WHAT ARE WE DOING? by Barbara C. Stickney

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Mar 3, 1881

WHAT ARE WE DOING?

By Barbara C. Stickney

BY BARBARA C. STICKNEY.

LET us ask ourselves this question, for the time in which we live and the great work to be wrought call for action; not only from a few or a majority, but from all who expect to hear "well done" from their heavenly Master. Our first work is to get right ourselves; then seek to bring others to a knowlege of the truth, and have them realize the peace and blessedness to be found in the favor of God. But if through selfishness or indifference we fail to consider the interests of those around us, the blood of souls may be required at our hands, and we be cast forth as withered branches.

The words of Christ to his disciples, "Lift up your eyes and look on the fields, for they are white already to the harvest," were uttered as he beheld the approaching multitude, but they are applicable to this time as well. The final harvest is the end of the world which is near at hand, and there are many precious souls whom God designs shall be warned through his servants. The slothful and unprofitable servants will be cast into outer darkness; but to the faithful he will say, "enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." Probably among the refuse that shall be rejected by the angels will be much wheat upon which has fallen rust or mildew, and thus has become blighted and worthless. Our spirituality and favor with God depend upon our activity in his service, and when engaged in this there will be no lack of opportunities as long as probation lasts.

Our vigilant missionary work has opened a field where all may labor; and it is encouraging to know that the cause is advancing through these workers. A brother in Nevada writes that he has been sending the SIGNS to a friend in one of the Southern States about two months, and he has received the following:

"I have completed the articles in your papers in relation to the Sabbath; and must say that I agree with you heartily. I had not considered the matter before, and all the information I have gleaned has tended to strengthen your argument. I have placed the matter before several divines and members of the Y. M. C. Association, of which I am vice-president, and they were at a loss to answer."

Again he writes: "I feel grateful to you for your letters. Being a public school teacher and having nothing to do on Saturday, the Sabbath day, it is easy for me to keep it, but if that were not the case I believe, with the help of God, I would keep it anyhow. Like a soul when first converted, I like to have all men believe as I do. My whole heart is in the work, and I have openly declared my belief to many friends.

"Scatter the seed far and wide that it may bring forth an hundred fold to the honor and glory of God, and may his divine help attend you in all your efforts."

A lady writing from Scotland, after expressing her surprise at receiving the papers, says: "However, I shall do my best toward helping you in your good work, and will be only too pleased if you will continue to send the papers. I have enjoyed the reading of them very much, and will not fail to give them to all my friends in succession. If any of them would like the paper for themselves I will send their address. I would like very much to be engaged in any good work, but never have given it serious thought; but I must do so now since some one else has taken the matter in hand for me."

Thus the good work goes on. "In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand; for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good." But we do know that "He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him."