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many other questions posed them selves. They spoke to friends engaged in Gospel distribution in prison and learned of the need for more Gospels. There friends encouraged them to organize, and by their prayerful inter est, helped them in many ways. On December 12, 1939, the three girls met and together they earnestly prayed God’s guidance in every step. They wrote the purpose of their plans, thus marking the origin of the Gospel Sowers Association. Psalm 126:5,6: “ They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth weeping, bearing precious seed shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.” These were the verses which prompted the name, “ Gospel Sowers.” Membership was to be limited to bom again, unmarried women, en gaged in domestic service. No mem bership dues would be required and there was to be no solicitation of funds. All money received at the busi ness meeting was to be used exclu sively for purchase of Scripture, and funds received one month were to be spent the following, leaving no bal ance in the treasury. Officers were to consist of president, secretary, and treasurer. The miscel laneous treasury was later created to handle such items as speaker’s gifts, box rent, stationery, postage, etc. The plans, meticulous in detail, were com pleted and the next step was to intro duce them to other friends. A Christ mas party was arranged, during which time the new Gospel Sowers Associa tion was presented. The reaction was warm and wholehearted. Other bless ings would follow such as broader Christian fellowship and prayerful in terest in each other. There were nine charter members when the first officers were elected. The second Thursday of each month was chosen for the business meeting, which time still continues. Also, at this time a person (usually a mis sionary engaged in Christian work) addresses the group. The first and fourth Thursday afternoons of each month are days of prayer. The third Thursday is devoted to the purchas ing of Scriptures at the Bible House of Los Angeles, from tvhich they are sent to the fields designated the previous week. In 1942 Elsie MacDonald and Jose phine Erickson went to New York City where they opened a chapter of the “ Gospel Sowers.” This testimony still continues. Their address is 250 E. 61st, New York City, New York. The total amount of $42,568.56 has come into the treasury since its incep tion twenty years ago. Bibles, Testa-
Several of the Gospel Sowers, domestic workers, at the Bible House: Ellen Carlson, treasurer; Sigrid Johnson, president, and Anna Carlson, devotional chairman. The Gospel Sowers Association by Pearl Johnson
The Gospel Sowers discuss materials for distribution with Mr. Irving G. Hoff, executive secretary of the Bible House of Los Angeles.
I saiah 55:11, “ So shall my word be that goeth forth and out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I send it.” These are the words which motivate the work of the “ Gospel Sowers.” In December 1939, two friends, Amy Flink and Gunhild Carlson, attended a Gideons’ meeting in Pasa dena, California. Their hearts were moved as the speaker told of many people, in lonely hotel rooms, who found salvation and comfort through reading a Bible left by the Gideons. The idea that God was using this ministry proved a challenge. Both had prayed that God would use their lives in service to Him. “Why can’t Chris-
tian domestic women distribute God’s Word, too?” they said. Both felt defi nitely that God wanted them, also, to give out His Word. They talked about it on their way home, but discourag ing thoughts soon presented them selves. Bibles were expensive, and, too, few people were interested. They were reminded, however, that Gospels of John were inexpensive. The anticipation of such a service so thrilled them that they made it known to another friend, Elsie Mac Donald, later that evening. Elsie was likewise interested, and together they talked much about it. Many questions arose. “Where shall we send the Gos pels? How can we contact those in charge of distribution? Who would feel their need of them?” These and
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THE KING'S BUSINESS
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