DEAR BROTHER, — I feel that I must write you on the above subject, which you have introduced to the Christian’s Library. I can but regard your article as a very timely one, and hope that many may be stirred up to do what they can in such a truly needy field. Your description of the appalling state of one village, only applies too correctly to that of many others. The blighting effects of the drinking customs of the people on both body and soul are sadly apparent in many a place, and surely nothing but a gospel which is God’s power unto salvation can meet such cases! May all those who have read your words on this subject lay them to heart, and realize their responsibility in the matter as never before! How blessed to be in the enjoyment of the only remedy for such a terrible state of affairs! How increasingly blessed is that gospel as it is told out to others!
As your words clearly show, religious instruction of men in their sins cannot meet their case. They indeed need to be alarmed as to their lost condition, and thus to be led to receive Christ as a Saviour. Solemn as is the position of those who take the care of the souls in a parish upon them whilst still unsaved themselves, yet this should not blind us to our responsibility to tell out the gospel wherever opportunity offers. The thought of the nearness of the Lord’s coming should surely lead us to invite souls to come to Christ while “yet there is room.”
I write as one who has specially felt the need of the villages, and as one who has made a point of carrying out a house-to-house visitation with tracts and gospel books in several districts. This can generally be arranged during a holiday at any rate. You remark that “all are not preachers,” but here is a field open to many others. A remarkable variety of cases will be met with, hence a good grounding in the Scriptures is most needful. To those who hesitate to take up the work, may I say that the encouragement met with has very largely outweighed the very few rebuffs experienced. The privilege of giving the gospel to souls who really know that they stand in need of it, is truly a blessed one. A selection of useful pamphlets calculated to help believers in their varied spheres and conditions, should also be carried. This part of the work has received warm appreciation from many who, in isolated places, are in danger of spiritual starvation. In conclusion, I must mention the importance of prayer for guidance in the work, and that all needed wisdom may be given one. An old preacher remarked to his son: “Always speak to the Lord, before you speak about Him.”