p. 46 | Labors in Ohio by S. N. Haskell

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 21, 1873

Labors in Ohio.

By S. N. Haskell

I CAME to Ohio, Dec. 12, 1872, and attended the quarterly meeting at Townsend, the 13th and 14th. From that place, visited each district in the Conference, holding a two days’ meeting at North Bloomfield, Bellville, Bowersville, and Bowling Green. We trust that in each place we had some of the blessing of God, especially at Bellville. This company was brought out under the labors of Elds. Van Horn and Lawrence, some five years since, yet they had not had the ordinances until this meeting. The free flow of tears, with broken sobs, gave evidence that the sweet, melting Spirit of God was in our midst. And if vows are carried out which were there made, the blessing of God will continue with them. Could all realize that “it is an honor for a man to cease from strife,” and that “it is his glory to pass over a transgression,” many a church trial and feeling of alienation would be saved.

At Bowersville, we met with Bro. Waggoner. Here a special meeting was called on Monday evening, in view of confessing a lack of faithfulness in their stewardship on the part of some. Deep-settled piety that will give a contented mind, and a conscience void of offense toward God and man, are the essentials of Christianity. Men and women are not so much estimated in the sight of God for their profession and position in society as for their uprightness and Christian integrity. It is not in a spirit of controversy that a healthy moral influence is felt, but by a meek and quiet spirit, and godly life. “To this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and that trembleth at my word.”

The Tract and Missionary Society in this State was in a better condition than we expected to find it under the circumstances. The finances are good, and the brethren generally manifest an interest in this part of the work, when they have a proper understanding of it. Much interest is being taken in establishing the advance-pay system. No doubt in this effort some papers will be stopped which ought not to be. That this may be prevented, as far as possible, the T. & M. Society here have adopted the following plan:

1. To notify all the delinquents of their present indebtedness by a printed letter and a year in advance added, with a stamped envelope inclosed, directed back to the agent. Thus all, whatever may be their circumstances, are expected to reply.

2. It is proposed to drop the names of all that fail to report either at the Office of publication or to the agent, at the time of their next general quarterly meeting, about the middle of March, 1873.

If there are any who by mistake do not receive a printed letter, we hope that the effort that is being made at the Office of publication will be sufficient. The worthy poor can have the paper; but they should make their cases known within the above specified time. The effort that is being made to extend the circulation of the periodicals, is an efficient manner of laboring in the T. & M. Society.

The stronghold of the enemy is prejudice. When this is once broken through, men and women can be reached; and nothing is more effectual in accomplishing this than to have people become acquainted with us as a people and with our views. And in no way can this be accomplished more effectually than by reading our periodicals.

The REVIEW gives fresh reading weekly, and the Reformer and Instructor, monthly.

Hence the importance of sending the REVIEW on a trial trip of six months, and of obtaining subscribers for the Reformer and Instructor, cannot be overestimated. The cause is onward, and a systematic effort with a heart warm with the love of God will speak volumes in the spread of this truth.

S. N. HASKELL.

Battle Creek, Mich.