12th, the subject of publishing the paper was introduced. Several brethren spoke of the disadvantages of having it published as it had been, and of the propriety of having an office under the control of Sabbath-keepers. And after investigating the matter, it was decided by unanimous vote. (I.) that a press, type, etc., should be purchased immediately; (2.) that the paper should be published in Rochester, New York; (3.) that Brother E. A. Pool, Lebbeus Drew, and Hiram Edson compose a committee to receive donations from the friends of the cause, to purchase the press, type, etc., and to conduct the financial concerns of the paper; (4.) that the brethren abroad be requested through the next number of the Review and Herald to choose agents in their churches to receive donations for the purpose of establishing the press, and carrying forward the publishing of the paper; and (5.) that those donations that are immediately sent in, should be sent to Hiram Edson, Port Byron, New York. It was thought that six hundred dollars would be sufficient to establish the press at Rochester.’ FSG 342.3

“On the strength of the plans that were laid at this meeting, those who were authorized to do so, proceeded at once to purchase a printing outfit, and establish it at Rochester. The first number of Vol. 3 was issued from the newly equipped office, May 6, 1852.”—The Review and Herald, October 23, 1888, pages 658, 659. FSG 342.4

This was the beginning of Seventh-day Adventist publishing. When we compare that little six-hundred-dollar print shop with our present fifty-two well-equipped publishing houses around the world and their working capital of over nine million dollars, we cannot but say, “What hath God wrought!” When in 1849 Adventists began their first periodical, a small monthly called Present Truth, they printed only three hundred of the first number. In our day Present Truth has had more than two million copies in one issue—to say nothing of the immense circulation of our other magazines and periodicals. FSG 342.5

Our first purpose in this chapter is to show the influence of the Lord’s messages in starting and developing our world embracing literature mission. Our publishing cause is a sacred endeavor both as propaganda for the truth and as a soul saving means of special efficiency. Many times have we seen how the Holy Spirit takes our literature and uses it to convict sinners and to lead them to Christ and His truth. It would be not only a mistake but a great peril to consider and carry on our publishing work merely as a commercial enterprise. FSG 343.1

In this connection we must remember the horrible fruitage of evil literature. “The world is flooded with books that are filled with enticing error.” “Mere children in years are old in knowledge of crime. They are incited to evil by the tales they read.”—The Ministry of Healing, 444, 445. One great purpose of our literature is to neutralize these “polluted seeds of sin.” To do this our reading matter must be of the highest order—inspiring, pure, and true. FSG 343.2

When we write of our literature mission we must mention several branches, such as (1) the books and authors; (2) the publishing establishments that produce the reading matter; (3) the colporteurs; (4) the Book and Bible Houses; and (5) church members at work. All these phases of our publishing concern are genuine Christian mission work, and only converted, godly, and Spirit-led people belong and succeed. FSG 343.3