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And read it "And read them" - ויקראם vayikraem . So MS. Bodl. in this place; and so the other copy; instead of ויקראהו vaiyikraehu, "and read It."

And spread it "And spread them" - ויפרשהו vaiyiphresehu . הו hu is upon a rasure in a MS., which probably was at first ם mem . The same mistake as in the foregoing note.

And Hezekiah received the letter - Hebrew, ‹Letters‘ (plural). It is not mentioned in the account of the embassy Isaiah 37:9, that a letter was sent, but it is not probable that all embassage would be sent to a monarch without a written document.

Went up into the house of the Lord - The temple Isaiah 37:1.

And spread it before the Lord - Perhaps unrolled the document there, and spread it out; or perhaps it means simply that he spread out the contents of the letter, that is, made mention of it in his prayer. Hezekiah had no other resource. He was a man of God; and in his trouble he looked to God for aid. He, therefore, before he formed any plan, went up to the temple, and laid his case before God. What an example for all monarchs and rulers! And what an example for all the people of God, in times of perplexity!

Witnessing Through Commercial Contacts—One of the means by which these [publishing] institutions are brought in contact with the world is found in commercial work. [SDA Publishing Houses accepted commercial printing contracts up until the time of the Review and Herald and Pacific Press Publishing Association fires in 1902 and 1906 respectively. The extra income thus provided assisted these publishing institutions in operating on a viable financial base. But the missionary motivation behind such operations was largely forgotten. When commercial work became nearly all-absorbing and the purpose served was largely monetary, God signified His displeasure in the disastrous fires that destroyed the church's two largest publishing houses. Commercial work stopped after these devastating fires. The policy regarding commercial work today is as follows: “It is recommended that publishing houses equip their institutions with the view of building up denominational printing and eliminating all commercial work.”—General Conference Publishing Department Policies, 20.] A door is thus opened for the communication of the light of truth. PM 160.1

The workmen may think themselves doing only worldly business, when they are engaged in the very work that will call out questions in regard to the faith and principles they hold. If they are of the right spirit they will be able to speak words in season. If the light of heavenly truth and love is in them, it cannot but shine out. The very manner in which they conduct business will make manifest the working of divine principles. Of our workers, the artisans, as of one of old, it may be said: “I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship.” Exodus 31:3.—Testimonies for the Church 7:161, 162. PM 160.2