Our Faith by S. N. Haskell

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 28, 1875

Our Faith.

By S. N. Haskell

The message of Rev. 14:9-12, is world-wide in its application. It is a warning against the unmixed wrath of God. Wrath having no mixture of mercy has never been experienced by any, and cannot be as long as Christ is presenting his blood before the Father. The prophet thus describes the time when his intercessions will cease: “I beheld, and there was no intercessor.” “He that is unjust, let him be unjust still; and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still; and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still; and he that is holy, let him be holy still.” This message, therefore, can apply to none other than that generation which will live in the closing work of probation. By comparing Rev. 14:10 with Rev. 16:1, 2, 11, it will be seen that the very individuals who reject the warning of the third angel will not only drink of the first vial of the unmixed wrath of God, but will also suffer the fifth plague.

To be consistent, then, with our faith we should avail ourselves of every lawful means for the spread of this truth. For these truths must find their way into every community and family where there may be honest hearts. If this is God’s work, we cannot be too much devoted to its interest, nor make too great sacrifices for its advancement. It should demand our most serious attention. It is worthy of our most earnest thought, in order to devise and carry into effect such measures as will bring these truths before the public mind. This is a world-wide message destined to warn the world of its approaching doom. To warn is to give previous notice, to admonish, to notify by authority.

All that have any knowledge of this truth should feel a burden of the work resting upon them. Parents should so feel the importance of this matter that their children will partake of its inspiration and feel an anxiety to do something to help forward the cause of God. Children can do something. They can not only make an investment of their pennies where it will pay large interest in this life, but fruit will be seen of their lives in the kingdom of God.

Last year, when the effort was made to get the Hygienic Almanac into the families of the city of Boston, the children of Bro. Wood and others went from house to house and sold a large number of them. Many would purchase because a child offered them for sale.

The time has already arrived when this almanac enterprise should again be engaged in. And this fall, instead of distributing fifty thousand copies, the Hygienic Almanac, at the very lowest estimate, should find its way to one hundred and fifty thousand firesides in this country. This can be done; and shall we expect anything less of our Tract and Missionary Societies than three times the amount done last year? New England with less than three hundred members distributed about five thousand copies last year. This year they have already ordered five thousand, and they make no calculation of distributing less than twice that amount.

A very large proportion of the money paid for the almanacs by the Tract Societies can be returned from the sales made, if a proper course is taken. To help the Tract Societies, let our brethren pay the regular price for them; then let those not interested in the faith have them for a smaller sum, enough, however, to cover all expense. Large orders should come in at once from every Tract Society in the country, that the almanacs may be placed in the hands of the directors and members immediately. Every family that will give it a place at their fireside, and keep it for reference, should have one. City and country should be canvassed. Stores should be supplied, and wherever they will be judiciously distributed, let them find a place.

The officers of the various Tract Societies should be awake to this movement at once. We entreat you, brethren, not to let the flood of drug almanacs crowd out that which is not only as good as any almanac, but which will also impart light and truth. It should not be true in this matter that the children of this world are wiser in their generation than the children of light. To my certain knowledge there was not a Conference last year, with the exception of one or two, but regretted that they did not send for larger orders to commence with. Don’t calculate too small. This work must go; the public must be notified of these principles. With the almanac, do not forget the health tracts, and especially “Healthful Cookery,” also the Reformer. And what has been said in reference to the health publication is also true in reference to our denominational works. What has already been done in the missionary work in the past is but a drop in the bucket to what must be done.

With our present system of missionary labor this can easily be done. Brethren, sisters, and children, should take a part in this work as above indicated. We have not less than five thousand individuals who have paid their dollar and thus have become members of our Tract Societies, and all of these have friends to whom the almanac would prove a blessing, and by whom it would be appreciated. As every family wants an almanac, why not place in their hands the best, while it is in our power to do it? God will accept every effort if done in his fear.

The times demand action from consecrated hearts. Other branches of the missionary work should not be neglected, but all should be carried forward together. The distribution of the almanacs, however, like the harvest, must be attended to in its proper time. This movement among the Tract Societies should not prevent those not connected with the societies from sending in their orders for them.

THE SYSTEM.

For the benefit of those who do not have the advantages of the quarterly meetings, a few words may not be out of place in reference to the manner of doing business for the Tract Societies. It is generally understood that the business is to be done through the director, the district secretary keeping an account of the same, that he or the district secretary shall notify the State secretary, and that the business with the Office shall all be done by the State secretary. In some cases, where a director lives far out of the way, other arrangements can be made by the Tract Societies, and individuals may send directly to the State secretary. But, where such arrangements are made, whether it be orders for books and tracts, names for our periodicals, or whatever the nature of the business done, the district secretary should be notified of it, that a debt and credit account may be kept.

S. N. HASKELL.