Elder Haskell's Address, by Stephen Nelson Haskell

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · May 8, 1884

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 10, No. 18.

Elder Haskell's Address,

By Stephen Nelson Haskell

TO THE STOCKHOLDERS OF THE PUBLISHING ASSOCIATION.

DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS:—I would be glad for many reasons to meet with you in your annual meeting, and also in the annual meetings of the College and Health Retreat, were it consistent with other duties. There are enterprises which our brethren on the Pacific Coast have nobly commenced, which I would gladly help them through with; but under the present circumstances I can only avail myself of the privilege of writing a few lines, to be read at your annual meeting.

There is no Conference or legal institution in which I have felt a deeper interest than those on the Pacific Coast, especially the Publishing Association and the College. We have great reason to praise God for his blessing which has attended the untiring efforts of those connected with the Publishing Association on the Pacific Coast during the past few years. But even these efforts would not have been as successful as they have been, had they not been backed up by the moral and financial support of the friends on the coast, especially those in California. It is not a burden nor a calamity in any sense for any people to have such heavy responsibilities placed upon them; but it is an honor to have God consider us worthy to bear responsibilities as great as have been placed upon the friends in California, in having in your midst a publishing house from which are issued publications which go to "earth's remotest bound."

The object of the publishing house was to print present truth. Printing for outside parties has been a secondary matter, and at first thought, it might seem that no good could arise from such intimate relations with the world as would be necessary in doing such an amount of work for business men of the world. But such a conclusion would be hastily and unwisely drawn. By this business relation the fact has been demonstrated that Christians looking for the second coming of Christ, and observing the Seventh-day Sabbath, can, in the midst of a pleasure-loving people worshiping an idolatrous Sabbath, do business with the world and not sacrifice their Christian integrity or deny their faith. Second, it has called the attention of men to the truth who otherwise might not have seen the light.

It is by our good works when mingling with the world that the light shines before others. We are actuated by different motives and work on different principles; but it is evident that the time has come when God would have us enlarge our own work, so that the talent and experience gained in working for others should be more exclusively given to our specific work. The work of God needs the best talent, the best facilities, and the benefit of a practical experience. But the work done in the future should bear more of the divine mark, and be a special advertisement of our people and of our specific work. We are a missionary people. Our work is a missionary work. Our publications are missionary publications, consequently the SIGNS Office is a missionary office. Our success in the office, as much as the success of those in the field preaching the truth, depends upon God. He is the author and finisher of our faith. It is for the interests of his cause that the office was established. Hence the important question arises, How can it, and those connected with it, best promote the glory of God and answer its original design?

1. Financially it should be the banking institution of our people on the Pacific Coast. In it they should make their deposits without interest, as far as possible.

2. It would be far better for our brethren who have mortgages, stocks, or bonds, to transfer them to the Association at a low rate of interest, and thus be helping the cause. The time is near when the best securities this world can give will not be worth the paper upon which they are written.

3. Then let this institution be generous towards our other institutions on the Pacific Coast, in assisting them financially, realizing that they are a part of the one common cause, and that in upholding them, it is advancing the cause of truth.

4. Stock should be taken. The shares are only ten dollars each. Many of the friends have lifted nobly in the past, but there are others who have embraced the truth more recently, who have taken no stock in the institution. They should be invited to take from one to fifty shares. The spirit of taking stock should be revived.

5. A spirit of prayer should be encouraged among our brethren, that God would bless the institution, and its workers. It is a very important part of God's work on the coast.

6. A spirit of devotion and consecration should be encouraged throughout the entire establishment. There is always a tendency to worldliness in such an institution. As far as possible those employed should be men and women of prayer. In no case should it be a place for those who have no integrity of character. God cannot accept the labors of those who are persistent in doing evil.

7. It would seem that the time has come when books should be prepared in a more acceptable form. What I mean is, canvassing books should be prepared. The "History of the Sabbath" should have been in the market before this as a subscription book. That portion of the works of Sister White which is of a general interest should also be prepared in subscription book form. There should be some works prepared immediately, so that canvassers who are obtaining an experience in the canvassing work can pay their expenses. But should this branch of the work be pushed, and the labor of the office be turned more in this channel, it would require funds to carry forward the work, for it would not bring in returns as outside job work.

It may also be necessary to make some purchases and have some changes in the real estate effected the coming year. What I say upon this point is only suggestive, as I am unable to judge as well as those who are upon the spot. Therefore, I would not wish what I say to have too much weight in these matters. I would not suggest the purchase of real estate beyond what is necessary for the enlargement of our business, merely for the sake of outside patronage. If we could in some way connect in our business relations with the islands of the Pacific Ocean, Australia, etc., it might be well to do so, since the work must soon extend to those places, and people coming from there will look to the Pacific Coast for a representation of the cause. Could we be known as an upright, business people by persons when they receive the first impressions of the truth, and come in contact with us, it might be a help to the cause of Christ.

In all the plans you lay do not forget the fact that we are in the last days of the last generation. We should therefore be prepared to increase our work tenfold on short notice. Expect great things from God. He has a great work to do, and will accomplish it in a short time. My interest will ever be the same for the prosperity of the cause on the coast, but I shall not be able, I fear, to be there very much in the future. To the brethren there I am strongly attached, and there is not one word of complaint which I could make of any one. In every plan which we have tried to carry through for the advancement of the cause, we have had a hearty co-operation from all the friends on the coast, so that with the blessing of God there has been success. In union has been our strength. It has been, under God, the faithful laborers on the coast who have accomplished this. You have on the coast men of judgment, those who fear God; and there are successful business men living in the country, who, could they be influenced to move into the city, would be of help. They will be willing to connect their interest there if they see it duty. You want their active co-operation and judgment. Give proper persons a chance to develop, by giving them positions, or in some way connecting them with you. May God bless you in all your deliberations, and may the Publishing Institutions accomplish their mission with triumph and glory. I remain as ever. Your brother in the work. S. N. HASKELL.