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Preacher-Paper Duo

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.

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.

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

The preacher-paper duo is God's plan

Limits of preaching alone

Preaching Only	Literature
A sermon is heard once	Literature can be re-read
Listeners forget easily	Literature repeats as often as necessary
Pastors are transferred	Literature remains
Pastors are overworked	Literature never tires of delivering the message
Churches lack sufficient instruction	Literature can be multiplied as necessary

Advantages of Literature

Allows people to read slowly and repeatedly

Can enter where religious resistance is strong

Reaches homes where pastors cannot

Encourages literacy

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

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