p. 442 | The Missionary by S. N. Haskell

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jul 24, 1884

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 10, No. 28.

The Missionary.

By S. N. Haskell

Where Are We?

To ONE who is crossing the ocean and anxious to reach his native land, this is a question of great interest; and if in answer to it, he is assured that he is rapidly drawing near the end of the voyage, he feels a relief which cannot be expressed. Each day the mariner takes his reckoning to ascertain how far he has advanced and where he is. So also with those who for many years have been watching the prophetic chart, there is no question of greater interest and importance than, Where are we on the stream of time? Constantly we hear the inquiries, "Are we nearing the port?" "What are the present indications?" "What do the way-marks denote?" "Does land appear in sight?"

In this article we propose to call attention to a few indications of our whereabouts, which will be appreciated especially by those who have been watching the signs of the times for the last forty years, or more.

The rise and fall of the four universal monarchies of Daniel, chapters 2, 7, 8, and 11, are in the past. Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome, are among the things that were. The days of papacy, twelve hundred and sixty years, are numbered, and their fulfillment recorded on the pages of history. The two-horned beast of Rev. 13 has already arisen, and been identified as to its location and work by so many evidences that there can be no question respecting the fulfillment of this prophecy. In most if not all of the States east of the Rocky Mountains, petitions requesting the various State Legislatures to prevent the running of Sunday trains, have been presented to the people for them to sign. The representative men of our country, governors, ministers, judges, etc., have determined that they will not let the question rest until, as they say, God is acknowledged in the Constitution of the United States. They decidedly repudiate the idea of merely a civil enactment respecting prohibition, Mormonism, and the observance of Sunday. They say we must change the Constitution of the United States so that the enforcement of these questions will be from a religious stand-point. This is union of church and State and will constitute "an image to the beast which had a wound by the sword and did live." They think that this will make a Christian nation, and bring the temporal millennium; but in its stead, scenes that have transpired in former religious persecutions will be again enacted.

On the other hand, the gospel is to be preached "in all the world for a witness unto all nations, and then shall the end come." Matt. 24:14. The Third Angel's Message, which is a warning against the beast and his image, and which presents the commandments of God and faith of Jesus as a shield to the people of God, is to go to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people. This is the work for this time. When it has accomplished the design of God, the end will come. Rev. 14:6-12.

This message has, in some respects, made more advancement in the last twelve months than during many years previous. Plans have been laid which, when carried out, will accomplish much. Four new papers have been started in Europe in as many different languages, and have gone forth in their mission to warn the world. These new papers have already nearly a self-sustaining subscription list. These periodicals in the English, German, Roumanian, and Italian languages, with the French papers are sent to tens of thousands in these several nationalities. God is raising up laborers among them to enter the harvest-field.

The cause in the Scandinavian countries is also receiving impetus in the enlargement of their publishing work. Four periodicals are

sent out from the publishing house at Christiana, with other publications. In our own country the present season opens with even brighter omens than in Europe. And why should not this be the case? It is the missionary field for the world. This Government has been established in the providence of God. There is no nation upon the globe that does not have its representatives here. It is a land of freedom; a land where all can worship God according to the dictates of a conscience enlightened by God's word, and thus it will continue until the Constitution is so amended that the Sunday law can be enforced.

It was about thirty years ago that a paper, known then as Present Truth, began to be published in Middletown, Conn., advocating the restoration of the Bible Sabbath and other truths, which during the Dark Ages had been trampled into the dust by the "man of sin." At the present time there are eighteen papers published, with an aggregate monthly circulation of over two hundred thousand copies. The first power press, upon which was printed our weekly denominational paper and other publications, was purchased in 1857. A large two-story brick building was subsequently erected to accommodate our publishing work. In 1872, eleven years later, it became necessary to have another building of equal size, and the year following, a third. Finally two were united, which was equal to a fourth building. These buildings cover upwards of thirty thousand square feet, which have become literally occupied with the work. One power press after another has been purchased until eight are now devoted to publishing present truth, at Battle Creek, Mich. Much outside work was formerly done, which has served the purpose of giving financial aid as well as an experience in the publishing work. This necessitated the purchase of other machinery, which was made with the belief that the time would come when this experience, talent, and machinery would be devoted to the work of printing the truths for these last days.

The denominational work has gradually increased during the past two or three years, and outside work has received less and less attention. Greater efforts have been made to get our publications before the people, and God has signally blessed these efforts. Our city missions, and the increased efforts of our tract societies through canvassers, colporters, etc., have so increased the demand for our publications that all of our power presses at Battle Creek, Mich., are at the present time employed in our denominational work. During the twenty days preceding the writing of this article, the reading matter shipped from the office has been over one ton per day. It is impossible to estimate how large editions of our different publications to print, on account of the increase in the orders. It is stated that the number of pages which they are unable to send at the time orders are received, are more than the largest orders were one year ago. Sometimes an edition of from fifteen to twenty thousand of some tract is printed and one order will come in and take them all. Thus it is impossible to keep up with the present demand, and if it long continues thus, our presses must run night and day.

The camp-meetings the present season present some very encouraging features. Our brethren and sisters have the spirit to move forward and take advance steps. About one-fifth of the entire population in the United States is represented by the cities in which missions have been or are about to be established. Over $50,000 will have been raised for our city missions before the summer closes, besides $200,000 for other home and foreign missionary work.

At the Kansas camp-meeting over forty persons offered themselves to labor in the cause as canvassers, colporters, or in any capacity which the Conference might recommend. The same interest was manifested in Nebraska and other Conferences. There can be no doubt but that the cloud is rising before God's people, and God by his providence is saying "Go forward."

On the Pacific Coast the evidences of God's leading providence are equally visible. The office of publication here was established in 1876. The Signs of the Times, issuing from it weekly, visits every nation where the English language is spoken. As the result, believers are being raised up in all parts of the world. Upon the Pacific Coast an institution of learning has also been established in the providence of God, as well as at Battle Creek, Mich., and South Lancaster, Mass. Thus God has given the people on the Pacific Coast every facility for the accomplishment of the work for which he has made them responsible. The work must also soon be opened in Australia, New Zealand, and other islands of the Pacific Ocean.

The object in establishing the publishing house upon the Pacific Coast was for the dissemination of present truth, although for financial reasons, and in order to gain an influence with business men, outside work has been done. We hope that the time is not far distant when every press in the publishing house at Oakland as well as Battle Creek will be exclusively employed in our denominational work. The enlarging of facilities is preparing for this.

The time has come for advance moves. A vast work is before us. Are we preparing for the work as rapidly as God is preparing the work for us? This is an important question. Important responsibilities rest upon God's people west of the Rocky Mountains as well as elsewhere. If California does in proportion to its ability as some of the Eastern Conferences are doing for the advancement of the cause the present season, within twelve months our institutions upon the Pacific Coast will be free from embarrassment. The work is of God and it is onward. There is no going back. The people may fail to do their duty, and may lose their crowns, but the work of God cannot fail to accomplish its object. S. N. Haskell.