Tract and Missionary Work.
By Stephen N. Haskell
About ten years ago, we met with sister Hannah More (the late missionary who embraced the Sabbath in Africa), while stopping over night where she was visiting, at Woodstock, Conn. We had a very pleasant interview while together, and, as we parted in the morning, we presented her with the History of the Sabbath and a few tracts. The next year, she left on her mission to benighted Africa. The Review was sent her, and, from time to time, other publications, until she finally embraced the Sabbath and the truths connected therewith. She was then having charge of a mission on the coast of Africa, acting the part of preacher, teacher, physician, general provider, and, in fact, the general civilizer of a company of natives gathered at the mission. From her went the Sabbath History and other publications to England; and as she was finally excluded from the mission where she was employed, she carried the light with her, and left works on present truth at every missionary station on the African shore. It was generally rejected, and her labors not wanted, because she had embraced a doctrine so heretical as to lead her to practically keep and teach the Sabbath of the Bible. One missionary, however, from Australia embraced the Sabbath, and his labors also were discountenanced by the missionary board. He soon returned to his native nation, carrying with him publications which emanated from the Office of the Review and Herald. In A. D. 1866, sister More came to America, was baptized, and joined the church of Seventh-day Adventists in South Lancaster, Mass., and then visited her friends in Connecticut. Tracts and pamphlets were strewn wherever she went. The seed occasionally fell upon good soil. Quite a number embraced the Sabbath, who are now keeping it, from the seed sown by her, some of whom have never heard a sermon on present truth, but are now rejoicing in its light. A short time since, I learned that another family have commenced to revere God by keeping his laws as the result of her labors. The Orphan Asylum, in Bristol, England, under the management of Mr. Müller, author of “Müller’s Life of Trust,” has received the History of the Sabbath and other publications from the publishing house of Seventh-day Adventists through the instrumentality of Hannah More. A trail of light has marked her track from Africa to the British Isles; from the New England States to Northern Michigan, where she found her quiet resting place to await the day of rewards, when she will see the result of a life devoted to missionary labor. She scattered the light of present truth into at least four distinct nations. While at our house, she was often known to spend days of fasting and prayer, that some door of usefulness might be opened before her. The result of all this, the day of Judgment alone will reveal. How many of us, with all the advantages of a tract and missionary organization, have done one-half as much. There is good soil in almost every village in the land, if not in every neighborhood. Where are the men and women whose godly lives and general deportment will recommend the truth, who are making an effort to sow seed beside all waters by a hearty co-operation in the tract and missionary work, not knowing what will prosper, this or that? Who is feeling the responsibility of this work? If God has committed to us a sacred, saving truth, it is that we may let our light shine. The Judgment will reveal the fact that if we merely live for ourselves, taking no special interest in having an influence with our Judgment-bound friends and neighbors, or to recommend to them the truth, we have made a fatal mistake. It is by putting forth efforts in this direction that will make a fruitful life, and bring us a reward in the kingdom of God.