November 1928
664
T h e
K i n g ' s
B u s i n e s s
A Bright Light in a Smoky City B y E t h e l L aros Pittsburgh, Pa.
S N elderly lady from the Pacific coast was visiting her d a u g h t e r in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. , “Would you like to see the large iron and steel i plants that give our city its sobriquet ‘the work- S shop of the world’? Or do you wish to go the Allegheny Observatory and see one of the largest telescopes in the world ? Then there are our bridges and our tunnels—marvels of engineering; and Carnegie Institute with one of the finest museums and art galleries in the country. Where shall we go first ?” “I want to go to the office of the Silver Publishing So ciety, daughter. I want to see the ‘workshop’ of James H. McConkey.” “But that is such a?|gl—” “Yes, perhaps it is a small place, but to me his writ ings are more wonderful than any engineering feat. They have helped me more than anything except my Bible.” And so the old lady was brought to the unpretentious office of the Silver Publishing Society in a skyscraper, high above the noise and hubbub of the city’s busy streets. Wide-eyed she gazed at the shelves piled high with books and tracts. Lovingly she placed her hands on some tracts on a table. “Here they are, the precious, precious messages that have been a light to my path in so many dark and desolate places.” It is said that the earth receives more light from the stars that are invisible than from those that can be seen. So it is with the Silver Publishing Society. Compared with other concerns in Pittsburgh, the business seems insignificant. Yet the light of cheer and inspiration that goes forth embraced in the pages of the little tracts and books shines brilliantly in the lives of thousands upon thousands of men and women. T h e S tory of M c C onkey James H. McConkey is the writer of the literature published by this Society. When he was a boy he had visions of becoming a great lawyer, and attended Prince ton University with that end in view. At the beginning of his senior year, the death of his father necessitated his leaving college and assuming the management of his father’s business. In addition, he kept up with his class at Princeton, often studying far into the night. He was graduated with his class. Then he studied law, passed the examinations, and was admitted to the bar ,to prac tice law in the State of Pennsylvania. All this, was accomplished while he was managing his father’s business. The weight was far too great for his young shoulders. His health broke down. For many months he was laid aside while nature tried to repair the body that had been overtaxed so severely. His sufferings became a great fun eral pyre upon which all his hopes and ambitions were burned. But Phoenix-like there arose from the ashes new hopes and new ambitions. Mr. McConkey came to realize that he had been making his life plans without taking into consideration the plan that God might have for his life. When he saw this, he said, “Have thine own way, Lord,
have thine own way.” On this thought all subsequent activities have been based. Although he never has been restored fully to his old- time strength and vigor, even under this handicap, his service to humanity has been far-reaching, and he has had a wonderful satisfaction in doing his work, because he knows now that he is working out God’s plan for his life. He began teaching Bible classes, and then was led to put into print some of the lessons he had been teaching. A M ecca F or C h r ist ian s Mr. McConkey’s office on the tenth floor of the Besse mer Building in Pittsburgh is a veritable mecca for Chris tian pilgrims who happen to be in that city. But only a very small number call at the office in proportion to those who write for literature, for 555,654 letters requesting books and tracts have been received in the ten years the society has been in existence. Mr. McConkey calls this period “ten years of blessing.” If he counts it a blessing to have broadcasted his soul-stirring messages all over the world, the blessing has been multiplied many times in the hearts of those whose lives have been transformed by reading them. Like the “quality of mercy,” the messages are “twice blessed.” They bless “him that gives and him that takes.” . The distribution of Mr. McConkey’s writings is free. The only requirement is sufficient interest to write and ask thé society for the book or booklet desired. When he first was led to have his messages printed, he found that the original of the word translated “freely” in “Freely ye have received, freely give,” m e a n t literally “without price.” Since he received the inspiration for his Bible teaching from the Holy Spirit “without price,” he felt that he must give it to the .world “without price.” So strong was this conviction that ever since; he has carried on his business on a freewill offering basis. And God never has failed to provide for his needs. All the con-| tributions received are used for the expenses of the society. Mr. McConkey himself does not use a cent of this money, The success of a business enterprise is calculated, gen erally, by its profits. ‘But who can estimate the value of faith in God, of absolute trust in His guidance in the daily walks of life, of assurance of answers to prayer? To help Christians along these lines is the principal objective of all Mr. McConkey’s writings. His service to humanity can not be measured in terms of dollars and cents. When a testimony of special help received, or of the salvation of a soul comes to the office, Mr. McConkey feels richly repaid. E vidences of G od ’ s B lessing The father-in-law of Mr. W., a Christian young man, was not saved. The son-in-law was so earnest in his desire to see the older man saved that he vexed him with his persistency, and was forbidden to visit the house. But his prayers could not be prevented. Then the old man became very ill, and Mr. W. sent him Mr. McConkey’s tract, “If We Neglect.” The sick man’s condition became very grave. Mr. W. said to his’wife, “I think I will go to
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