Report of Labor by Stephen Nelson Haskell

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 23, 1872

Report of Labor.

By Stephen Nelson Haskell

It is not for lack of interest in the cause that I have not reported before, but more for lack of seeing accomplished that which would interest the readers of the REVIEW.

From May 17, to June 16, I was in the State of New York, where I held five general meetings in different parts of the State. These meetings were meetings of some interest. The brethren came from quite a distance to each of them. Considerable interest is manifested in this Conference in the Tract Society and other enterprises connected with the cause, more especially in the western and middle portions of the State, owing no doubt to the fact that other parts have not had that amount of labor.

The Tract and Missionary enterprise is a system that gives each individual the privilege of manifesting an interest, both as to their means, and actual labor in carrying forward this last message of mercy; and those that heartily enter into this work, and continue faithful, not being swerved from its object by difficulties that may arise, will hear it said in the day of Judgment, Because “thou hast been faithful over a few things I will make thee ruler over many things; enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.”

The truth must go, and the truth will go, and God has ordained man as his instrument to carry forward his work upon the earth; and if one fails to enter into the work and co-operate with the people of God, others will be raised up that will take hold of the work and receive the crown. A spirit of enterprise is needed in the cause of present truth if we would see it prosper, and prosper ourselves. The monotony of certain rounds of duty must be broken up, by reaching out for higher attainments, which will be accomplished by heartily embracing each truth, and co-operating fully with every step the people of God are taking. The religion of Jesus Christ is not a gloomy, long-faced affair; that sing-song tune which knows no change; but new victories are daily to be obtained, a “reaching forward to those things which are before.” This will give life and activity to the soul, and a living experience in the things of God.

June 22 and 23, met with the brethren at Green Hill, R. I. In this State the Tract Society is proving a great blessing to the cause. June 29 and 30, met with the friends at West Rindge, N. H. On first-day afternoon, eleven willing souls were buried with Christ in baptism including one deaf mute who manifested great joy in coming out of the water.

July 6 and 7, I was also with the brethren here, and completed organizing the church. The bad effect of a wrong use of the tongue, which is so difficult to tame, was very apparent in this section. David exclaims: “In my distress I cried unto the Lord, and he heard me. Deliver my soul, O Lord, from lying lips, and from a deceitful tongue. What shall be given unto thee? or what shall be done unto thee, thou false tongue? It is as the sharp arrows of the mighty man, with coals of juniper.” (Margin.) Ps. 120. James gives us to understand that “every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind; but the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.” Again, he says, “If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.” But when the tongue is subdued and brought in subjection by the grace of God, so as to be made to speak right words at the right time, “how good is it;” it “is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.” Conversational powers are a great blessing, and when rightly used will bring joy to many hearts, and much fruit that will be seen in the kingdom of God; but, wrongly used, they will prove the ruin of many, and fill the garments of the unconsecrated with the blood of souls.

S. N. Haskell.