The Cause Is Onward by S. N. Haskell

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 13, 1874

The Cause Is Onward.

By S. N. Haskell

We have only to open our eyes to existing facts to see the progress and advancement of this work. By progress or advancement we do not mean that the multitudes will be converted and the masses turn to God. Far from that. From Rev. 7 and 14 we learn that the entire number that are to be redeemed from the earth when the Lord comes will be but a hundred and forty and four thousand, which would make but about one in ten thousand, admitting the general estimate of the present number of inhabitants in the world to be 1,300,000,000.

We ask, then, What shall we look for as evidences of the progress of this work if it is not in the conversion of the masses? What particular items can we look to as evidences that this work is going forward? I answer, first, in the spread of this truth, and secondly, the oneness that will exist among those who receive the truth. It would be folly in the extreme to suppose that the people of God or the honest-hearted were confined to any one sect or nation. But in every part of the world where the principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ are to any extent cherished at the present day, there we shall find those who have hearts to receive that truth which will prepare them for the great day of God.

It would be equally foolish to believe that God had revealed in his word a message of warning of a Judgment to the inhabitants of this world, and it not lead the people to see eye to eye. Therefore we expect as we look over the world to see individuals in every nation, among every kindred, tongue, and people, not only becoming inclined to the Sabbath reform, but we expect to see a drawing together; not by any especial pressure brought to bear upon the mind, but the same Spirit that will lead men and women to God in America will do the same in England, in Scotland, in Ireland, and everywhere.

Selfishness leads to bigotry, a narrow mindedness, and exclusiveness. It is “me and mine.” It is a feeling that unless they follow us, they cannot be Christ’s disciples. This narrowness of feeling must be entirely laid aside and give room for the Spirit of God to work. It is God’s work and not man’s. Therefore God must lead in it. There are principles of righteousness which God makes tests of character, and when men are governed by these principles, they will voluntarily come together.

The disciples once found one that was casting out devils in the name of Christ, and they forbade him because he followed not them. Here was the same work being performed in which the Saviour and the disciples were engaged. And the Spirit of God had united them as far as the general work was concerned. Immediately preceding the second coming of Christ the truth will break out all over the world. It will lead people to adopt the same principles and practice, and to the same preparation of heart. Thus they will be united upon the principles of God’s moral government. This will be voluntary.

It is with the greatest joy that we witness these evidences at the present day in connection with the work of the third angel’s message of Rev. 14. Wherever the publications go, an effect is produced. Some become interested in the Sabbath reform and the subject of the near coming of Christ.

A letter was received from Glasgow, Scotland, a few days since, from a lady whose attention had recently been called to these subjects by reading. She writes, “I thank you heartily for the kind interest you have shown and for the papers and tracts you sent me. They interested me very much, especially the one which points out the fact that railways are a fulfillment of ancient prophecy. This never struck me so before, although I had read the prophecy referred to. One of the other tracts you sent me, namely, ‘Scripture References,’ is a particularly useful tract, and I am very glad to have it. I like the ADVENT REVIEW, and would gladly be a subscriber if I were able.” (The REVIEW has since been sent.)

And so it is everywhere the rays of light reach. There are honest hearts the world over; and when publications reach these precious souls, they will rejoice in the light.

The following from the Signs of the Times, the paper published on the Pacific Coast, is very much to the point:—

“We say, place a copy of the paper in the hands of every candid person that you think would read it. You cannot tell what the result may be. Only yesterday we heard of a brother in this State who understood the benefit to be derived from reading, and whenever he had an opportunity would place a tract in the hand of a friend with the request that he would read it. What was the result? When Eld. Loughborough came through that section, there were five souls requested baptism who had embraced the truth without hearing a sermon. But that is not all. Bro. Young received some tracts at the hand of this brother and was convinced of the truth. Well, he has been at work scattering the tracts; and now he writes to Eld. Loughborough stating that five have embraced the truth through reading tracts that he has given them, and asks advice about starting a Bible-class. And thus the work is going on, and these are the reports we are receiving from all over the land.

“Cheering reports are coming in of the advancement of the cause from all quarters. The report of the Michigan camp-meeting is truly encouraging; as also the reports of Elds. Loughborough, Canright and Van Horn. Since these reports have been received, we have received later word by letter from quite a number. We have the report of good camp-meetings in the Eastern States.

“Eld. Cornell is now in Guenoc, Lake Co., Cal. It is a place of but nine houses. Taking a circle of four miles in each direction there are but forty families, yet from the first his audience has averaged seventy-five.

“He went at the request of the only Sabbath-keeper in the vicinity. Five more had been reading our publications, and as soon as they understood the nature of the lectures that were to be given and had conversed with Bro. Cornell, they took their stand and kept their first Sabbath.

“Eld. Van Horn writes, Sept. 3: Our tent has now been pitched two weeks in Weston, Umatilla Co., Oregon. The interest is good and the attendance good for so small a place. We hope for good results.

“Bro. Loughborough reports: I have closed the tent meeting at Vallejo. Organized S. B. for the little company there amounting to $153.50 per year. A delegate was chosen to represent their company in our Conference, and a resolution passed by them requesting the watchcare of the Cal. Conference.”

It is our duty to sow the seed. Sow it in love, and with God’s blessing fruit will be seen in the kingdom of God.

S. N. HASKELL.