NEW YORK by S. N. Haskell

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 24, 1876

NEW YORK.

By S. N. Haskell

Our meeting at East Otto, which was held according to appointment, was one of some interest although there was not a large attendance. The friends in this vicinity are few and much scattered. Some who had not been especially connected with us, as a people, seemed to draw nearer to us, and took practical interest in the missionary work. This district had been formerly somewhat discouraged, the brethren being quite poor. They obtained their full quota of names for the VOICE and REFORMER one year ago, and used freely of our publications which would have brought them considerably in debt to the State Tract Society. Here was experienced the benefit of our tract system. At the general quarterly meeting at Rosvelt, the indebtedness incurred by obtaining subscribers for our periodicals was considered (which was about eighteen hundred dollars), and the financial strength of the various districts was taken into account; and instead of this district paying for all the names it had obtained, which would have amounted to one hundred and fifty-six dollars, there were only about thirty charged to it. Those districts which were better able made up this sum. Upon this principle equality was established throughout the State.

Another source of encouragement to the brethren here was the result of this effort as shown by the testimonies given. There were no less than sixteen families which were known to have become permanent subscribers for the REVIEW OF SIGNS, besides many other families had become interested in the truth by the distribution of reading matter that had been made.

The traveling was terrible. One brother, living fifty miles distant, came to this meeting. It was neither sleighing nor wheeling, so he started from home on a stone-boat, came twenty-five miles, where he obtained a wagon, and brought another brother with him. The interest of this brother did not lessen by his long and tedious journey; but he returned home and brought his family to Randolph, a distance of twenty-five miles, where we had a meeting appointed for Wednesday and Thursday. In both of these places there was an interest to so seek God that his blessing might accompany their efforts in the spread of the truth, and also in donating to the Tract Society, and liberally subscribing for the SIGNS.

Jan. 27 we arrived at Niles Hill. Friday was a rainy day. Plenty of mud. It seemed that the traveling could not have been much worse. It was with no little degree of hesitancy that we went to the meeting-house Friday evening, the weather being stormy and the traveling such that we thought it impossible for the brethren and sisters to get out. Imagine our surprise, upon arriving at the place of worship, to find not only a general turnout of our brethren and sisters, but that the neighbors and friends, some of them, had walked quite a distance to attend the first meeting.

Sabbath morning there was quite a turnout of the neighbors, and our brethren came pouring in from different places, traveling all the way from ten to thirty-five miles, having failed to get through the night before. One brother walked twenty miles so that his family might ride, and thus have the privilege of attending the meeting. The house of worship was well filled. We need not add that God met with us; for wherever such an interest is taken to meet for the worship of God, he never disappoints his people. Tears freely flowed, which indicated that God’s Spirit was moving upon hearts. We were together much of the time days and evenings until Monday noon, and then every evening until Wednesday evening. The meetings increased in interest until the close. The entire neighborhood seemed to be stirred. Families that formerly had been entirely void of any religious interest for many years promptly attended our meetings, and manifested an interest to seek God. Backsliders were softened under the melting influence of the Spirit of God. Fifty-five copies of the SIGNS were subscribed for at this meeting. We never left a place with greater reluctance than this. We now have it in our mind, after filling present appointments, to return to this place and remain as long as the interest may demand, unless there are more urgent calls in some other directions.

At Catlin, our meetings were good. A general interest was manifested outside. In fact, we were led to conclude that there was more of an interest among the neighbors than among our own brethren. We could but think of the contrast between this place and each of the other places where we had been. At Niles Hill some of our brethren walked six miles to attend an evening meeting, while here, with a good team and the traveling far better, they could not come five miles, and some could not come over half a mile to attend a business meeting; yet others had hearts to feel for themselves and the cause. Thirty copies of the SIGNS were freely subscribed for.

The interest that was manifested by the neighbors during the public meetings was such that we were led to take an expression at the close of our Sunday evening discourse upon the seal of God, to know if they would like to hear another upon the subject of the change of the Sabbath. The vote was in favor of it. It was listened to with apparently as good attention as we ever saw. But some of our friends were “afraid the people would get tired.” To the young and inexperienced in present truth, some things are excusable; but for old Sabbath-keepers who have had twenty or more years of experience in this work; who have seen it rise from nothing until five power presses are groaning under a constant pressure in issuing present truth, requiring four large two story buildings to do its business; with a knowledge of believers in every part of the civilized world, and then, when their own neighbors are stirred with the power of the truth, for such to quietly fold their hands and sit in silence, there is no excuse.

At Genoa our friends were few and scattered, yet a good degree of interest was manifested. The weather was quite unfavorable.

Feb. 12 and 13 we again met with the friends at Adam’s Center. It will be remembered that the brethren at this place adopted the plan of subscribing for five copies or more of the SIGNS to be used in obtaining subscribers for the paper, and to be given to those who might be interested to read. We found that some had not a clear idea of the main object in thus subscribing. The design is not simply to induce persons to subscribe for a few copies of the SIGNS, procure a few interested readers who will subscribe for the paper, and perhaps pay the one dollar and a half, and then have the papers transferred to those persons, considering their work done. Far from this. The first object is to call into exercise a talent which has hitherto been to a greater or less extent buried. The papers should be retained to be thus used throughout the year by the ones who have subscribed for them. If it be found that some have more copies than they can profitably use, their papers may be transferred to the new subscribers thus obtained; but we think there are scarcely any live missionary workers who cannot use five copies, and many can use ten.

Letters should be written to friends far and near, and every possible means taken to secure interested readers upon the subject of present truth. The papers can also be used for canvassing. When subscribers are obtained, their names can be forwarded directly to the SIGNS Office through the proper officers of the Tract Society. We found that this work had been entered upon with courage, and already many had obtained from one to three subscribers for the SIGNS, and in some instances they were paying subscribers. Another encouraging feature of this work was that great care had been taken in writing. An anxious desire was manifested on the part of some to write in a manner that would favorably impress the person for whom they were laboring.

There should be a fund raised in each Conference, so that where an individual is not able to pay himself, the paper may be sent, and the pay for it drawn from this fund. The tract fund should be sufficiently large to meet this call in each Conference, and the burden of sustaining this fund should rest upon the more able brethren, yet none should be excused from donating to it according to their ability.

This matter was fully set before the brethren at this meeting. At the close of our remarks, one brother came forward and put down his name for five hundred dollars. He was followed by another who put down his name for one hundred dollars, then another, and a third. Then came in smaller sums, until some less than twelve hundred dollars were pledged at this meeting. It is seldom that we have ever seen such a manifestation of God’s Spirit. It seemed to rest upon all hearts present. Tears flowed freely. We could but cry out from the depth of our soul that if this same spirit of sacrifice was continued in, prosperity would attend the Adam’s Center church. One brother of fourscore years, who has formerly been among the foremost to give of his moderate means, but whose circumstances would not warrant his giving now, as he could not earn to give, in broken sobs and tears said he wanted to give five dollars. “Take his name,” exclaimed the man who had given five hundred dollars, “I will see that he has it.” Freedom and light came into the meeting and it seemed that the glory of God shone in the countenances of some, at least, who were present.

There are many more in this State who should be ready to do the same, and when they do this, salvation will come into their hearts and homes as never before. We do not believe this work will stop here. There are men in this church whose hearts beat true to this work. Let them feel that the time has come for a lift in the cause and they will be ready with their hundreds, five hundreds, and even one thousand, if needed.

New York has set her mark for not less than two thousand carefully selected names for the SIGNS this year, besides keeping up the interest in other branches of the missionary work. Wherever they are taking hold of this work with zeal, the dark clouds are passing off, and the angels of mercy are hovering over the people. But where complaint and dissatisfaction reign, the dark pall of death rests on the people. Spiritual life is almost extinct. Since Jan. 1, there have been about three hundred copies of the SIGNS subscribed for by those who pay for it at Tract Society prices, and one hundred copies of the REFORMER. Seventeen hundred dollars have been secured to the Tract Society, and a general interest has been manifested in other branches of the work. Besides this, a goodly number have made a start in the service of God.

We expect that every Conference Tract Society this side of the Rocky Mountains will follow the example of New York. There are evidences that the angel of mercy is hovering over this State, and God in a special manner is coming near. May God help the brethren to be faithful and true to their trust.

S. N. HASKELL.