Be Not Weary in Well-Doing by Stephen Nelson Haskell

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Apr 5, 1883

Be Not Weary in Well-Doing.

By Stephen Nelson Haskell

BY ELD. S. N. HASKELL.

THERE are many forcible expressions in the Scriptures which show the importance of Christ's followers laboring for the salvation of others. The Scriptures also clearly indicate that it is not those efforts which outwardly appear to be the greatest which accomplish the most good. There is an unseen providence which shapes circumstances and controls events, thus making our efforts fruitful. God gives success more in proportion to the love we have than the amount we do. The widow's two mites were recorded by the angels as more than the "much" which was cast into the treasury by the rich men. For this reason all who have the love of God in the heart should ever labor with hope and courage, however small and weak their efforts.

Several years ago some unknown person sent the SIGNS OF THE TIMES to friends in Massachusetts, who made no use of it, not even reading a single page. Finally they moved away, and in time occupied a house in which a family had lived who also had received the SIGNS, but apparently without any good result. It so happened that the last two pages of one number were left in the house, and the family above referred to found them. Curiosity led the wife to read them, and, not knowing what paper it was, she became deeply interested in it, so that after re-reading and calling her husband's attention to it, she laid it carefully away, where it remained some two years, when it was found and read again.

"Husband," said she one day, "we ought to take a religious paper," and proposed sending for the SIGNS OF THE TIMES. "That is an Adventist paper, you do not want that," was the prompt reply. They then noticed the advertisement of the Review and Herald, and, after sending for a sample number, subscribed for it. Its weekly visits became more and more welcome. They sent for tracts and books, which were eagerly perused, and which led them to study the Bible as they had never done before.

About last Christmas the wife decided that she could no longer break the Sabbath of the Lord, and quietly commenced to observe it. Her husband returning from his work found her studying her Sabbath-school lesson. "It seems like Sunday here," he remarked. "Not Sunday, but the Sabbath," was the response. These words were accompanied by the Holy Spirit to his heart, and he could not forget them. He invited his employer to call upon him the next day, so that he might inform him of his intention to keep the Sabbath. As they had other company, this conversation was postponed until the following Sunday, when he stated his convictions, adding that he had decided not to break another Sabbath, and that he presumed that his services would not be wanted longer. Said his employer, "If these are your honest sentiments I will not lay a straw in your way," and his work was continued. The next Sabbath he observed with his wife.

They had never made a profession of religion, but now the family altar was erected, and he became convicted with reference to some useless habits, such as the use of tobacco. Could he chew the weed to the glory of God? Was it spending the money which God's providence had given him for that which would honor and glorify His Creator? He renounced the filthy habit, and found peace in so doing.

He also felt that God had claims upon him with respect to temporal matters, and that he should acknowledge his goodness in providing for his physical wants. "Ye have robbed me," says the prophet. His heart was tender, and he believed God. He therefore commenced "upon the first day of the week to lay aside as God had prospered him"; and from that time forward he conscientiously laid aside one tithe of what he received for his support, thus fulfilling the instructions of Christ in Luke 11:42; Matt. 23:23.