OUR WORK by S. N. Haskell

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 21, 1879

OUR WORK.

By S. N. Haskell

It is evident that many have not viewed this work in its true light, nor appreciated its real magnitude. We have not been able to comprehend the full scope of the third angel’s message. Many have theoretically believed that God had committed to this people a message to warn the world; but to realize what must be done to accomplish this work is quite another thing. If the world is to be warned, and the truth is to find its way to every State and Territory in this Union, and into every part of such State or Territory, if it is to go to every civilized nation on the globe, wherever there are honest hearts, a question of the utmost importance arises: How is this to be accomplished? Will God send an angel from Heaven to preach the truth, and to carry this work forward without the co-operation of man? Can we fold our hands, or quietly work on our farms and attend to our worldly interests, so that we may meet with no pecuniary loss, and then rejoice in the prosperity of the work without lifting a finger for its advancement? Has God changed in his plan of accomplishing his work here upon the earth?

Is it not true that God has chosen men as his agents to carry out his design in the promulgation of his truth among mankind? Has he not committed to men and women talents of usefulness? and do not these talents embrace temporal means, position in society, ability to present the truth in an acceptable manner, or whatever gives influence in society? These talents God will require with usury. The usury is our influence upon others in gathering with Christ. All our works in the day of Judgment will be tried with fire; for the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is; and if any man’s work abide, he shall receive a reward; and every man shall receive a reward according to the fruits of his labor.

God has made his people depositaries of his law, and has given them light and truth which is to reach many nations, kindred, tongues, and people. It is this people that are to be instrumental in imparting that light and truth to others. Man is only a steward of his talents. These are lent him of God, to be used for his glory. And God will hold him to a strict account for the use of those talents which he has committed to him. If he neglects to use the talents in his possession, when the cause of Christ is languishing, and appropriates to himself that which is needed to further the truth of God, he becomes an unfaithful steward by withholding from God that which belongs to him, and when he fails in this life he will sink into eternal ruin. The records kept in Heaven of every one that is saved, will show that the talents are not only returned, but that the usury accompanies them. Here are the talents Thou gavest me, and I have gained others besides them, says the faithful servant. This usury is the fruit of the life of the child of God that is manifested in the salvation of others.

A fearful responsibility rests upon those who have received the light of present truth. In the providence of God there have been committed to them talents of usefulness. Organization has been effected for the purpose of more successfully carrying forward the work of God. Individuals hold positions of responsibility in these organizations, and if they fulfill their responsibilities it will require time and effort that will affect their worldly interests. It will require sacrifice and burden-bearing on their part. And if they refuse to bear these burdens and make these sacrifices, the record of their lives made by the angels of God will show that they have thought God a hard master, reaping where he had not sown, and gathering where he had not strawed.

And to all such it will be said, “Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents; for unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance; but from him that hath not, shall be taken away even that which he hath. And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

The work in which we are engaged is one of great importance. It cannot be trifled with without terrible consequences ensuing. God is speaking to this people as he has spoken to no other people since the days of the apostles. The evidence of the truthfulness of the spirit of prophecy which has been in our midst for the past quarter of a century, cannot be questioned by those who are acquainted with its fruits.

None can say, “There is no place for me in this work.” The influence of V. M. societies and individuals who are engaged in the weekly distribution of reading matter, is being felt in every civilized nation of the globe. More than one thousand copies of our periodicals in the American, French, Swedish, Danish, German and Italian languages, filled with precious truth, are being mailed each week. Hundreds of our sisters are engaged in this work, many of whom are feeble, and pressed with family cares. They may have felt that their lives were of no use outside of their families; but they will see much fruit, in the Judgment, as the result of their efforts. The few copies of Signs they have mailed each week, the letters they have written, prompted by hearts full of warmth and tenderness, and received while prayers were being offered to God to prepare the heart for the reception of truth, will bear an abundance of fruit.

Glorious times are these in which we live, permitted as we are to have a part in a work like this, in which God’s providence is so vividly seen going before, and stimulating the people of God to move forward. On land and sea, carried by the power of steam as well as by the living messenger, by means of periodicals and tracts, the rays of light are finding their way to the utmost bounds of civilization. Some have embraced the truth from having had their attention first called to the Sabbath question by the click of the telegraph as it bore a Sabbath message through an office to its destination. Like the leaves of autumn, Sabbath literature is spreading over the earth’s surface.

Those who are canvassing for Good Health, and circulating health and temperance tracts issued from our publishing houses, are preparing the way of the Lord, as did John the Baptist. The health reform sustains the same relation to present truth that the right arm does to the human system. It presents those principles which prepare hearts for the reception of the doctrines of the soon-coming King. By this means attention is also directed to our publishing houses, the College, and the Sanitarium. Those individuals who have sufficient interest to carry with them the Sanitarium circulars and place them in the hands of invalids, in reading-rooms and public places where they will be read, are co-workers with angels in the work of God. We learn from one canvasser in Canada that he has received the sum of two hundred dollars within three months, on subscriptions for Good Health, Signs of the Times, and the sale of our books and tracts, in one town.

God is giving us the field. Shall we not be stirred to enter the harvest and gather a few sheaves for the heavenly garner? May God bless the tract workers everywhere.

S. N. HASKELL.