p. 125 | The True Missionary by Stephen Nelson Haskell

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 31, 1874

The True Missionary.

By Stephen Nelson Haskell

To say anything by way of calling the attention of the tract societies to this paper seems to be unnecessary and simply repeating what has already been said upon it. Probably one reason why our friends have not been more prompt in subscribing for it is, that they had not heard anything in particular about it previous to its being published. And as many do not realize the importance of personal effort in carrying forward this work, they have not seen the necessity of a paper devoted more especially to missionary labor.

The articles which have already appeared are worth many times the cost of the paper for one year. This is the opinion of all who I have heard express themselves who have read it. The incidents related, showing the especial blessing of God which has attended some that have moved out in the fear of God to sacrifice for the cause of Christ, are soul-inspiring.

No family or isolated individual that has any interest in the spread of this truth should be without this journal. If you want to keep up with the progressive steps taken by the people of God in the great work of warning the world, then you need the True Missionary. If you want to learn what the tract societies are doing, you will find the items showing this in that paper. I have frequently mentioned some encouraging features of this work that is alluded to in Bro. White's article in No. 2; and brethren would manifest a great surprise to think the cause had reached such a state of prosperity. When, if they had had the True Missionary, they would have learned the fact themselves. It is designed to come directly to our brethren and sisters, and treat of those matters which are of especial interest to them.

All those who have any interest in the rise and progress of this work, and in its practical working, will meet with a great loss in not taking this periodical.

The various directors of the tract societies throughout the country should see that every family in their respective districts who has any interest in this work, or who is backsliding for want of interest, and all isolated individuals, become subscribers, and so have the monthly visits of the True Missionary. Let not one be passed by. Shall this enterprise fail? Will it have to be discontinued for want of patronage? Will it be said that with a tract society membership of about 5,000 there is not sufficient interest of this kind to sustain such a paper, while our entire plan of operation is on this principle? The many questions that are asked concerning the practical workings of the tract and missionary work are answered in some form in the True Missionary.

But enough has already been said showing its importance. Its cost is only 50 cents a year. We shall expect that ere the May number is issued, instead of a list of subscribers less than one thousand, there will be a list of subscribers of not less than five thousand. It is to our brethren and sisters that we appeal to subscribe for it and to see that all the scattered individuals and families of Seventh-day Adventists are supplied with it.

S. N. HASKELL.