WHAT CAN I DO? by S. N. Haskell

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 21, 1876

WHAT CAN I DO?

By S. N. Haskell

After calling the attention of the people to the relation we individually sustain to the cause of God, the question is often asked, “What can I do? I am willing to do anything to advance present truth, providing I know what to do, and how to do it.”

The most useful persons in society and in the church are those that can adapt themselves to the necessities of those around them. There are many who might be of great help to the cause of truth were it not for certain traits of character which are non-conformable to circumstances, to others, and to the work itself. Like Ephraim, they “mix themselves among the people,” but are a cake unturned. They are good Christians if circumstances never change, and the cause can be molded after their peculiar ideas. Yet these persons can be overcomers, providing those possessing such traits would study the nature of the work, and adapt themselves to it.

Our churches everywhere greatly need help, and especially is it so here in Michigan, and unless this help can be furnished, there are hundreds who will sooner or later give up the Sabbath. In most of our churches, there are individuals who feel the importance of this, and the necessity that something should be done. Would such unite their influence, and do what they could, they would in a short time greatly improve the condition of things. I find scores in our churches who do not take one of our periodicals. They have no faith in the health reform, do not believe at all in spiritual gifts, can see no possible reason why the SIGNS OF THE TIMES should be published; and some who take the REVIEW AND HERALD would not want the REFORMER any way.

Now I have nothing to say about the neglect of the minister who brought these people out, and left them without their realizing the importance of these things, and securing their subscription for these periodicals, which, no doubt, is the first cause of this state of things; but I wish to speak a word to those connected with these churches, who realize the importance of these truths and the necessity of taking our periodicals.

Here is a field in your own church where missionary work can be done among its members. Visit each other, not to discourse the nonsense of the day, but to talk over the truths relating to the present time, their progress, their reaching other nations, the signs of the times, etc., etc. Always pray together before separating. Take with you the REVIEW, the SIGNS, the REFORMER, and if the family has children, the INSTRUCTOR. Read some interesting article. Speak of the benefit of the health reform, and thus get them interested and perhaps obtain their subscription for these periodicals. Do not give it up if you do not accomplish at once all that you wish. Keep at the work until every family in the church is a subscriber for each of these periodicals. Now who will take hold of this work? We appeal to our brethren and sisters in every church who may read these lines. It is for you to know who in your church takes these periodicals and who does not. You should labor in this respect as one who must give an account of himself and the use made of his talents at the bar of God. “We are our brother’s keeper,” and are not to suffer sin upon him. If you see him neglect that which would prove his salvation, and thus go down to ruin, without putting forth an effort to save him, the blood of his soul will be found in the skirts of your garments in the end. Sisters can do much in this direction.

Again, are there not members of your church, who have moved away to a distance, and whose names are upon your church book? Do you know anything about them spiritually? whether they are backsliding from God or not? Are you sending tracts for them to give to others? Are you trying to interest them in obtaining subscribers for our periodicals? No live member in any church should rest until there is a living connection with every member of the body. And that church which is most scattered can be the most useful if its members are alive. Now, my brother or my sister, do not say, “I cannot do anything,” but try in the fear of God to do something. Do you say that you have no influence? If so, what is the reason? Have you grieved others with unguarded words and imprudent acts? If this is the case, consult Matt. 25:22-25, and heed the instruction there given.

There is another wide field for missionary labor for those who cannot leave their homes to canvas for our periodicals, and who would reach out for those outside of our faith. First, subscribe for several copies of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES for general missionary labor. Read, and loan to your neighbors. Secondly, do up copies of them with a few tracts and send to old acquaintances. Yes, even go further, procure names from others, and send copies of the SIGNS and REFORMER, always writing a line, calling their attention to what you have sent, stating that if they are interested you will send them more. Here is a field where those who are mostly confined to their homes can labor. It will be far more interesting if a few faithful souls can enter this work jointly in a church, and meet together once a week in a missionary meeting, read the letters received, and consult together, always having a season of prayer for divine guidance in your efforts. I do not mention these methods of labor as an untried experiment.

One of our eastern churches was organized about twelve years since. It was composed of ten members, five brethren and their wives. Two sisters talked over the necessity of spending a season of prayer each Wednesday afternoon for God’s blessing to rest on the church. Sister No. 1 had a team. She would ride to the house of sister No. 2, and they would take the third, then would ride to the house where the other two lived. Thus they met week after week, month after month, year after year. Finally, they connected with their prayers a system of corresponding with those who might be laboring under trial of mind and those who were becoming interested in the third angel’s message.

Soon their correspondence extended all over the country. Then came the gathering of names of individuals, and sending tracts and periodicals to them everywhere.

The result has been: 1. A sacred bond of union exists among its members, although scattered from Maine to Minnesota. 2. A working church. Their average weekly attendance has never on Wednesdays been over six, and those are sisters; yet they make use of thirty copies of the SIGNS weekly, and fifteen copies of the REFORMER monthly; and our periodicals through their influence have reached every civilized nation in the world where the language is spoken. 3. They write and receive hundreds of letters quarterly. 4. It was a commencement of what resulted in the N. E. Tract Society. 5. There are Sabbath-keepers in Ireland, England, Scotland, France, and different portions of this country, that are known to be the direct result of this labor, besides some companies in this country, who embraced the Sabbath before they ever saw a Seventh-day Adventist minister. 6. God has prospered that church, which commenced with ten members, until now it numbers seventy-five. Most of them are working members. 7. There has been a gradual ingathering of the children, until but a few of them are outside the church. Most of these sisters were and are still quite feeble, and all have families. What has been accomplished in this instance might be accomplished by churches all over our land, where now they continually complain of leanness, doubt, and darkness. Such means as I have above stated will give strength and courage to thousands of hearts, and a permanent growth of grace.

Every old REVIEW, HEALTH REFORMER, and SIGNS OF THE TIMES, might be thus used, until there would be a thousand avenues, where there is one at the present time, by which the truth would find way to others. May the Lord speed the time when it will be thus.

S. N. HASKELL.