The Missionary by S. N. Haskell

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jan 27, 1881

The Missionary.

By S. N. Haskell

PRAYER AND LABOR.

BY ELD. S. N. HASKELL.

THE absence of earnest, heart-felt prayer in connection with missionary work is the reason why much labor is unfruitful. Says the Saviour, “Without me ye can do nothing.” The efficiency of prayer was taught by him, both by precept and example. “Hitherto ye have asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive,” were words addressed to his disciples. Prayer was ever mingled with his labors, and in this he is our example. With strong cries and tears he poured out his soul unto God, and was heard. Was it in his own behalf, that he might receive honor and glory, that his prayers often ascended all night long from the solitude of the mountains? Nay, verily. It was for the human family, for its individual members. And we, who profess to be his representatives, to have partaken of his spirit, shall we not feel for others? If we do not, our profession is vain, we have not the mind that was in Christ.

“He that goeth forth, and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.” This language indicates great earnestness and deep feeling, such as it would be impossible to disconnect with earnest prayer. It is those whose burden for souls is so great that they will, with tears, plead with God for his blessing, who here have the promise of sheaves in return for their labor. They go forth, they do something, and with this doing they connect a tearful, anxious solicitude for those who are the recipients of their efforts. Again, “they that sow in tears shall reap in joy.”

The following extract from a private letter received a short time since, while interesting in other respects, gives a good illustration of the efficiency of prayer in connection with missionary labor:—

“I never had much idea as to where Christ’s kingdom was to be until I found about a year ago, from reading the Restitution and comparing its assertions with the Bible, that it was to be on the earth. I had been told by so-called “reverends” that it was in Heaven, but was not satisfied about it, and of myself could get no definite basis to work on. I became dissatisfied with the manner in which our Sunday-school was conducted, and remained at home Sundays and read my Bible studiously. I commenced again the study where my mother, at her knee, commenced teaching me, viz., at the twentieth chapter of Exodus. Then I compared the whole ten commandments with the teachings of Christ and the apostles in the New Testament, and, strange as it may appear, I could not find that any of them had been changed or annulled in any way. I decided that I would try to live better than in the past, and I prayed that God would give me light, and help me to follow more nearly in the footsteps of Jesus.

“After several days of anguish and anxiety I determined to talk with the different ministers and get their views. Accordingly I saw Methodist, Presbyterian, and Episcopal ministers, but could get no consolation. The next Sunday I was alone in my office, and, after communing with God in prayer and tears, it seemed to me that a great burden had been lifted from my mind and heart. Something prompted me to go and see Mr. ——. I had heard Elders —— and —— speak here in a tent four or five years ago, and knew that Mr. —— was a S. D. Adventist. So I called on him, and in conversation, asked him if he thought there was such a thing as the Holy Spirit leading a man to the truth or helping him in deciding. He said, Yes. I then told him my history, my prayers and desires. He actually shed tears for joy. Said he, ‘We have been praying for you for weeks. At our prayer-meetings we have for some time made you a subject of special prayer.’ This was all news to me. All these weeks I had been striving for light, and they had been pleading for me also.

“I had a long talk with Bro. —— on the Sabbath, the kingdom, baptism, etc. I worked the next Sabbath, however, but it seemed to me as if I was not doing right. The next day, Sunday, I went to see Bro. —— again, and told him that I had come to the conclusion that I must keep the Sabbath and that by so doing I would probably

lose my situation which brought me $60.00 per month. We prayed to God to guide me in this matter. I requested an interview with my employer, who was a superintendent of a railroad. This was granted, and I told him what my convictions were and handed in my resignation, telling him that I did not suppose my services would be longer needed if I did not work on Saturday. We talked for an hour and a half, and before we parted he said: ‘Mr. —— I am glad you were frank in this matter, and you have not lowered yourself in my estimation. I shall not accept of your resignation. You can report your salary at the end of the month as $60.00, the same as usual, and I will furnish a man to take your place Saturdays, and will pay him for that day.’ So I did not lose anything in a financial point of view.

“I work six days in the office each week, yet some days I have thirty minutes to an hour leisure. This time I devote to the cause of truth. I have only been in the faith seven short months yet I have from time to time sent out hundreds of papers, Signs, Reviews, Instructors, College Records, Good Healths, tracts, etc. God is good in giving me the Sabbath, and allowing me to retain my situation. I pay the tithe and spend from four to nine dollars per month for missionary purposes. I am sending out now about one hundred papers per week. On these I only pay postage, as friends have kindly donated the papers. When they are gone I will go down into my pocket-book and find some more.”