AN APPEAL TO THE BRETHREN AND SISTERS IN NEW ENGLAND.
By S. N. Haskell
Although I have labored most of the time for several years outside of the N. E. Conference, my interest for the work in the same, where I have held official relations to the cause during this time, has not in the least abated. In short, I have sometimes thought it was increasing, and I have many times laid plans to visit and hold meetings in the several churches in this Conference, but duty has seemed to lead in other directions. There are many reasons why the N. E. Conference should occupy a prominent position in this work. 1. Here are some of our oldest brethren and sisters, who have been connected with it from its infancy, when its friends were few and its resources limited. Dear brethren, you have watched the onward course of this work until it has attained its present proportions; reaching in our own country from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean, from Oregon on the north to the Gulf of Mexico on the south. Missions have also been established in England, Switzerland, Denmark, and Norway, and from these places light has spread into every civilized nation in Europe. In Italy and Egypt, also, the third angel’s message is taught to Greeks, Arabians, Russians, Italians, and the remnants of other nations which are sitting in darkness. All this is in fulfillment of what was preached and believed thirty years ago,—that God would take witnesses for his name out from all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people. 2. You have seen men arise, and, with bitter feelings toward those whom God has chosen to lead in this work from its commencement, oppose different points of our faith, and predict that the work would come to naught. You have seen the confusion which these men have brought upon themselves, while the cause like the rising sun has steadily moved forward. 3. You have seen the tide turn in favor of the truth until every leading journal within the limits of the Conference was more than willing to publish the reports of our camp-meetings, and the different features of our faith. 4. God has honored New England in opening the way for his chosen instrument, whom our enemies have so bitterly reproached because of the gift of prophecy, to enter the largest halls in our popular cities and address thousands of attentive listeners. This is the Lord’s doings, and it is marvelous indeed. Certainly the brethren and sisters in New England should have faith in this work, be the most exemplary and self-sacrificing in their lives, the most prompt in every reform, of any Conference in the country. God has accepted the sacrificing labor of a few in this Conference, and has shown his willingness to do a greater work in the same if our brethren will only put forth the requisite efforts. But how is it with us, brethren, in regard to the reforms which have been presented to us? Do we take as much interest in the health reform as formerly? Do we practice simplicity in dress? Are we taking advance steps in these directions, or are we backsliding from God, and losing the simplicity of our faith? Are you willing to meet the record of the course you have pursued in these things, and the influence it has had on others, at the Judgment of the great day? Is not the tendency to pattern after the world and lead others to do the same, stronger than that toward a course of action which shows no fellowship with the follies and fashions of the present day? These things may be treated lightly now, but they will all have to be met in the day of Judgment. The youth and children will partake of the spirit and imitate the example of those who are older. God marks every departure from him, and sets it over against our names, and in the Judgment it will appear in its true character. Are we all adopting this? In testimony No. 6, Vol. 1, page 163, I find the following:— “I saw that in the arrangement of systematic benevolence, hearts will be tested and proved. It is a constant, living test. It brings one to understand his own heart,—to know whether the love of the truth or the love of the world predominates. Here is a test for the naturally selfish and covetous. . . . Cursed be he that doeth the work of the Lord deceitfully. Angels are watching the development of character. . . . All are required to have an interest in this work. Those who use tobacco, tea, and coffee should lay these articles aside, and put their cost into the treasury of the Lord. Some have never made any sacrifice for the cause of God, and are asleep as to what God requires of them. Some of the very poorest will have the greatest struggle to deny themselves of these stimulants. This individual sacrifice is not required because the cause of God is suffering for means, but every heart will be tested and its character developed. It is principle that God’s people must act upon. The living principle must be carried out in life.” “Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse, for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of Heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of hosts. I saw that this scripture has been misapplied to speaking and praying in meeting. The prophecy has a special application to the last days, and teaches God’s people their duty to bring a proportion of their substance as a freewill-offering to the Lord.” Perhaps some will say, “I do not know what a tithe is.” I answer, It is a tenth of all our receipts for the support of ourselves and families. Abraham gave a tenth of all as soon as he had received it. Heb. 7:4, 9; Gen. 14:20–24. The young men who assisted him in taking the spoil ate from the nine-tenths; for Abraham gave all but the tenth to the king of Sodom, save only that which the young men had eaten. Jacob only asked for bread to eat and raiment to put on, and added: “Of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee.” Gen. 28:20, 22. He does not say, “After I have taken my living out of it.” “And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the Lord’s; it is holy unto the Lord.” “And concerning the tithe of the herd, or of the flock, even of whatsoever passeth under the rod, the tenth shall be holy unto the Lord.” Lev. 27:30, 32. No man can give his tithe, for it was never his; it is the Lord’s, and he has no more right to it than to the seventh day of the week. To appropriate it for one’s own use is to rob God, and to even borrow it for the same is trespassing. “No man shall sanctify it, whether it be ox, or sheep; it is the Lord’s.” The Saviour says, when referring to the tithes of small things, as anise, cummin, mint, and all manner of herbs: “These ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.” Matt. 23:23; Luke 11:42. Some of the poorest churches financially in this Conference paid tithes on the old plan as liberally as any in proportion to their means; but after adopting the plan of laying aside one-tenth as they received it, they began to prosper, and their S. B. for two quarters is about as much as it was on the old plan for the whole year. And whereas they were so poor that it was necessary for some of the members to receive help, God has so blessed them that they are making arrangements to build a house of worship. Unless some of our old churches advance in this respect more rapidly than they have in the past, the first will become last, and the last first. Those who are dependent upon others for a support should have means placed in their hands, so that they can pay something into the treasury of the Lord. The children should be educated to bear a part in this work. Every individual, old or young, should give something for the support of the ministry. See Rom. 15:27; Gal. 6:6. Paul says, “Communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things,” and again, “Let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him.” 1 Cor. 16:1, 2. To withhold offerings is as much robbing God as to withhold tithes. “Ye have robbed me . . . in tithes and offerings.” Mal. 3:8. These offerings sustain the other branches of the work; as the tract society, building of meeting-houses, etc. Are we all particular to do this? Are our children taught to save their pennies and nickels for some enterprise in the cause of God? Is the fact that the sin of covetousness disqualifies men for positions of usefulness, and will finally shut individuals out of the kingdom of God, impressed upon every member of our families? Read Ex. 10:21; 1 Cor. 5:9–11; Eze. 33:31; Col. 3:5, 6. Liberality is the only practical remedy for covetousness, and the tithing system is adapted to this very end. Anciently God’s people brought peace-offerings, besides their regular sin-offerings. Ezra 3:4, 5; 7:15, 16; and these offerings were brought at their several annual gatherings which were held at three different times in the year. The Lord said that none should appear before him empty. Ex. 23:14, 15; Deut. 16:16; Num. 29:35–39; Deut. 16:9, 10. This was often a vow, or pledge, or in some way connected with one. “That which is gone out of thy lips thou shalt keep and perform; even a freewill-offering, according as thou hast vowed unto the Lord thy God, which thou hast promised with thy mouth.” Deut. 23:21–23. This was an odor of sweet smell, a sacrifice well pleasing to God. Phil. 4:8; Num. 15:3. The tract-society debt should be lifted by a reserve fund sufficiently large to carry twenty-five hundred dollars’ worth of publications, and thus the way should be prepared for any opening of God’s providence in the missionary work. There should be men who will pay one hundred dollars, and so on down to the dimes from the children. The interests of the Sabbath-school should not be neglected. The suggestions made in the Instructor from week to week are just what is needed. There are three things which I wish to mention as being very important helps in this work. In fact, I never knew a Sabbath-school to be wanting in interest where they are conscientiously adopted. 1. Teachers’ meetings for prayer and consultation as to the best plans for working for the interests of the school. These can be held each Sabbath morning at least one-half hour before the school commences. This will enable the teachers and officers to go into the school with a unanimity of feeling, and a spirit melted into tenderness by the love of Christ. 2. The attendance of all, both old and young, should always be secured. It will add interest to the school, and help to blend together and unite in the work all, especially the young. Perilous times are before us, and there is great need of coming near to God and his work. 3. An effort on the part of all to learn their lessons, so that answers can be given readily. If a verse of Scripture is to be repeated, commit it to memory before coming to the meeting. A plan for collecting contributions has been adopted on this coast, which is working admirably. Each teacher is furnished with a small box, and he collects from his class at such times during the week as is most convenient. At the end of the quarter a church Sabbath-school convention is held, when each box is opened, and a report is read giving the amount that each class in the school has donated during the quarter. This can be held evening after the Sabbath or Sunday, in connection with the church missionary meeting. We cannot be too much in earnest in this work, nor too anxious to keep pace with it in its various branches. There are many helps in the Sabbath-school work which every school should have, such as record books, Song Anchors, maps, etc. Especial pains should be taken to teach the children to sing the praises of God as soon as they can talk, and they should use their infant voices at the Sabbath-school and in the house of God. It was babes that shouted hosannas to welcome the Saviour in the temple. Evidences of the near coming of the Lord are thickening on every hand, and there are many who now profess the truth, who will fail of eternal life. But those who have the love of Christ and the truth in the heart, and who show that they are traveling in the upward path, will finally gain the victory; while those who shun the cross and conform to this world will at last perish with the wicked. Who, in view of the important time in which we live, will be stirred to action, and come nearer to God? Do we connect with God and Heaven? is an important question. Have we a daily experience in the things of God? Christ is our great exemplar, and by him and through him we can be more than conquerors; without him we shall fail. There is a rule by which we may know whether we are preparing for Heaven or not. If our daily life and deportment show that we are more and more like Christ, and more and more unlike the world, this is an unmistakable evidence that we are growing in grace. The attractions heavenward should become stronger daily, while those toward earth should become less and less. This is so if we are preparing for the kingdom of God. As you read these lines, compare your life with the pattern set forth in the Scriptures, and solemnly ask yourself the question, Am I as devoted as in months and years in the past? Is there that trembling at the word of God, that tender conscience, that anxiety to help forward the work, to render to the Lord his due? Are the Testimonies to the church read as in former times? If God has spoken to us, we should be familiar with what he has said. I know that there are many in darkness at the present time who do not know the cause, and they would be surprised to learn that they had been warned against many things that they are indulging in. Can such persons be saved while neglecting the light God has given them? Because the time has continued a few years longer than we expected, there is great danger of losing the spirit of devotion, and becoming worldly, feeling that we must provide for this life. “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you,” are the words of Christ. There should be a marked difference between Christ’s followers and the world in these respects. The Saviour says: “After all these things do the Gentiles seek; for your Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.” The Saviour would have us learn this lesson,—while we are careful to render to the Lord all that he claims of us, he will prosper and make our efforts successful in our temporal matters. He watches the fall of the sparrow, and knows what his people need. If our greatest anxiety is to be right, and to do right in all things, he will work for us. The cloud is certainly rising, and we should be prepared to go forward. May God bless the cause of present truth in New England is my daily prayer. S. N. HASKELL.