p. 12 | WHAT CAN I DO? by S. N. HASKELL

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 13, 1876

WHAT CAN I DO?

By S. N. HASKELL

Directions Suited to All Cases.

Laborers in the cause of God are needed everywhere. Satan has two methods of attack in his warfare against Heaven: First, he enlists the best talent in direct opposition to the work of saving souls. Secondly, he so stupefies or benumbs the moral sensibilities of God’s people that their minds become engrossed with the cares of this life, and the talent which might be of service in the cause of Christ is not only rendered useless, but a real clog in the work. Therefore, laborers are wanted in every department of the work of saving lost men. There are not a tenth as many ministers as are needed to meet the calls for men to enter new fields and publicly proclaim the truth. Especial openings for the truth to go to almost every nationality under heaven, are coming to light. The Macedonian cry, “Come over and help us,” is borne upon every breeze. Colporteurs are wanted to enter thousands of towns, cities, and villages.

And when individuals have entered the field as colporteurs, actuated by right motives, and possessing a love for souls which would lead them to sacrifice their ease, means, and personal interests, upon the altar of truth, God has most signally blessed their efforts. Through their instrumentality, large, healthy churches have been raised up, meeting-houses have been built, and an interest to hear has been awakened in all the surrounding country.

Hundreds have been brought to receive the light of truth by the silent messengers—by tracts and periodicals alone. To my certain knowledge, there are scores rejoicing to-day in the Sabbath of the Lord, as the direct result of the trial volume of the REFORMER, the REVIEW, and THE VOICE OF TRUTH. But experience has taught us that judicious labor, by correspondence, and visiting families and praying with them, in connection with the distribution of reading matter, is far more effectual in bringing souls to a knowledge of the truth than is the reading matter without this personal labor. We speak upon this point from what we have seen, and from facts that are continually coming to light, and with which we are personally acquainted.

We have become thoroughly convinced that, had more of this practical labor been expended in connection with the reading matter which has been distributed, far greater results would have been seen. I would not have the reader get the idea that we should curtail our efforts to scatter tracts and periodicals, not by any means. This work should be increased twentyfold; but there should be, in connection with it, prayers and such labor as will make the reading matter more effectual. We do not mean that we should contend over doctrinal points with those we would reach, but we should recommend the religion of the Bible in such a manner that it will reach the ears of the people.

All who have received the VOICE, and REFORMER on trial should be visited; the REFORMER with the premium, and the SIGNS OF REVIEW, should be offered, and their subscriptions be obtained if possible. Where this recanvassing has been done it has resulted in marked success. Much of the first effort is sometimes lost, where good would have been accomplished had the work been followed up.

There is another branch of this work to which we would especially call the attention of our brethren and sisters. There are many among us whose home duties are such that they cannot leave their families, or, from other causes, cannot go out to visit, or, if they do, it must be to a very limited extent. Many of these are sisters whose address is good, and who might write with a degree of acceptance. They would like to do something in the cause. Now what can they do? Perhaps I have heard the question asked more than one thousand times, after stating their circumstances, “Now what can I

do? I am willing to do any thing.” They have some time which they could devote, if they knew just what to do, or how to go about the work.

To all such, and to those who do not seem to possess a faculty for getting people to subscribe for our periodicals and pay for them, and this class is quite numerous, we make the following proposition: Subscribe for five or more copies of the SIGNS at Tract Society prices. Do this through the proper officers of your Tract Society, as then there will be no risk in sending the money, and it saves much trouble. The money can be paid to your director or district secretary, stating the number of copies you wish, and he will forward to your State secretary. Then you will receive these copies weekly, to be disposed of. Do them up and send them to your friends far and near. Always write to them, stating your object in so doing; but do not mention any peculiar doctrine which they do not believe; let the paper advocate that. Invite them to read, and write you in return what they think of the paper, etc. If they like it, send another. Perhaps in time, if not at first, you will obtain a permanent subscriber.

There is no reason why you should limit this kind of labor to your acquaintances and friends. Invite your friends and neighbors who may be interested for you to send you names. Make a business of it. Let no copies of the SIGNS remain on hand; for old papers are not as interesting to people generally as new ones, and you will have a fresh supply every week. The result of such a course is every way beneficial.

First, you will get the truth before a large class of readers whom you may be the means of benefiting.

Secondly, for those who have never investigated the truth, the paper has many advantages over a tract; for the reading matter is varied, and there will be something in every paper that will interest nearly every one.

Thirdly, the experience it will give you, if the labor is prayerfully followed up, will be of more value than ten times its cost in means and labor. It will cultivate those nobler qualities of the soul, which make men and women of use in society. It will lead you to meditate, and to study ways and means by which to dispose of your papers where they will do the most good, and it will lead your thoughts from self to those practical duties which are Christlike in their nature.

Fourthly, it will help sustain the cause on the Pacific Coast.

To the youth, who would do something in the cause of God, but have no definite object before them, we especially recommend this plan. Those young in experience should feel free to consult the more experienced brethren and sisters. Some of the members of the Vigilant Missionary Society at South Lancaster, Mass., enter largely into this branch of the work, and that, too, with marked success. Their correspondence at first was limited to but few, and those were individuals with whom they were personally acquainted. But now they correspond with individuals in almost, if not every, civilized nation on the globe.

There are colporteurs to-day in Europe—men of means, who have reprinted our tracts in editions of five thousand. These persons embraced the truth by this means alone, and of some of them, I have yet to learn that they have ever seen a Seventh-day Adventist. And the late mail brings encouraging news from an active advocate of the Sabbath in Scotland, who has been reading our periodicals. After speaking of the discontinuance of the VOICE, and ordering certain publications, he proposes to obtain subscribers for the REFORMER, thus showing the foothold the truth of God is gaining in the Old World through this kind of labor.

These letters should be written with the greatest care, that prejudice may not be awakened, and the object you have in view defeated. No one should feel competent to write without much prayer. The heart should be full of tenderness and love. “Cursed be he that doeth the work of the Lord negligently,” or we might say, carelessly. To those who are saved it is said, “Thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things.”

This plan of labor was suggested at our meeting at Adams’ Center, N. Y., and within a few moments after an opportunity had been given to subscribe for the SIGNS over sixty copies were subscribed for. Some in New England who have received five copies, have since ordered five more. Bro. Palmer, of South Boston, to whom five copies had been sent, orders five more, making ten copies for one year. Here are faith, means, and works, all together. We are acquainted with Bro. Palmer. He has had experience in this kind of work a number of years, so this is not a bow drawn at a venture with him, but he knows what he is about in the matter. There are thousands of our people in trade, or working in shops, who are constantly associating with others, and they might find scores of readers in this manner. We want one hundred such men in New England, two hundred in New York, five hundred in Michigan, one hundred and fifty in Ohio, and so on throughout the country. Let our brethren and sisters put their hand to the work, and push forward with zeal in this matter.

What is here proposed is not said to hinder in the least the canvassing for the SIGNS, which is now being done, but to call into exercise the gifts of those who feel that they cannot go out to canvass. From how many shall we have a hearty response in the manner above proposed, upon the receipt of this paper?

The various Tract Societies will do all business pertaining to the SIGNS directly with the SIGNS Office, so there will be no delay. Shall we have a thousand men and women who will thus subscribe for five copies within the next three weeks, at Tract Society rates, viz., $7.50 for the five copies? Let the example set by the Adams’ Center church be followed by every church this side of the Rocky Mountains. We expect a hearty response. We wish to see one thousand new workers thus enlist in the missionary enterprise for 1876 as never before.

S. N. HASKELL.