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The Missionary

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Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · May 10, 1883

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 9, No. 18.

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The Missionary.

By Stephen N. Haskell

Missionary Work on the West India Islands.

BY ELD. S. N. HASKELL.
The International Missionary Society has sought out openings for our publications, and has supplied them to almost every civilized nation in the world. Those individuals who have become interested in the truth have not only received their publications directly from the society, but from its agents residing where those publications could be more readily sent to all parts of the world. As a result of this effort, there are individuals and small companies in these different nations and in the islands of the sea, who are not only observing the Sabbath, but who are actively engaged as preachers and missionary workers. When we hear from these workers we bid them God speed; and as their difficulties and afflictions in their efforts to spread the truth are made known, the sympathy of thousands who are engaged in the same work in the United States as well as in other places should be extended to them.
Two or three years ago there was upon the island of Tobago, one of the West India Islands, a small company who loved the truth, and who organized themselves into a missionary society, and became active workers. The following letter is from the leading one of these workers. He has received our publications from Southampton, England, and from this country, for a number of years. Elder Loughborough and the Secretary of the International Society have had continued correspondence with him. Last fall for some reason no letters were received from him, and the club of SIGNS which had been regularly sent him from the International Society was discontinued at the beginning of this year. But since receiving the following letter, the SIGNS has again been sent him, and money has also been forwarded from the International Society to his wife who is now in affliction upon one island, while her husband is sick upon another, having gone thither to do missionary work. Those who have donated freely to the missionary society can form an idea from what follows of how some of their means is expended. We have written the foregoing that the reader may have some knowledge of this case, and of what is being done upon these islands. The brother who wrote this letter is now at a lunatic asylum.
TO THE OFFICERS OF THE GENERAL TRACT AND MISSIONARY SOCIETY OF THE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS. — Worthy Brethren and Sisters in the Lord: As I now feel able I will write you. For the last three months I have been an invalid. This is to inform you that I have received, by post, “Thoughts on Daniel,” etc. I thought of taking a tour over to this British settlement to the united churches at — have entirely withstood me. I came to obtain subscribers for the SIGNS OF THE TIMES, and to sell such books as I ordered before. Many of their congregations had ordered books which they took for a few days and then returned, saying that their minister threatened to expel them from the church if they purchased any books from me. These books I took with me to this place. I arrived by Packet, Jan. 28, 1883.
On the evening of the 25th inst., had conversation with a few natives, when it was agreed that they would purchase these books. Next Lord’s day I reasoned with a few on the necessity of the new birth, and arranged to explain the decalogue on the nights of the following week. When I reached the fourth commandment as illustrated by works furnished me by Eld. Loughborough showing the different days of the week from the creation down to the present time, I endeavored to point out to the few gathered together the necessity of obeying the decalogue just as it was given from Mount Sinai, by a voice irrevocable, so that the mountain quaked. I tried to impress the mind with the importance of keeping all of God’s commandments, together with the faith of Jesus Christ.
When I reached my third evening, and was pointing out the great change that has taken place in the fourth commandment, and by what power it was done, I was attacked by a mob and beaten with sticks. I knocked senseless, and then taken up and carried direct to the lunatic asylum. Here I remained four days before I had any consciousness. The doctors did their utmost for me. February 1, my consciousness returned, yet I shall not be able to leave the asylum at present.
I have not received any publications since last January. My lonely wife in — suffers with me, having a young child and no help from those owing me, and the crop which I depended on to pay for books received from Southampton, likewise postage on the same, was entirely left to spoil, and no help from either side. I am therefore at the mercy of the public asylum, and they will keep me until I am able to care for myself. I would therefore apply to your society for help, requesting that they will continue my papers, and also send me a little help for my poor wife at my old residence, who suffers for want of my care.
Dear brethren in Christ, I can with all confidence say that it is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes. It is a trial of my faith, but with all these around me I count it but doing for the glory that is in Christ Jesus. While I write, tears trickle down my face, yet they are not tears of anguish, but of joy. My heart rises above this dreary wilderness, and I say, How I long to be there! But when I look back and see that I have done nothing in the vineyard of my Lord, I blush to think that the crown of life for which I am striving will be starless; no trophies to shine as the morning stars in all their glory; no souls gained for my Lord. But with Eli of old would say, “It is the Lord, let him do what seemeth him good.”
Dear brethren and sisters, pray for me; and with your prayers send what little help you can, that I may be enabled to go from the asylum as soon as possible. All books, tracts, and SIGNS are lost, and I myself left alone. Please transfer, for the time being, all my papers to this place, that they may be of comfort to me as long as I remain in the asylum. I cannot say when the doctors will dismiss me so that I may do missionary work, even in the asylum. I shall want to hear from you as quickly as possible. I am your brother in Christ Jesus. March 22, 1883. J. R. B.