WELL, did you read the little book which I gave to you?” “Yes, thank you,” was the reply, “it was about Joseph, and mother read to me more about him out of the Bible.” “Oh, I am glad of that,” responded the inquirer. The person who asked the question is a Christian young woman who keeps a store, and the one who made the reply is a little boy, to whom she had given one of a series of tracts for children, which had been presented to her for distribution. The business which she carries on attracts many juvenile customers, and as she has a real desire to serve the Lord to whom she is so deeply indebted for the salvation of her soul, she seeks as far as lies in her power to extend the knowledge of His name. It is therefore, a great pleasure to her when she is enabled to give a simple book or tract to any child who may pay her a visit. The children, too, are very pleased to receive one from her, especially if it has an illustration upon it. It occurs to me that perhaps some of the readers of Messages of Love have lying by them some old or spare copies of this and other gospel magazines, or some tracts or books suitable for children. Now, there are many who would be glad to read them, even though they should be a little soiled or torn. And would it not be a pity that they should not have them? Do, then, look over your desks and book-cases, and turn out such as you can spare, which may be useful to others; and if you do not know in what way to distribute them, your parents and Sunday school teachers would, I doubt not, be willing to assist you if you ask their advice.
Among the many channels for circulating the truth of God, which are open to you, there is one which I desire to bring to your notice. At some railway stations there are boxes provided for the purpose of receiving books and periodicals for the perusal of patients in hospitals. Such sufferers, whether young or old, are generally glad to have something to occupy them, and some of them at least would be pleased to read about the salvation of God. I merely mention this as being one mode of conveying the glad tidings of good things to the souls of sinners.
The Lord, though a bountiful giver, allows of no waste. When He had fed the hungry thousands, and all of them were filled, “He said unto His disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost.” (John 6:5-145When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat? 6And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do. 7Philip answered him, Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little. 8One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, saith unto him, 9There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many? 10And Jesus said, Make the men sit down. Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand. 11And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would. 12When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost. 13Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten. 14Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world. (John 6:5‑14)). May the Lord incline the hearts of some who read this, to help in the good work of sowing the seed of the Word, even, by the simple means of scattering it in pleasant books and tracts for children, either by the purchase of new ones or by the distribution of such as they possess (1 Cor. 8:1212But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ. (1 Corinthians 8:12)).
ML 09/18/1904