p. 28 | The Responsibilities of Our Work

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 21, 1875

The Responsibilities of Our Work.

By Stephen Nelson Haskell

The cause of present truth is an aggressive one. It presents before us a definite object. The third angel’s message of Rev. 14:9–12, is designed to accomplish a special work in the earth. It is to be proclaimed before many nations, kings, tongues, and peoples, that the world may be warned of its impending doom.

It has seemed fitting to the Spirit of God to select this country as the place in which this work should commence and the burden of it should more especially rest. Doubtless there are reasons for this. The character of this government and the nature of its laws are such that there is an attractive influence which invites the oppressed from every despotic nation on the globe. Individuals come here from different parts of the world in search of religious and political liberty, and in many respects are not disappointed. So of this country it may be said that the civilized world is here represented.

Individuals of these different nationalities are embracing the truth, and thus they become avenues through which the truth finds its way to their native land. It places a responsibility of no small magnitude upon those who believe that we are giving the last notes of warning to a dying world.

Probably among those who will read these lines there will be individuals who have friends in every part of the world wherever the English language is spoken. We have in our midst channels through which the rays of light might find their way to thousands who now sit in darkness in different parts of the earth. Why has God thus arranged this matter if it be not for this very purpose?

To every one of God’s servants there has been at least one talent committed which the Judge of all the earth will require with usury in the day of final reckoning. If our lives have been such that we have no influence for good over those with whom we have been and are acquainted, we alone are responsible for it. If we excuse ourselves by saying we can do nothing in this cause by our means or our influence or by sending the publications which have been so carefully prepared by those whom the Lord has called for this purpose, and then made ready to our hand by the Tract Societies, we shall find in the day of Judgment that we have digged in the earth and have hid our Lord’s money. Truly it is said that we are not doing one-twentieth of what we might do, did we feel the responsibility that rests upon us. Shall we not as a people wake up to the importance of this matter and like a well-disciplined army put forth more of a united effort to prepare the way of the angel which shall come down from Heaven and the earth be lightened with his glory? Rev. 18:1.

Each Conference of S. D. Adventists has adopted a system which places our publications in the hands of every member of our churches, if they will become connected with our missionary work; so that wherever in any portion of this earth, whether among the Norwegians, Danes, Swedes, French, Germans, or those who speak the English language, there are persons interested to read. They can be sent to them by their friends in this country. Also especial attention should be paid to correspondence by the proper persons with those who may become interested even if we may not be acquainted in the flesh. Every opening should be sought whereby the attention of individuals may be favorably called to the subject of present truth.

We do not say scatter the tracts promiscuously without any reference to whether persons may be interested to read or not. But we should individually feel that God has laid upon us a responsibility of not only doing something, but doing that something in such a manner that God can bless the effort to the salvation of others.

Our responsibility does not cease in simply giving away a few tracts or in obtaining subscribers for our periodicals. Yet these are very important duties in the discharge of the responsibilities that rest upon us. Obtaining subscribers for our periodicals and a judicious distribution of our publications are one essential means of accomplishing the object we have in view; namely, to bring men and women to a saving knowledge of the truth.

We must have the Spirit of God to accompany our efforts if we would be successful. There should be a living connection between Heaven and our own souls. We should be men and women that walk and talk with God and that can recognize and understand the voice of God and tell when good cometh.

We are placed here as sentinels, not only to guard the sacredness of the truth by a well-ordered life and a godly conversation, but to seek every avenue by which the truth may reach the hearts of others. Every lawful means should be seized upon with courage to carry the glorious light of God’s truth into regions beyond, and make favorable impression upon honest minds.

There is no Conference of S. D. Adventists this side of the Rocky Mountains which presents a more promising missionary field than that of Wisconsin. I am informed by those who are acquainted with the facts that in this State there are thirteen distinct nations represented by settlements varying in number from hundreds to thousands, besides families of the native Russians, Prussians, and other nationalities, making, including our American people, over sixteen different nations represented here in this Conference.

Twelve of these nationalities are represented in the cause of the third angel’s message, and among all of these different people are those who understand our language as well as their own. The providence of God has thus prepared the way in a remarkable manner to prophesy before many nations, peoples, and tongues.

How shall we approach these companies in a manner that the seeds of present truth may be scattered throughout their midst and directly through them to their native land so that fruit may be gathered from fifteen or more different nations in Europe for the kingdom of God? This is a question of the most solemn importance. And what makes this matter still more interesting is the fact that the angel of mercy seems in an especial manner to be hovering over this State. Over one hundred have here embraced the truth since the camp-meeting in June, 1874. Two meeting-houses have been built, and others are in process of erection. And it is ascertained that the larger portion of the above number who have embraced the truth first became interested by the judicious distribution of publications and the Christian deportment of lonely individuals professing the truth. What is true of Wisconsin is true to a very great extent of Minnesota; and the same might be said, although in a more limited degree, of all our Conferences, especially those in the West.

In view of the work as it opens before us, we might well say, Who is sufficient for these things? Where are the young men and women that fear God who will devote their lives to a cause which has been purchased by the precious blood of Jesus Christ. The providence of God and his Holy Spirit call loudly for laborers to enter the great harvest field. The harvest truly is plenteous and the laborers are few; pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest that he would send forth laborers into his harvest.

The responsibilities of the Tract & Missionary Societies increase as avenues present themselves, through which the truth may reach others. Thirty thousand new readers of our periodicals are called for; and in those Conferences where

the Advent Tidende can be used, we suggest that this periodical help make up the quota of names apportioned to each Conference. In this country it can be sent to individuals when paid for by the Tract Societies for 50 cents; to Europe, with the postage added, for $1.00.

We suggest also that an especial effort be made by the tract workers to secure as many as possible of interested readers of those who are foreigners by birth, so they may become channels by which the truth may reach their native land. There should be a blending together of different nationalities in this work; for here we “are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow-citizens with the saints, and the household of God.”

If the brethren in Wisconsin who are laboring in word and doctrine, as well as tract and missionary workers, keep the spirit of sacrifice and union, and labor to the point, making God their trust, we expect much fruit will yet be seen through these representative men of other tongues. The same may be said of each Conference Tract Society. The work in which we are engaged is of the utmost importance. A great work must be done, and the time is short in which to do it. But it is the most sure and certain enterprise that men ever engaged in. Banks may suspend payment, railroad stock may fall in the market, currency may depreciate in value, be counterfeited, &c., &c.; but there is no failure in the cause of truth. “He that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal; that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.” John 4:36. “They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.” Ps. 126:5, 6.

The promise is not to them who go forth in a careless and indifferent manner, and recklessly engage in this work, but to them who feel the burden of souls and the sacredness of the cause of Christ. All such are invited to come to the great source of light and strength, and draw from the never-failing fountain that grace which is needed to discharge the responsibilities resting upon us.

We expect much from the careful selection of thirty thousand interested readers of our periodicals this winter. The REVIEW list at Battle Creek shows that hundreds have become permanent subscribers of our valuable denominational paper besides scores who have embraced the Sabbath of the Lord both in the old world and in this, including missionaries and professors in colleges as the result of the trial volume one year ago.

We therefore are encouraged to enter upon the enterprise of obtaining names this winter in a more careful and judicious manner expecting far greater results. God’s hand is in this work. From the Atlantic to the Rocky Mountains we hear of success attending the labors of our licentiates where they have entered fields prepared by the effort of the Tract Society in sending our periodicals on trial, and distributing our publications. While I am writing at the house of Bro. Atkins he has returned from a field of labor where there was an interest awakened by reading, and reports that eight have fully committed themselves upon present truth by only ten days’ labor, men coming five miles on foot to hear. We rejoice to hear that many of our Conferences are fast filling the quota of names assigned them. Over one thousand sample copies of The Voice of Truth and Reformer have been sent out to the missionary workers to use in canvassing for the same. Let not the heart sink in discouragement nor the hand grow weary in this work. But with greater devotion to God and more consecration to his service let the work be pushed forward until it is completed; until the world is warned, and the saints are taken to their eternal reward.

S. N. HASKELL.