The Missionary by Stephen N. Haskell

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, Cal. · Jun 18, 1885

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 11, No. 24.

The Missionary.

By Stephen N. Haskell

The Sandwich Islands.

WE arrived at this place at 12:30 A. M. We procured a hack and went directly to the International Tract and Missionary rooms. Here we found Brethren Scott and LaRue well located in a building of five rooms nicely arranged for the purposes designed. Our stay being but three hours we made all the inquiry possible, to gain what information we could concerning the work on this island (Oahu), and the others which surround it. This is the principal island of the group, and while on some of the others there are a goodly number of inhabitants, the most of them are natives. There are a few individuals on these islands who have come from other parts, who gladly receive the truth. These having some influence among the natives, are avenues through which some of the better part of the natives can be reached.

It is very expensive traveling from one island to another. But these islands have been visited by Brother Scott, and the above facts are gathered from his actual experience with the people. At Kauai there is a Government school. One teacher is keeping the Sabbath. The most hopeful island in all the group and where labor can be put forth with a hope of accomplishing the most good, is Oahu, the one on which is the city of Honolulu. If the truth could be established here, from this place it would find its way to all parts of the islands, as there are commercial relations between Honolulu and all the other islands. The mail goes from here, and this is the headquarters of all missionary operations. Thirteen have embraced the Sabbath, and others are interested. These are intelligent half-natives, Germans, and others. They are individuals who either have friends or some financial interests in many of the islands. The people here are, as a rule, a church-going people, and what they have learned from former missionaries has been in the regular method of preaching. There are about 2,000 white people upon this island. It is evident the work has reached a point where a series of meetings would establish the truth; and should meetings not be held there will be great danger that the work which has been so well begun may ravel out.

We are satisfied from our conversation with our brethren here that a tent-meeting would be productive of great good. The people of this city are intelligent, and it needs a laborer who is able to hold a city audience. If such an effort could be made this season here in Honolulu, we see no reason why the work could not be well established. Then those laborers who have been so successful here, might remove to a new field of like character.

Should a church be organized here, and proper instruction given to those who shall have embraced the truth, they would become a light to this group of islands, and by an occasional visit of experienced laborers, this part of the world could be warned of the approaching Judgment. I do not know when we have felt more deeply for any one place than for this, when our brethren related the particular circumstances connected with the work here. Where are the laborers who will come here and pitch a tent this present season? A hall could be secured for a nominal sum, but a tent would be better. The work is already well opened up. It has been in progress for about one year, and the entire place of 15,000 inhabitants has been canvassed.

One class of gifts has done this work. It has been at an expense of about $1,000, and now shall this work suffer because we fail to add a further small outlay which will accomplish far more than has yet been done? Shall this effort be left to finally come to naught for want of additional labor to complete the work?

The beginning of a mission is the most laborious part. Help at the proper time not only saves what has been done, but places the cause upon a footing where it can accomplish the design of God. We appeal to our brethren on the Pacific Coast not to neglect this field. We do not say Pacific Coast because other parts of the country should not feel the same interest, but because that coast is nearer this field. The General Conference will be ready to assist in this mission.

There have been many fields in the States where the interest has been allowed to run down for want of proper attention, but this is different from fields in the States, for there, influences can be brought to bear upon the same people at some subsequent time. But this is a country by itself. If the work ceases here there is no prospect of its ever being started again. Judging from appearance, the present gifts have carried the work about as far as they can without help. In behalf of the cause of present truth, we appeal for a further effort to be put forth here.

Our past experience and the voice of the Spirit of God have been appealing to us not to neglect the work which has been so well begun. In many instances in the past the work has been well started, means have been expended, the hardest of the battle fought, and then by neglect it has been left for Satan to triumph and destroy the good beginning. This is not wise generalship. We should use more wisdom, especially as we near the end. God will hold us responsible for his work on the earth.

These individuals of experience should be left free to go into new fields, and we want scores of young men and women who will enter new fields and begin the work as it has been begun here. Then our preachers should come in and by a combination of the various gifts establish the work in the islands of the sea, and in all such places where the truth has not gone. May God give his people a true burden of the work. There is no one man, nor one class of men, that are perfect in themselves. God can use them to do a certain work; but the church is composed of various gifts, all of which are necessary to successfully carry forward the work. Those who have embraced the truth want to be baptized, and there are many other reasons why a minister should come, but I cannot now mention them.

S. N. H.

Honolulu, H. I., May 18, 1885.