A WORD TO THE BRETHREN AND SISTERS IN NEW ENGLAND.
By S. N. Haskell
Our excellent camp-meeting has closed. The freedom on the part of God's servants and the encouraging words spoken by them have made their impression upon the minds of every lover of present truth who was at the meeting. The thousands of intensely interested listeners upon Sunday, besides the many thousands who could not get within hearing of the speaker, to say nothing of the hundreds of teams that drove away because they could not get upon the ground, are omens of good to this Conference, and clearly indicate the interest which will be seen if we walk in the openings of God's providence. While our hearts should flow out in gratitude to God for such evidences of his willingness to work for us, the battle which precedes the victory is before us. We should never forget that our strength is in God, and it is obtained by a living connection with Heaven. No one can have this connection without a daily experience in the things of God. The times and circumstances demand great humility upon our part, and that earnest seeking after God that will enable us to understand his voice and walk in his providence. To move surely, although at times it may appear to be slowly, is far better than to move rashly and then have to retrace our steps. There have been changes in some of the officers of the Conference. This will place responsibilities upon some individuals, and they will need much of God's help and “that wisdom which is from above which is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.” They should have the sympathy and prayers of the people of God. If all walk in the fear of God and strive to stay up each other's hands, we shall see great results attending the efforts that may be put forth. Here are various interests connected with the work of God, all of which should find a place in the hearts of God's people. No one can successfully labor in the cause of the Lord with a careless or indifferent spirit. God can never strengthen and bless those engaged in his service if they are ever dwelling upon the dark side. Faithfulness, with hope and good cheer, are necessary. “Be of good courage and he shall strengthen thine heart,” are the words of the sweet psalmist of Israel. There is much cause of hope from recent developments. We have placed books in the public libraries, sent pamphlets to leading men in this Conference, etc., etc., not without a degree of success. Our object has been to call the attention of the public to present truth, and especially to reach a moral element among a class which the great gulf of prejudice separated from the truth. But God's providence by one single leap at our late camp-meeting has accomplished more in this direction than years of effort of the Tract Society with an expenditure of thousands of dollars. I refer not only to the extensive reporting, but to the interest manifested by the prominent men of the leading cities in New England to hear Sr. White upon the subject of temperance. We should prepare ourselves for a work upon a broader scale than ever before. Our fall and winter tract and missionary campaign will soon commence, and not one in all the list should be wanting when the roll is called. The work will be to prepare the public mind for something further upon S. D. Adventism. Next summer may reveal that in the progress of this work which the most sanguine have not expected. We see many other bodies, some who have borne the reproach of the name Adventists, broken and scattered, yet God in his merciful providence has saved us from these distracting influences, and if anything has occurred to break our ranks, they have closed up firmer than before. God's hand is in this work and he has led out before us. When we have made large calculations and acted accordingly, God has more than met the broadest expectations. Our duty under the present circumstances is to prepare for the second coming of Christ. We have all a duty to do, and we are emphatically called upon to turn our interests wholly into the cause of present truth, redeem the time and prepare to meet God. To those who have means in banks, stocks, bonds, or even in real estate and mortgages, God's voice by his providence is speaking in such a manner that if it is not heard and regarded a proclamation by an angel of God would not receive attention.109 The depreciation of stocks and bonds, and the daily failures of saving banks which have ever been above suspicion, and which, to keep up appearances, have paid large per cent. and dividends until the day of their failure, have caused a general fearful looking for of what is coming upon the earth, among business men. They are taking warning, removing their means by thousands, and shall not we? Is there not a place of safety where those who have means can deposit with safety? The providence of God has furnished just such a place, where the use of the money will yield fruit in the kingdom of God. That none may be without excuse, the S. D. A. P. Association proposes to secure those who may be disposed to loan their funds to it, and that which they loan will be subject to their call. To question the security is to question the progress and triumph of the third angel's message. Twenty thousand dollars in addition to the one hundred thousand capital already in use would no more than meet the present wants of the cause, if we would meet the demand of the people for the truth. In view of the state of society and the crumbling condition of moneyed institutions, and the fact that the cause is being hindered for want of means, how can we expect the blessing of God to rest upon those who withhold from the cause of God that which they are only stewards over, while at the same time means are invested where a loss is only a question of time? We would recommend the rereading of “Earnest Appeal from the General Conference Committee relative to the Dangers and Duties of our Time,” and Testimony No. 26, upon these points. Then, upon the point of sacrificing labor, we are not doing one-twentieth part of what we should do. Shall we not in the fear of God turn over a new leaf this coming conference year, and in the future prove faithful to the trust committed to us? S. N. HASKELL.