"I well remember distributing them in a town in England where tracts had never been distributed before, and going from house to house, and telling in humble language the things of the kingdom of God. I might have done nothing, if I had not been encouraged by finding myself able to do something ... [Tracts are] adapted to those persons who have but little power and little ability, but nevertheless, wish to do something for Christ. They have not the tongue of the eloquent, but they may have the hand of the diligent. They cannot stand and preach, but they can stand and distribute here and there these silent preachers ... They may buy their thousand tracts, and these they can distribute broadcast.
"I look upon the giving away of a religious tract as only the first step for action not to be compared with many another deed done for Christ; but were it not for the first step we might never reach to the second, but that first attained, we are encouraged to take another, and so at the last ... There is a real service of Christ in the distribution of the gospel in its printed form, a service the result of which heaven alone shall disclose, and the judgment day alone discover. How many thousands have been carried to heaven instrumentally upon the wings of these tracts, none can tell ...
"Let each one of us, if we have done nothing for Christ, begin to do something now. The distribution of tracts is the first thing."
I have found it to be so true. Not only that people are converted from being given tracts, New Testaments, and bibles (that is reason enough for their distribution!), but especially that it is the small first steps we take that help us to take more steps for Jesus' sake.
I was talking to a friend in Hannibal recently and the two of us commented on how just going out to share the gospel, say door to door (or whatever), helps us to be ready in other occasions to share and speak up for the Lord. Then also I had a conversation with a friend two nights ago, right here in Kirksville about the exact same thing. I know I'm not alone on this.
Standing in the masses of lost God-hating humanity, trying to labor for God and the souls of men in love tends to stir one up more and more. And we need to be stirred. We need to be ready at each moment and occasion that God could bring along to testify of his goodness and grace and glory. It's just like the tennis player who, unless they are poised on the balls of their feet, will almost surely not be able to make a return.
Handing out tracts has always helped me so much.
