WHAT SHALL BE DONE? by S. N. Haskell

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 20, 1878

WHAT SHALL BE DONE?

By S. N. Haskell

Every branch of the cause is calling for means to help forward in the spread of the truth. Openings are multiplying before us in every direction. The European mission is calling for help. The Italian Sabbath-keepers stretch forth their hands for aid. The islands of the Mediterranean Sea are waiting for God's law. They are appealing to our Italian brethren to send them light. The witnesses for God's truth in Egypt ask for assistance. The European mission needs one hundred dollars where it has one. We come to this country, and where missionary efforts are put forth with the proper spirit, and in a judicious manner, the cry is for more means to send the truth to those who are famishing for want of it. Our General Conference treasury sadly needs replenishing. This fact should be remembered by the different Conferences at their annual sessions. We therefore say to each of these Conferences, Remember the General Conference in the disposal of your funds. Colorado, Arkansas, and other portions of this country, must soon be entered as missionary fields. Tents must soon be run in our large cities, until the message shall echo from one end of the land to the other. What we do must be done quickly. There are also the vigilant missionary societies, which are not fully appreciated. In many of our churches they are proving a great success; and where they are a success, there comes the same cry for help. When we were at Sheridan, Ill., last winter, the sisters became very anxious to organize a vigilant missionary society. Our time was so occupied that the only opportunity for doing this was at the close of a Sunday evening meeting, between the hours of nine and twelve P. M. An organization was effected, and the interest has increased up to the present time. The following extract from a private letter written May 22 speaks for itself:—

“We had another good meeting to-day, with only one discouraging feature, and that was, we have not enough work to do. Our papers are reduced to twenty-eight copies. We have at present twenty-two members, and others would like to work. What shall we do? I am glad that I can report a zeal to work. Some of our members are indeed very anxious to do good. A widow lady living almost alone, with four little children depending upon her care, and being obliged to labor much out of doors, told me, at one of our meetings, that in order to get her mail ready that week she left her bed at one o’clock A. M. and wrote three missionary letters before daylight.”

“Another sister who has not been able to meet with us for some time, sends in her report every week, with the request that more work be sent to her, as she wants to do her full share of the Lord’s work. Other members would like to take more names, but on account of our lack of papers, are not able to do so. Now what shall we do? Shall we try to raise more money and send for another club? For the last two or three weeks I have been waiting, hoping that the Lord would open the way for us to get more papers. I begin to think he wants us to open it ourselves. Upon reading the appeal for the French paper in the Supplement, I was moved, and immediately sent for five copies at my own expense. I feel interested in this work, and want to do all I can to help it forward. We have only a short time in which to work.”

Under date of May 23, she says:—

“Since writing this letter the sister before-mentioned, who made a sacrifice of her rest for the truth’s sake, has handed me two very interesting letters received to-day, from persons to whom she has sent papers. We must have more papers. I feel that with the help of the Lord we can do some good. In our society we can correspond with the French and Germans, as well as with those who speak English. I hope that the Lord will help us to be in earnest in this great and noble work.”

We have tried to encourage our friends to establish these societies in all our churches, and to induce individuals living alone to work upon the same principle; but in some instances they do not prosper as well. From some cause they do not find readers; but few, if any, become sufficiently interested to subscribe for our periodicals, etc. Now to such we say, Do not become discouraged. If the society where you are does not prosper, and you do not make a success of it, join some society nearest you in your Conference, and co-operate with that. Every Conference from which I have heard directly has a greater or less number of live, prosperous vigilant missionary societies within its limits. By corresponding with the secretaries of these societies, you will receive all necessary information with regard to co-operating with them. Do not slacken your hand in the least. For the truth’s sake, for the sake of the cause of Christ, and for your own soul’s sake, let your sacrifices and efforts increase, rather than diminish. The Lord is coming, and that speedily.

I learn that in one of our Conferences, which ranks among the most able financially, and in one of the most able churches in that Conference, when a few of the sisters engaged in this kind of labor, the zeal of the more able brethren so abated after a time, that they refused to pay their pledges. After those who felt the most interested in the work had done what they could, they took it to the Lord in prayer, and then went to their unbelieving neighbors, who helped them, so that they were able to add twenty-three copies to their former club of SIGNS. Such zeal is commendable. The work must go, and it will go, and Heaven’s blessing will rest upon the workers.

S. N. Haskell.