p. 211 | Elder Haskell's Address by Stephen Nelson Haskell

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · May 4, 1882

Elder Haskell's Address.

By Stephen Nelson Haskell

[ Read before the Annual Meeting of the Publishing Association in Oakland, April 24, 1882.]

DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS CONVENED IN ANNUAL MEETING: I would gladly meet with you in your meeting, were circumstances such that I could remain with you and labor in the State the coming season; but it seems to be duty that I should be elsewhere. I will therefore write a few lines expressive of a few thoughts which I would communicate by word of mouth were I present. There is no portion of the field in which I have ever labored with greater faith, hope, and courage, than in California; neither is there any which I would prefer to it as my field of labor, if this was God's will. (1) California presents advantages for spreading the truth to all parts of the world second to no part of the wide harvest-field. (2) Our brethren have done nobly in their missionary work, in building meeting houses in the cities of Oakland and San Francisco, but especially in sustaining our publishing work. (3) They have ever manifested a willingness to co-operate in every laudable enterprise which had for its object the advancement of the cause. (4) There is no portion of the harvest-field where the providence of God has been more marked in seconding the efforts of his people than on the Pacific Coast. In view of these facts there is no worthy laborer who would complain of the California field. We cannot say that in all the past management in the interests of the Publishing Association with the change of managers, who were not able to carry out each other's ideas, the wisest course has always been taken. Notwithstanding this, our brethren have done nobly in sustaining the Association.

Within the last few years God has signally blessed the efforts of the Association. Our brethren, therefore, have much reason to be encouraged. The improvements which have been made since Bro. W. C. White came to the coast, in raising the main office building and placing in it a new press, with other improvements at a cost of not less than $8,000, have been necessary. In fact it would have been impossible to accomplish what has been accomplished without them, and they are improvements from which a benefit is derived every day the office is in operation.

But if we had not had the utmost confidence in the integrity of our brethren and their willingness to lift to the extent of their ability in an emergency, these improvements would not have been made while the Association was so much embarrassed as it was. But I have not known a word of murmuring from any one who comprehended the case. The improvements made are sufficient for the purposes designed. No more large expense will be necessary for the present unless it is for a press to meet the increasing demand for work. Within the past three years there has been a great saving to the office in the matter of interest. We are happy to state at the present time there is no interest paid over eight per cent., whereas three years ago we were paying as high, in some instances, as eighteen per cent., and this compounded monthly. For this we have reason to thank God.

It is no small honor to have God intrust to us institutions of such importance as have been intrusted to our brethren in California. The great question now is, What is our duty under these circumstances? (I say our, for I feel that I am one among you although so far away.) Not only has the Publishing Association claims upon our interests, but the school and Health Retreat which God's providence seems to indicate should be established in your midst, will demand the most serious attention of our brethren and sisters. These institutions will require a large outlay of means. We should never forget that God's special help in his work comes when we have gone as far as we can. You cannot expect that the Association will free itself by its own exertions. This would not be as God would have it. It has even greater claims upon the liberalities of our brethren than other institutions, for our publishing work is the right hand of our strength, and if it should not prosper, our other institutions could not be sustained. Were the few having charge of it to wear their lives away in laboring to free it from its present embarrassment without the friends of the cause co-operating with their means and prayers, the burden would not be equally divided.

While the greater economy should be used in the institution, and a self-sacrificing spirit manifested on the part of all connected with it, our brethren should feel that their interest is centered there, and that it is a privilege for them to share in the sacrifice required to lift it from all embarrassment. It should not owe a dollar to parties outside of our own brethren, and the real indebtedness should be lifted by the taking of stock. We cannot look for one or two wealthy men to lift this load and carry it, although should the sum of $100,000 be deposited in the office, every dollar could at once be used in the different branches of the work without any waste, and still God's providence would so enlarge the work that as much more might be used in carrying forward the truth. But there are many in California who have never taken stock in the Association. They own no shares; and there are those who have taken five or ten shares whom God has prospered, and who are able to take more. This matter should be set before our brethren on the Pacific Coast, and a special effort made to raise stock in the Association not less than $25,000 in addition to what has already been taken. Should each representative man in the several churches put forth an effort in this direction it might be done. In the second place it should become a place of deposit. There should be not less than $25,000 placed on deposit without interest with which to do business and assist new enterprises until such times as our brethren are able to pay their pledges to the different enterprises.

This may seem to some to be a large amount to raise at once, but many of our brethren have outstanding notes which might be collected, or small deposits in banks where it is not as safe as it would be in the Association, and were these matters agitated among our friends so that they could see and realize the nature of the case, this amount might be raised within a few weeks. This money should be loaned to the Association at a very low rate of interest, or, what would be better, without any. As matters now are, every power of the Association is taxed to its utmost in order to do job work so that the debts of the Association may be lifted and our brethren encouraged. But our denominational works should stand first, job work secondary, always. But when this is done it does not pay as well as outside work. Oftentimes large profitable contracts are on hand so that for a time our denominational work does not receive the attention it otherwise would. This necessitates some such plan as I have suggested to free the Association from embarrassment. We hope our brethren will weigh this matter and act accordingly.

You could not have better men connected with our publishing interests than are now connected with them. I refer to those having charge of the several departments, and your business manager, Bro. W. C. White. These men possess valuable gifts and should be appreciated by our brethren and sisters. Sustain them with your prayers, and the institution with your means. This we believe our brethren will do, but it should be made more of a specialty in the future. There is not a family of our people on the coast who should not feel an interest in this, and not only feel an interest but practically show it in the manner above suggested.

Another consideration should not be forgotten which is second to no other, viz., the object for which the institution was founded. It was to carry the light to every city, village, neighborhood, and family on the coast, as well as to all parts of the world. Our publications, like leaves of autumn, should come before the people, and their attention called to the truths of the Third Angel's Message. This institution was founded for that purpose, and the object should never be lost sight of. There should be colporters in every village, and there should not be a family, whose attention is not called to present truth, and an effort made to have them receive it. This should not be done in a haphazard manner, but systematic efforts should be put forth. The S. B. funds should be sacredly guarded for the purposes for which they are raised. The more sacredly they are held the more perfectly the mind of God's Spirit is met.

God is willing to work for California, and in proportion as we put our hand to the work with earnestness and zeal, God will co-operate with us. Human efforts of themselves will accomplish comparatively nothing; but when the mind goes out after the work of God so as to take in what God designs to be accomplished by this work in the world, then, in proportion as we throw ourselves into the work, we shall see the Lord leading out before us. We earnestly pray that the hands of our brethren may not slacken, but that God may raise up more laborers, and we be able to take in more fully the nature of the work, by laying plans and carrying them forward with courage. The cloud is rising in California. God is trusting his people with important institutions with which to carry forward his work.

I cannot write all I would be glad to say, but can say this: The cloud has arisen larger than a man's hand, and there is a sound of an abundance of rain. Prepare for a great work, and work with courage and an untiring zeal. You have lost a valuable man by Brother Chapman's death. But there are others who should step in and work as faithfully as he. I have but one idea to suggest as to your election. You can have no better man for President, than he who has filled the position of Vice-President, and you on the spot can select others of your number who, you have reason to believe, would be the best men. May God give you the spirit of true wisdom in all your deliberations. Yours in love and hope, S. N. HASKELL.