The present is a rcailing age, and while, on the one hand, it is important to antagonize the evils resulting from bad reading in all its forms, on the other hand there is no community in which many persons may not be found who will have little, if any, good reading that is not brought to them by the hand of benevolence. He tbat searches them out and bestows upon them good gifts in the form of Christian tracts and books, accom- panied, if need be, with other acts of kindness, will sel- dom fail of doing good; but he Avho adds to the tract earnest Christian inquiry or conversation will do still greater good, and in many instances secure an interest in such promises as these — "He which converteth the siinier from the error of liis way shall save a sou! from death" (.lames v, 20); "And they that turn many to righteousness [shall shine] as the stars for ever and ever" (Dan. xii, 3). Ministers of the Gospel es[)ecially should consider it a great privilege to have provided and ready to their hand a large supply of Christian truth strongly stated, neatly printed, and specially adapted to aid and render permanent the very work they are endeavoring to do by preaching and pastoral labor. In this respect the publications of the tract so- cieties become an arsenal tilled with legitimate weapons of the Christian warfare, a vast store of fixed ammuni- tion with which to defend the citadel of Christian truth, and to assault tlie positions of the adversary.
In the pulpit the minister is chiefly limited to his own thoughts and expressions. In the use of tracts he may avail himself of the best thoughts, the largest ex- perience, and the ablest statements of the wisest men who have used their pen for the glory of (Jod. His own spoken words may vanish with the breath which utters them. At most, they are not likely to be long remembered; but the prhited pages which he scatters may remain to be perused when the giver is dead, and mav even descend to coming generations. In preach- ing, the minister is limited to bis own personal efforts, and can only address those who come to hear him. In his pastoral work he is at liberty to seek out the people; and often the present of a tract or a book will secure for him the friendship and the interested attention of those who would not have volunteered to enter his congrega- tion. Besides, in the work of tract-distribution, a hun- dred willing hands can help him, an<l feet "shod with the (ireparalion of the (Jospel of peace" will nm for him in paths of duty farther and oftener than he with the utmost diligence can hope to go himself. JMinisters should therefore enlist their people in the practical work of tract-distribution. This is too great and too good a
TRACTS AND TRACT SOCIETIES 513 TRACTS AND TRACT SOCIETIES
work to be confined to a few. Specially appointed tract committees and visitors have tlieir duties, which should neither be omitted nor excused; yet no intUvidual should consider his or her personal responsibility relieved by tlic official appointment of others. The truth is, that in order to the full accomplishment of tract-distribution as a means of evangelical effort in any commiuiity, both svstematic and occasional, public and individual, exer- tions must be put forth. The periodical distribution of tracts through districts and towns is very important, but it has disadvantages. For instance, where the dis- trict is large there is not time for sufficient personal con- versation with different characters; besides, many will not listen to the voice of a stranger. If the Christian acquaintances of such persons should give them tracts as tokens of friendship, and follow up the gift with af- fectionate warning and entreaty, the end would be more effectually gained. Thus it is that individual Chris- tians, in their several circles of acquaintance and busi- ness, have a work to do in which well-selected tracts may furnish invaluable aid.
II. Ilistori) of Initial Tract Enterprises. — .\side from tlie circulation of portions of the Holy Script- ures in fragmentary or tract form, the use of tracts as an agencv of religious usefulness dates from the dawn of the Reformation in Europe. Long before tlie inven- tion of printing, the early Reformers sent out their little tractates to awaken and instruct the people who still sat under the shadow of the Dark Ages. Wyclifte's writ- ings were the means of extensive usefulness. He sent out more than one hundred volumes, small and great, besides his translation of the Bible. Notwithstanding manv of his works were burned and people were forbid- den to read them on pain of death, yet they spread far and wide. Like seeds of truth borne by the wind, they lodged on the soil of the Continent, and brought forth fruit there in after-years. Works produced by the writ- ers of that period, although extensively useful, were greatly hindered in their circulation by the size and ex- pensiveness of the manuscript form in which they were issued.
The invention of printing in the 15th century re- moved many formidable obstacles to the diffusion of truth, and greatly stimulated the literary efforts of those who were striving to reform the Church. Luther ap- peared, and by his powerfid writings and those of his associates, millions of people were led to renounce the errors than which they previously knew nothing better. The eflfijrts of the later Reformers are thus characterized by one of their opponents : •' The Gospellers of these days do till the realm with so many of their noisome little books that they be like to the swarms of locnsts which did infest the land of Egypt." Fox, the martyr- ologist, exults over the work and promise of the art of printing in language like this: '"God hath opened the press to preach, whose voice the pope is never able to stop with all the puissance of his triple crown. By this printing, as by the gift of tongues and as by the singu- lar organ of the Holy Spirit, the doctrine of the Gospel soundeth to all nations and countries under heaven; and what God revealed unto one man is dispersed to manv ; and what is known to one nation is opened to ail.""