Institute Work in California by Stephen Nelson Haskell

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · May 19, 1910

Institute Work in California

By Stephen Nelson Haskell

Two workers’ institutes have been held in the Northern California Conference thus far this year, and it is planned to hold several others during the season. We hold these institutes in our largest churches, and send special invitations to all neighboring churches to attend, the members of the large church usually entertaining the visiting brethren.

Each institute continues ten days, beginning on Friday at 9 A. M. By beginning on Friday, the people learn something of the character of the work before the first Sabbath; and if those who attend are pleased with it, they advertise it widely, so that by 9 A. M. on Sunday there is usually a good audience ready for study and work.

We make the study of the Bible a prominent feature in all our institute work. It does not make any difference how active an individual may be in the Lord’s work, if he does not study his Bible, his work does not gather many souls.

Our forenoon sessions extend from 9 to 12 A. M. and are usually divided into four periods. The first three periods are devoted to Bible study on practical subjects of a nature to develop Christian character, “establish the faith of the doubting, and give certainty to the glorious future.”—“Early Writings,” pages 53, 54. We plan to study different lines of thought, and to close all periods on time. A variety of topics, presented by different speakers, with singing during the intermissions, breaks the monotony, and all are interested. During the first two or three days the

fourth period is spent in discussing the importance of the various lines of missionary work, and about the third day the company is divided during this period. Those interested in the book canvassing work receive instruction from our field director of the book work; those interested in selling our various periodicals are also given instruction; while the remainder are taught to work with tracts from door to door. The afternoons are left free, and it is interesting to notice how the members get to work.

At our last institute a sister who had never thought she could do missionary work, went out and sold eighteen copies of “Our Paradise Home” in three afternoons. Another sister who thought she could not do much, but who worked a short time in the afternoon for five days, sold over two hundred periodicals. These, with others who for the first time tasted the joy of placing literature in the hands of the people, resolved to continue in the good work.

The evening sessions of our first institute were devoted to practical instruction on health and temperance, while those of our last institute were occupied by the secretaries of our Sabbath-school and Educational departments, who gave valuable and timely instruction on these subjects.

Our missionary secretary is present at all our institutes with a large supply of books, tracts, and the various periodicals. Tables covered with an assortment of this literature are placed in the church. We make special reductions on books for those who wish to buy in quantities, thus giving the lay members an opportunity to follow the instruction given in the “Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. IX, page 72.

During the two institutes we have held this spring, $876 worth of books, tracts, and periodicals was bought by those attending, with the determination to scatter them in their immediate neighborhoods. We firmly believe the statement of Holy Writ, “He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.” 2 Cor. 9:6.

For years we have looked forward to the time when a “thousand would be converted in a day,” and the work close in triumph; but all do not consider that when a “thousand are converted in a day,” it will be the result of bountiful sowing at the present time. We quote from the last paragraph of Chapter XXXVIII in “Great Controversy” in regard to the closing work, as follows:—

“The seed has been sown, and now it will spring up and bear fruit. The publications distributed by missionary workers have exerted their influence, yet many whose minds were impressed have been prevented from fully comprehending the truth, or from yielding obedience. Now the rays of light penetrate everywhere, the truth is seen in its clearness, and the honest children of God sever the bands which have held them.” God grant that our people everywhere will realize the importance of scattering our publications “like the leaves of autumn,” remembering that “he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.”

S. N. HASKELL, Pres. Cal. Conf.