Our publishing houses are God's appointed
centers, and through them is to be accomplished a work the magnitude
of which is yet unrealized. There are lines of effort and influence
as yet by them almost untouched in which God is calling for their
co-operation.
As the message of truth advances into new
fields, it is God's purpose that the work of establishing new
centers shall be constantly going forward. Throughout the world
His people are to raise memorials of His Sabbath, the sign between Him and them that He is
the One who sanctifies them. At various points in missionary
lands publishing houses must be established. To give character
to the work, to be centers of effort and influence, to attract
the attention of the people, to develop the talents and capabilities
of the believers, to unify the new churches, and to second the
efforts of the workers, giving them facilities for more ready
communication with the churches and more rapid dissemination
of the message --all these and many other considerations plead
for the establishment of publishing centers in missionary fields.
In this work it is the privilege, yea,
the duty, of our established institutions to participate. These
institutions were founded in self-sacrifice. They have been built
up by the self-denying gifts of God's people and the unselfish
labor of His servants. God designs that they shall manifest the
same spirit of self-sacrifice and do the same work in aiding
the establishment of new centers in other fields.
For institutions as for individuals the
same law holds true: They are not to become self-centered. As
an institution becomes established and gains strength and influence,
it is not to be constantly reaching out to secure greater facilities
for itself. Of every institution, as of every individual, it
is true that we receive to impart. God gives that we may give.
Just as soon as an institution has gained a standing place for
itself, it should reach out to aid other instrumentalities of
God that are in greater need.
This is in accordance with the principles
of both the law and the gospel--the principles exemplified in
the life of Christ. The greatest evidence of the sincerity of
our professed adherence to God's law and our profession of allegiance
to our Redeemer is unselfish, self-sacrificing love for our fellow
men.
It is the glory of the gospel that it is
founded upon the principle of restoring in the fallen race the
divine image by a constant manifestation of beneficence. God
will honor that principle wherever manifest.
Those who follow Christ's example of self-denial
for the truth's sake make a great impression on the world. Their
example is convincing and contagious. Men see that there is among
God's professed people that faith which works by love and purifies
the soul from selfishness. In the lives of those who obey God's
commandments, worldlings see convincing evidence that the law
of God is a law of love to God and man.
God's work is ever to be a sign of His
benevolence, and just as that sign is manifest in the working
of our institutions, it will win the confidence of the people
and bring in resources for the advancement of His kingdom. The
Lord will withdraw His blessing where selfish interests are indulged
in any phase of the work; but He will put His people in possession
of good throughout the whole world, if they will use it for the
uplifting of humanity. The experience of apostolic days will
come to us when we wholeheartedly accept God's principle of benevolence--consent
in all things to obey the leadings of His Holy Spirit.