p. 746 | The Missionary by Stephen N. Haskell

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Dec 10, 1885

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 11, No. 47.

The Missionary.

By Stephen N. Haskell

Auckland, New Zealand.

ENCOURAGING ITEMS.

IN some respects the work in the colonies has not been as easy as might have been expected; yet from time to time we have seen encouraging features that have caused our hearts to rejoice. Quite a number in Australia have taken their stand to keep all the commandments of God, and we have some fruit in New Zealand. But there are circumstances which frequently take place that show that the missionary work in America is doing much in warning the world, and preparing hearts for the truth in the most distant and isolated places. Not long since, an interesting circumstance came to light while Brother Israel was visiting the ships at the port of Williamsburg, near Melbourne. When he showed the SIGNS OF THE TIMES, the captain at once said, "Yes, I am acquainted with that paper. While in India, we had them brought on board our ship by a missionary, and freely distributed." This, of course, excited our curiosity to know how they came in India, and who was there that took an interest to do missionary work with them. But it was left a mystery. We wrote to the missionary, and sent him a package of publications, proposing to send more if they were acceptable. We also sent a library set for their seaman's library. Thus the matter was left.

Since coming to New Zealand, we have become acquainted with a number of people who have lived in India for many years; some of them were natives of that country, and to all appearance humble and devoted people. From these individuals we have learned much that will be of service to us in our future labors. At one house, a few days since, when I took out the SIGNS, the lady, who was a native of India, said, "I am well acquainted with that

paper." "Indeed," I said, "where did you see this paper?" "In India," she replied, "Quantities have been sent there from both America and England." "Who received them, if I may ask?" "A Mr. Spence," she replied.

At first I could not call to mind anything about Mr. Spence; but as she described the man, it finally came to me who he was. The first correspondence with this gentleman of which I have any knowledge was by a brother in Battle Creek, Mich. I received his address from him, and corresponded with him, not only with reference to his receiving our publications, but also translating some of them into the native languages. So I said to the lady that I had corresponded with him. "Yes," she said, "I knew it." The family where I was visiting were intimate friends of Mr. Spence, as also of other families with whom I have become acquainted. Mr. Spence is a kind of distributer to the various missions.

It almost seemed that I had met with old acquaintances. The report she gave of the man greatly encouraged my heart. This family is reading, and we hope that in due time they may see the truth so clear that they will take their stand on the observance of the Sabbath of the Lord, having received their first impressions in distant India. When we have labored for persons living on the opposite side of the globe from us, and have corresponded with them, and have borne them on our hearts and have prayed for them day by day, and suddenly find ourselves in their presence, we have a foretaste of the bliss of Heaven. 2 Cor. 2: 14; 1 Thess. 2: 19, 20.

We have also seen other fruits of the labor on the Pacific Coast. When I arrived here, as I supposed a perfect stranger to all in this colony, especially in this city, Auckland, being entirely alone, I went to meeting on Sunday. On being introduced to the minister, he soon began to speak about our works, and said that he had read a number of our books. I asked what ones. He mentioned the "Atonement," by Elder Waggoner, and "Refutation of the Age to Come." Then he spoke of Elder Andrews' work on the Third Angel's Message. In short, he was well informed, and had just sent to America for certain books from the Review office. I learned that a gentleman who had attended our camp-meeting at Alameda, Cal., had traveled here and sold our publications. He said that many had purchased of him. I met another American gentleman also. He wished to know if I had ever heard of Doctor Kellogg of Battle Creek, and said that he had a copy of his work, "Home Hand-Book," and as others wished it, if I knew how he could get another, he would sell his. He then told me that the hygienic cook book had been purchased here, and told me where I could find them. He said they had a number of the doctor's works.

When my name was announced in the papers, and it was said that I had come here for the purpose of establishing an agency, there were many who knew who I was, and were acquainted with our work and mission. This has so far been a help to me in Auckland, N. Z., and has given me influence in this city in some instances. Our work is not done in a corner. The truth has gone even to earth's remotest bounds, and it is destined to go. The Lord is in it, and it can no more be arrested in its onward march than the sun can be stopped in its career. There is no telling the result of sending out a tract or a copy of the SIGNS. When once mailed, the providence of God takes the supervision of the truth, and directs it to the hearts of the honest. Could we realize the importance of disseminating the truth, there is not a person in the world that has any idea of sacred things but would crave the privilege of doing something, making some investment in an enterprise like this, and that to the extent of their ability to forward the work of God.

S. N. H.