The Missionary by S. N. Haskell

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Nov 22, 1883

The Missionary.

By S. N. Haskell

Bible-Reading Institute.

THE Institute for instruction in Bible-reading commenced at Battle Creek, Mich., Oct. 30, and has continued with increasing interest to the present time. It is the largest gathering of our leading brethren from different parts of the country that we have ever had. Over three hundred have joined the class, and the Bible-readings have created an unusual interest. The subjects presented thus far have been, the Sabbath, the question of tithes and offerings, the coming of Christ, and the perpetuity of spiritual gifts. Among the subjects mentioned none has created a greater interest, nor shone forth more clearly from the sacred page than has the one last named. Not only has it been proven that the Scriptures clearly teach the perpetuity of Spiritual gifts, and that there will be manifestations in the last days, but also that the gift of prophecy has ever been manifested, from time to time, in connection with the people of God, and will be seen especially in the closing work of the gospel. A common expression has been, "We never before saw such evidence on this point."

One feature of the meetings, making them of unusual interest, has been, while considering the question of Spiritual gifts and applying the various Scripture tests whereby the true are distinguished from the false, the fact that there are present many living witnesses who testify that they have seen these tests verified in instances where this gift has been manifested in connection with the work of God in our time. The Scriptures teach that those having visions from God do not breathe while they are in vision. Dan. 10 : 17. And that they are as dependent on the Spirit of God to bring to their minds what they had seen as to give the vision in the first place. Instances were related where this particular test had been applied, and there were twenty-three living witnesses who bore testimony to having seen the same.

The attendance at these meetings has increased from a congregation of a few hundred persons, principally ministers and delegates, to over one thousand, including many of the citizens of this city. The Bible-readings will be continued, more or less, through the Conference, and will be conducted by different ministers from various parts of the field who will prepare lessons to present.

The order of exercises at present is a special meeting of the ministers at 5:30 A. M., to seek God for a fitting up for his sacred work; a general meeting of like nature from 8 to 9 A. M.; Bible-readings from 9 to 10:15 A. M.; a meeting to consider the general wants of the cause from 10:30 to 12 M. In the afternoon a missionary meeting is held from 2 to 3 o'clock; and from 3 to 4 instruction is given in canvassing for "Thoughts on Daniel and the Revelation," by Bro. Geo. King; and from 4:15 to 5:30, Bro. W. J. Boynton instructs a class in the Signs canvass. Another Bible-reading from 7 to 8:30, which sometimes continues until after 9 o'clock, completes the day's programme.

Sr. White attends many of the meetings that pertain to the general interests of the cause, and her testimony was never more free and apparently accompanied by the Spirit of God than it is at present.

The General Conference convened Thursday, Nov. 8, at 9 A. M. Seventy delegates holding credentials, representing twenty-two Conferences and two missions in America, took seats in the Conference. The English, German, and Scandinavian missions were also represented. An interesting address was given by Elder Geo. I. Butler, President of the General Conference. He presented the general condition of the cause and the necessity of our people taking advance steps. Missions should be established in all the principal cities in this country. Immediate steps should be taken to establish at least four additional papers in Europe; a Swedish, German, Italian and English. At a subsequent meeting the various Conferences presented maps drawn for the purpose, showing where there are churches and scattered Sabbath-keepers in each Conference, and the field yet unoccupied. Interesting statistics were given, showing the rise and progress of the cause in the various States. This at a glance brought before the minds of the brethren the work to be accomplished by those who believe in the Third Angel's Message.

Elder Loughborough spoke of the wants of the cause in England. Bro. Rasqvist, who has just arrived from Sweden, gave a very interesting account of the work there, and of his experience in connection with it. He is a young man, has preached about three years, and has been instrumental in raising up several good churches in Sweden. The first of these was organized at Gnuttehethel and has at present a membership of fifty-eight. In Stockholm there is also a company, with other churches in other parts of Sweden. This country has a State Church, the head of the church being the king of Sweden. There are thirteen bishopricks, with a bishop over each, and an archbishop over the whole. These various bishopricks constitute a Chief Council, under which there are subordinate councils which look after the religious interests throughout the country. These councils can forbid any one preaching whose views are not in harmony with the State Church. In the good providence of God the truth had secured quite a strong foothold in Sweden before attempts were made by officials of the State Church to arrest its progress. Bitter opposition, however, finally came, and Bro. Rasqvist was brought to trial, condemned, and sentenced to pay a fine of fifty crowns, or be imprisoned and live on bread and water. Not thinking it right to pay the fine, and also not being able to do so, he was thrust in midwinter into a cold prison, his own clothes taken from him, and a thinner prison-suit given in place of them; and thus he was left to suffer for his faith, and for preaching the truth of God. Bro. Rasqvist experienced much of God's presence while in prison, and to use his own words, "Angels of God were all around me while I was there." On being released a much greater interest was manifested to hear the truth, and the people wanted to see the man whom the priests had caused to be imprisoned.

Just before Bro. R. left to come to this country, a second attempt was made for his arrest. Thus we can see that the spirit of the dragon is stirred, and, as John declares, makes war with the remnant church, who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. Rev. 12:17. The conflict is coming closer and closer; the last solemn message is doing its work, and ere long the captivity of the people of God will be turned, and they will stand triumphant on Mount Zion.

Oct. 9, 1883. S. N. HASKELL.