The Spirit of Prophecy &
A Call to Literature Evangelism
 

Who Will Go?

 “There are many places in which the voice of the minister cannot be heard, places which can be reached only by publications,—the books, papers, and tracts that are filled with the Bible truth that the people need. 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.” Southern Watchman, Jan. 5, 1904 

 
God Ordained the Plan

 “I saw that the work of present truth should engage the interest of all. The publication of truth is God’s ordained plan, as a means of warning, comforting, reproving, exhorting, or convicting all to whose notice the silent, voiceless messengers may be brought.” Testimonies, vol. 1, p. 590

It’s Important. Very Important!

 “If there is one work more important than another, it is that of getting our publications before the public, thus leading them to search the Scriptures.”  The Colporteur Evangelist, p. 80

 
The Divine Mandate

 “I ask you, dear Christian workers, to do what you can to circulate the books that the Lord has said should be sown broadcast throughout the world. Do your best to place them in the homes of as many people as possible. Think of how great a work can be done if a large number of believers will unite in an effort to place before the people, by the circulation of these books, the light that the Lord has said should be given them. Under divine guidance, go forward in the work, and look to the Lord for aid. The Holy Spirit will attend you. Angels of heaven will accompany you, preparing the way.”  Review and Herald, Jan. 7, 1903

 
How can we reach every home in the United States?

 “God has wonderfully prepared the way. The agency of the printing press, with its manifold facilities, is at our command. Bibles, and publications in many languages, setting forth the truth for this time, are at our hand, and can be swiftly carried to every part of the world.” Gospel Workers, p. 352

“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.” Life Sketches, pp. 216, 217

 
Direct Mail Evangelism in
Our Early Adventist Publishing History

 “It was in Middletown, about 1849, that my husband began the publication of our first paper, a small sheet called, The Present Truth…. When he brought the first number of the paper from the printing-office, we all bowed round it, and with humble hearts and many tears besought the Lord to let his blessing rest upon the feeble efforts of his servant. My husband then directed copies of the paper to all who he thought would read it, and walked seven miles to the Middletown post-office, carrying the precious papers in a carpet-bag. Again and again, before the papers were taken to the post-office, they were spread before God, and earnest prayers, mingled with tears, were offered to God that his blessing might attend the silent messengers. Very soon letters came, bringing means to help in the publication of the paper, and bringing also the good news that many souls were accepting the truth.”  Review & Herald, Oct. 6, 1904

 The Times Demand It!

“Just now, when people are thinking seriously, literature on the meaning of the signs of the times, wisely circulated, will have a telling effect in behalf of the truth. At this time, when awful calamities are sweeping away the most costly structures as if by a breath of fire from heaven, many sinners are afraid, and stand trembling before God. Now is our opportunity to make known the truth to them.” Review & Herald, May 24, 1906

“The Lord is soon to come. In fire and flood and earthquake, He is warning the inhabitants of this earth of His soon approach. O that the people might know the time of their visitation! We have no time to lose. We must make more determined efforts to lead the people of the world to see that the day of judgment is near at hand. Carefully prepared literature on the significance of the scenes we are now witnessing is to be circulated everywhere.” Review & Herald, May 24, 1906

 
What kind of results can we expect?

“The press is a powerful instrumentality which God has ordained to be combined with the energies of the living preacher to bring the truth before all nations, kindreds, tongues, and peoples. Many minds can be reached in no other way. Here is true missionary work in which labor and means can be invested with the best results.” Life Sketches, p. 217

“God will soon do great things for us if we lie humble and believing at His feet. . . . More than one thousand will soon be converted in one day, most of whom will trace their first convictions to the reading of our publications.” Review and Herald, Nov. 10, 1885

Never Talk Failure! 

“It may be that you will not at once see the result of your labor, but this should not discourage you. Take Christ as your example. He had many hearers, but few followers. Noah preached for one hundred and twenty years to the people before the flood; yet out of the multitudes on the earth at that time only eight were saved.” Christian Experience and Teachings of Ellen White, p. 216
(An excerpt from a dream Ellen White was given in reference to “the instrumentality of the press in the work of giving the third angel’s message to the world.”)
 

Don't Make This Mistake

“If all would realize the necessity of doing to the utmost of their ability in the work of God, having a deep love for souls, feeling the burden of the work upon them, we should see hundreds engaged as active workers who have been hitherto dull and uninterested, accomplishing nothing. They have felt that there was nothing of importance in this tract and missionary work, nothing worthy of their especial interest. Yet it is a fact that the circulation of our papers is doing even a greater work than the living preacher [your personal witness] can do. Many have failed to become thoroughly acquainted with the work, because they have felt that it did not concern them.”  Review & Herald, December 19, 1878   (emphasis and brackets supplied)

Preparing for the Latter Rain

“The seed has been sown, and now it will spring up and bear fruit. The publications distributed by missionary workers have exerted their influence, yet many whose minds were impressed have been prevented from fully comprehending the truth or from yielding obedience. Now the rays of light penetrate everywhere, the truth is seen in its clearness. . . . A large number take their stand upon the Lord’s side.” The Great Controversy, p. 612

 
Is God calling you to be a literature evangelist
through PROJECT: Steps to Christ?

“All can, by individual effort, do something. Some can do more than others. All should become intelligent as to how they can work most successfully and methodically in spreading the light of truth, by scattering our publications.” Review & Herald, December 19, 1878   

"Let every Seventh-day Adventist ask himself, 'What can I do to proclaim the third angel's message?' Christ came to this world to give this message to His servant to give to the churches. It is to be proclaimed to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people. How are we to give it? The distribution of our literature is one means by which the message is to be proclaimed. Let every believer scatter broadcast tracts and leaflets and books containing the message for this time." Southern Watchman, Jan. 5, 1904