To the Brethren West by S. N. Haskell

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 10, 1874

To the Brethren West.

By S. N. Haskell

If nothing in the providence of God prevents, I shall leave for the West so that I can be in the State of New York March 14 and 15. From thence to Michigan, where I will remain until the State quarterly meeting. While in that State, I will hold meetings where Bro. Root may appoint. Then I will visit other Conferences, holding one meeting or more in each Conference, as may be desired.

One object in visiting these Conferences is to assist the brethren in their tract and missionary work. Therefore, at each meeting held in the several Conferences, there should be a quarterly meeting of the Tract Society. And the last meeting held in each State should be a GENERAL quarterly meeting. In fact, it would be almost useless for me to visit these Conferences, as far as the Tract Society is concerned, unless the reports of labor are brought in; for it is by these reports that we learn what is being accomplished. There should be at these meetings a general rally of the friends of the cause, and especially of the OFFICERS of the Tract Society.

Arrangements may also be made to hold week-day meetings at such places as it is thought best for the interest of the cause. But if it be a district quarterly tract meeting, it should not be less than a two-days’ meeting; and a three-days’ meeting would be better.

The matter of a general organization, that will unite the Tract Societies under one head, will be considered at these meetings; and we hope such steps will be taken that the matter of a general organization may be effected at the next session of the General Conference. Therefore, these meetings will be important. No ordinary obstacle, such as wind or storm, will prevent my attending; and I expect the same promptness on the part of the brethren and sisters.

Come, friends, make one grand rally in the name of the Lord to rise in this work. The time has fully come when farms and merchandise should be secondary. “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness” is the only way of securing the promise that “all these [temporal] things shall be added unto you.” God calls upon us to arise and seek him with all our hearts, and enter the vineyard of the Lord and labor for the salvation of others.

Other nations are extending their arms toward us, earnestly desiring the blessings of that light which God in his merciful providence has committed to us. From every part of this enlightened land, the Macedonian cry, “Come over and help us,” is heard. Souls are perishing all around us for want of knowledge. And what are we doing to supply these calls? Now is the time to place ourselves in that relation to God’s cause and work that whenever the cloud arises we shall all be prepared to move forward in perfect harmony, like a well-disciplined army.

I am not prepared to state in just what order I shall visit the different Conferences, as that should be governed somewhat by the time of the general quarterly meetings in the various Conferences. But I would suggest the following order: Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, and perhaps Missouri and Kansas; then Illinois and Indiana on my return. These are only suggestions. I shall be pleased to correspond with the officers of the Tract Societies concerning this matter. While in the East, my address is South Lancaster, Mass.; when in the West, Battle Creek, Michigan.

S. N. HASKELL.