The Missionary by S. N. Haskell

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Apr 26, 1883

The Missionary.

By S. N. Haskell

The True Spirit of Labor.

BY ELD. S. N. HASKELL.

THE eleventh and twelfth chapters of Second Corinthians can be studied with much profit. The apostle here enumerates some of the conflicts and sufferings which he endured for Christ's sake. The early church is commended for its zeal as no other church has been commended since the days of the apostles. In the book of Acts we have much upon this point which is very striking. In Rev. 2:2, 3, are these forcible words: "I know thy works, and thy labor, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil; and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars; and hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast labored, and hast not fainted." And yet he had somewhat against the church at Ephesus, because they had left their first love.

From the above scriptures we can form some idea of what devotion and zeal the early church possessed, also of what is required of us if we would meet the mind of the Spirit of God. We live amid the closing scenes of this world's history. The last sands of time are fast passing away. And yet, right upon the borders of the eternal world, as we are, how little do we realize the importance of the cause we have espoused. Should we weigh ourselves in the scales with the early church, we should come far short of their devotion; and even their zeal and devotion did not come up to the true standard.

There are only a few who can speak of laboring with cheerfulness "in weariness and painfulness" in the cause of their Redeemer, while there are many who testify that they have thus labored on their farms or in some calling where personal interests only were at stake. Many have grown gray, and their countenances become furrowed with perplexing care, while serving themselves. This was simply for what they should eat, and drink, and wear. But few there are who labor thus in the cause of Him who left the royal courts and died that we might be saved.

Our missionary system presents an opportunity for each to engage directly in the service of the Master. Agents are wanted to sell our publications, and colporters are needed to enter thousands of cities and villages, to visit families and call their attention to the truth, and pray with and for those who may be anxious to know the will of God. Our sisters can also find a field of labor in remailing our pioneer sheet, and corresponding with those to whom papers have been sent. A number of the Signs should be taken in every place where any of our people live, and these papers should be distributed throughout their respective neighborhoods, or remailed to those whose addresses may be obtained.

God has committed to each of us a talent, and we are responsible for its use. Many have hid their talent in a napkin or buried it in the earth, and in the Judgment they will say, "Lord, I knew thee, that thou art a hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strewed." It is hard for them to deny themselves some personal ease or pleasure to engage in a work which yields so little in return,—to perform so much labor with so little profit. Its accomplishment would cost them time, care, and thought,—yes, and if they became successful workers, prayers and tears also. In some instances, the midnight hour has witnessed earnest pleadings with God that he would prosper the effort put forth. We know no reason why our sisters and lay brethren should not, in their sphere, feel a responsibility in working for souls, equal to that of the minister who enters the sacred desk.

We are thankful for what some of our Conferences are doing in this direction; but not one-tenth as many papers are taken for missionary work as should be used. Not one-twentieth is accomplished which might and would be accomplished could all realize the importance of the present hour. Could the curtain be lifted, and we be permitted to see the individuals in Europe, Asia, and even Africa, who are to-day rejoicing in the light of present truth as the result of remailing the SIGNS OF THE TIMES and of correspondence, it would encourage the wearied and careworn laborers to toil on. It would inspire in the lukewarm a desire to become more zealous in the work.