God's plan is to combine speaking and writing. When God gave the Ten Commandments, He first spoke them with His mouth. Then, He wrote them in stone.

The tract and missionary work is an important part of the third angel’s message. Canvassers must go out into various parts of the country. The importance of this work is fully equal to that of the ministry. The living preacher and the silent messenger are both required for the accomplishment of the great work before us. RH April 1, 1880, par. 6

Too often in our efforts to evangelize, we forget that one wing alone cannot sustain flight. Preaching without literature is much like a bird trying to fly with a broken wing. He expends a lot of energy and moves around a bit, but does not get very far.

Consider where and how literature is used in your context, whether you are a church member or a leader.

• Sabbath School
• Sermon
• Evangelistic meetings
• Chaplain at a hospital or school
• Bible study
• Prayer meeting
• Voyage

A quick analysis of our evangelism will likely reveal that the majority of what we do is oral. Yes, for Sabbath School, we have the quarterly. But what about the sermon? If I asked you to give a summary of last week's sermon, how much could you share? What about last month's sermon? What percentage of the people who attend evangelistic meetings receive literature corresponding to that day's topic?

There is probably room for improvement in your context. Pray for God to guide you to incorporate literature more effectively into your ministry.

The press is a powerful means to move the minds and hearts of the people…. The press is a powerful instrumentality which God has ordained to be combined with the energies of the living preacher to bring the truth before all nations, kindreds, tongues, and peoples. Many minds can be reached in no other way. CM 148.2

If a preacher would distribute a written form of his sermon, he would be far more effective.

Listeners easily forget what is being said. They are distracted during the sermon. They are distracted after the sermon by conversations with their friends. The sermon is often short-lived in the minds of the listeners.

But if it was written down, they can come back to it and review it and let the truth sink deeper into the heart.

Those who distribute tracts gratuitously should take other publications to sell to all who will purchase them. Persevering efforts will result in great good. Very many souls have been converted to the truth by reading papers and tracts alone, who would not have been reached without them. God has committed to his people great light. This is not for them to selfishly enjoy alone, but to let its rays shine forth to others who are in the darkness of error. RH November 4, 1875, par. 6

What does it mean if we only preach without literature? It means that very many souls will not be converted.

You are not as a people doing one twentieth part of what might be done in spreading the knowledge of the truth. Very much more can be accomplished by the living preacher with the circulation of papers and tracts than by the preaching of the word alone without the publications.” PM 44.5

If “very much more” can be accomplished by combining the living preacher with literature, we could also state that “very much less” is being accomplished by the living preacher who attempts to work without literature.

The truth must be published far more extensively than it yet has been. It must be defined in clear, sharp lines before the people. It must be presented in short but conclusive arguments, and plans must be laid that at every meeting where the truth has been set before the people, it may be followed by the distribution of tracts and pamphlets. At the present time it may be found necessary to give these away, but they will be a power for good, and nothing will be lost. PM 45.1

What plans for literature are you laying? Are you distributing literature at every meeting?

The discourses given in the desk would be far more effective if reading matter were circulated, educating the hearers in the doctrines of the Bible. God will make many willing to read, but there will also be many who will refuse to see or hear anything upon the present truth. But we should not even think these cases beyond hope, for Christ is drawing many to Himself…. You should go forth with your hands filled with proper reading matter, and your heart filled with the love of God. PM 45.2

Without literature, discourses given are far less effective.

You have called the attention of the people to important subjects, which, to a large number, are strange and new. To some they are intensely interesting. The laborers in word and doctrine have done what they could in presenting the truth. But unless there is a more thorough effort made to fasten these impressions upon minds, your efforts will prove nearly fruitless. Satan has many attractions ready to divert the mind; and the cares of this life and the deceitfulness of riches all combine to choke the seed of truth sown in the heart. PM 45.4
In every effort such as you are now making, much more good would result from your labors if you had appropriate reading matter ready for circulation. Tracts upon the important points of truth for the present time should be handed out freely to all who will accept them. You are to sow beside all waters… PM 45.5

The truth as spoken by the living preacher will have greater influence than the same matter will have when published in the papers. But both methods combined will have still greater force. 6T 36.1

Truth published has less influence than when also spoken by the living preacher.

I have been instructed that even where the people hear the message from the living preacher, the canvasser should carry on his work in cooperation with the minister; for, though the minister may faithfully present the message, the people are not able to retain it all. The printed page is therefore essential, not only in awakening them to the importance of the truth for this time, but in rooting and grounding them in the truth, and establishing them against deceptive error. Papers and books are the Lord’s means of keeping the message for this time continually before the people. In enlightening and confirming souls in the truth, the publications will do a far greater work than can be accomplished by the ministry of the word alone. The silent messengers that are placed in the homes of the people through the efforts of the canvasser, will strengthen the gospel ministry in every way; for the Holy Spirit will impress minds as they read the books, just as He impresses the minds of those who listen to the preaching of the word. The same ministry of angels attends the books that contain the truth as attends the work of the minister. MC 8.2

When a discourse is given, the people may listen with interest, but it is all strange and new to them, and Satan is ready to suggest to their minds many things that are not true. He will seek to pervert and misrepresent the speaker's words. What shall we do? Ev 159.3
The discourses presenting the reasons of our faith should be published in little leaflets, and circulated as widely as possible. Thus the falsehoods and misrepresentations which the enemy of truth constantly tries to keep in circulation would be revealed in their true character, and the people would have an opportunity of knowing just what the minister said. Ev 160.1
Let a synopsis of the discourses be printed and widely circulated. Ev 160.2
If a press can be secured to be worked during the meeting, printing leaflets, notices and papers for distribution, it will have a telling influence. Ev 160.3
Here is true missionary work in which labor and means can be invested with the best results. Ev 160.4

From the very first establishment of your work, begin in a dignified, Godlike manner, that you may give character to the influence of the truth which you know to be of heavenly birth. But remember that great care is to be exercised in regard to the presentation of truth. Carry the minds along guardedly. Dwell upon practical godliness, weaving the same into doctrinal discourses. The teachings and love of Christ will soften and subdue the soil of the heart for the good seed of truth, and you will obtain the confidence of the people by working to obtain acquaintance with them. But keep up the elevated character of the work. Let the publications, the papers, the pamphlets, be working among the people, and preparing the minds of the reading class for the preaching of the truth. Let no stinted efforts be made in this line, and the work, if begun wisely and prosecuted wisely, will result in success. But do be humble and teachable, if you would teach others and lead them in the way of truth and righteousness.” LS 304.1