MISSIONARY WORK by Stephen Nelson Haskell

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · May 20, 1880

MISSIONARY WORK.

By Stephen Nelson Haskell

NOTHING is reliable in this life but the cause of God. Every investment made in it will bring its sure reward. Banks may fail, stocks go down, and life be filled with perplexity, until man returns to his earth. But to have a well grounded hope in God, a life devoted to the cause of Christ and then amid the conflagration of this world, while a thousand will fall on the right hand and on the left, the Christian can say, "My reward is safe. It is laid up in the kingdom of God. Moth cannot corrupt it. Thieves cannot break through and steal."

The present system of missionary work affords each an opportunity to enter the harvest field and gather sheaves for his Master. Not a mission has been opened in Europe, save the work in Switzerland, but was opened by reading matter sent from this country. Somebody sent it, and somebody, if faithful, will receive the reward.

We never fully realized the importance of our vigilant missionary work. It opens a field for our sisters where each can bear a part. Many whose home duties confine them with their families, can take a few copies of the SIGNS, and re-mail them as they have opportunity. Then take it all to God in prayer, and with a heart made tender by the sweet influence of God's Spirit, write a Christian letter. This will favorably impress the receiver. To receive a letter from a stranger, and to think somebody cared for their souls, and would take so much interest as to send a few papers and write them a letter, will accomplish in some cases what nothing else will.

The variety of reading matter in the pioneer sheet the SIGNS OF THE TIMES, is ten times better to make the first impression than a denominational tract. We have a few V. M. Societies who have taken the burden of the work upon them. They have disciplined themselves, in some cases spent nights in prayer, that God would direct their efforts and guide them in writing. They have practiced the most rigid economy that they might pay for their papers, secure postage money, and thus add their feeble efforts to spread the truths of the third angel's message. Such have been successful. The leading spirits in each successful V. M. Society know what it is to bear cases on their hearts before God. And God has condescended to accept their efforts. Such societies cannot pay for what SIGNS they can use. Individuals who have thus disciplined themselves in the cause of God have become successful workmen. There are a number of individuals of my acquaintance who find interested readers for over one hundred copies weekly. One well organized Vigilant Society will accomplish more than a whole State without one. Michigan takes 1600 copies of the SIGNS; Battle Creek V. M. Society uses 500 of these. The State of California takes 1500. Yet the vigilant workers in two churches take over one third of these. One Society in the N. E. Conference takes one third of all sent to it, and that Conference ranks the third in the country in the numbers of copies of the SIGNS taken. Minnesota ranks the fourth in the list. In view of these facts we urge upon our brethren and sisters the importance of educating themselves in this branch of the work. There is not a church in the land but should educate themselves in the work of God. No mechanic is a journeyman till he learns the trade. No minister is successful until he gains an experience. No church can be strong and successful in the missionary work till they discipline themselves by systematic labor.

What one church does another can do. Brethren and sisters, try it, and God will bless your labors. The cause is worthy of our most earnest efforts. S. N. HASKELL.