An Encouraging Experience
At one of our conference schools the teachers led out in reviving an interest in the sale of Christ’s Object Lessons. Bands of students, after prayerful study of the book, visited a large city near the school, in company with their teachers, and in their work gained a sound, solid experience that they prize above silver and gold. This kind of work is, in fact, one of the means that God has ordained for giving our youth a missionary training, and those who neglect to improve such opportunities lose out of their lives a chapter of experience of the highest value. By entering heartily into this work, students can learn how to approach with tact and discretion men and women in all the walks of life, how to deal with them courteously, and how to lead them to give favorable consideration to the truths contained in the books that are sold. (CT 529.1)
Students, your voice, your influence, your time—all these are gifts from God and are to be used in winning souls to Christ. As teachers and students engage heartily in selling Christ’s Object Lessons, they will gain an experience that will fit them to do valuable service in connection with camp meetings. Through the instruction that they can give to the believers in attendance, and through the sale of many books in the places where such meetings are held, those who have been in the school will be able to do their part in reaching the multitudes who need to be given the third angel’s message. Let teachers and students bear their share of the burden in showing our people how to communicate the message to their friends and neighbors. (CT 529.2)
When we follow plans of the Lord’s devising we are “laborers together with God.” 1 Corinthians 3:9. Whatever our position—whether presidents of conferences, ministers, teachers, students, or lay members—we are held accountable by the Lord for making the most of our opportunities to enlighten those in need of present truth. And one of the principal agencies He has ordained for our use is the printed page. In our schools and sanitariums, in our home churches, and particularly in our annual camp meetings, we must learn to make a wise use of this precious agency. With patient diligence, chosen workers must instruct our people how to approach unbelievers in a kindly, winning way, and how to place in their hands literature in which the truth for this time is presented with clearness and power. (CT 530.1)
Only by the aid of that Spirit who in the beginning “was brooding upon the face of the waters;”(Genesis 1:2) of that Word by whom “all things were made;”(John 1:3) of that “true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world”(John 1:9), can the testimony of science be rightly interpreted. Only by their guidance can its deepest truths be discerned. Only under the direction of the Omniscient One shall we, in the study of His works, be enabled to think His thoughts after Him. (CT 530.2)