Cheering Reports by S. N. Haskell

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 15, 1875

Cheering Reports.

By S. N. Haskell

LETTERS which are being received from different parts of the world show, first, that the truth concerning God’s law and Sabbath is constantly finding its way to honest hearts. Secondly, that those who thus receive the Sabbath are at once imbued with the missionary spirit. They are not satisfied with simply partaking of the spiritual food that is drawn from God’s treasure house, the Bible, themselves; but are anxious that their friends and neighbors should rejoice in the same glorious truths.

A gentleman of some influence in Scotland, who has recently embraced the Sabbath, writes thus hopefully: “He who has brought me to the light can bring the whole people. I want tracts and small pamphlets. You have no idea how anything in the shape of leaves stitched together takes with our people. A pamphlet has a glamour, as we say to the people, and is carefully read and preserved. Should you kindly send me pamphlets, please let some of them be in Danish, German, and Swedish. We have crowds of vessels belonging to these nations in Glasgow harbor, and I should like to pass some Sundays with the sailors, and try a little missionary work among them.”

The following is another from abroad. James Scott, a man whose soul seems to be stirred to get the truth before others, writes: “I can assure you that the Lord has begun a good work here [Elgin]. I believe there are hundreds convinced. A Baptist promised to distribute the ‘Address to the Baptists’ and some other publications. He was convinced from my own tract, and intends to do all he can to bring over his congregation and brethren to the observance of the Sabbath. A clergyman of the church of Scotland sent for one of the tracts. I called to get his opinion. He said, ‘None could say more upon it;’ but he could not as yet see his way clear to its observance. I have good hope of him. He is a good man. We are to have the subject debated in our Society at the end of next month.” This Bro. Scott labors five days and goes out Sundays distributing tracts and doing missionary work.

Miss Jennie Flott, connected with a Presbyterian missionary effort in Mexico, one who has been compelled to make sacrifices for the truth’s sake, writes: “I have been reading Eld. Smith’s work ‘Mortal or Immortal,’ and it throws much light on what to me have always been great mysteries. His arguments seemed so truthful and candid that I gave the book to the missionary to read. He, instead of giving the information I so much desired, gave me ‘Dick’s Theology’ to read. But unfortunately for me Mr. Dick quotes Plato, Socrates, etc., and says that the doctrine of the immortality of the soul, coming from such sources as these, cannot be doubted. But where is the Bible view, if not wholly ignored? “The missionary advised me to burn all such trash as Mr. Smith’s book. But what would that avail after having read it? The very ashes would proclaim the truth which fire could not destroy. Instead of following his advice I sent the book to a dear friend. I took advantage of the holidays to inclose a number of these tracts with the Christmas presents I sent to my friends, believing they would not be offensive. They all assure me that they have read the tracts. And, oh, how can I be thankful enough! my youngest and best-loved sister says, ‘Dear Jennie: I have read the books you sent, and believe every word in them to be true.’ A letter from a friend received last evening says, ‘Annie has come out on the Lord’s side.’ Pray for me that we may truly be found on the Lord’s side when our Saviour comes.”

The following is from the Missouri and Kansas Conference. We insert it here, not only to show how God is blessing his truth, but also for the encouragement of those who have given of their means to assist that Conference in keeping their ministers in the field during the past winter:—

“The cause is prospering in this Conference. The money sent to the Conference enables the ministers to keep in the field. Bro. Chaffee and Long are having good success in Daviess Co., Mo. Bro. Rogers reports a good interest in Johnson Co. He has sent for Bro. Cook to come and help him. Bro. Wood reports good results from Barton County. Bro. Lamont is having a good interest in Labette and Howard Counties, Kansas.

“Bro. Smith Sharp is having good success in Miami County. He has been holding meetings three miles west of Osawatomie. The house is crowded every night. About twenty take part in the Sabbath meetings. He is now holding meetings in Osawatomie. Calls come in from every side. The harvest is ripe, but the laborers are few.

“The Signs and Voice are doing a good work. People are anxious to read. Tracts are taken wherever they are offered; but we are out of them at present. Hope to have some soon. In hope of eternal life, J. N. AYERS.

“Farmville, Linn Co., Kansas, March 31, 1875.”

If the above extracts were only the result of some impulsive movement, they would not give so clear an idea of the nature of this work. But, like the sturdy oak, which increases in strength until it becomes a mighty tree, this work has grown gradually, and its effects are now seen in every part of the civilized globe.

S. N. HASKELL.