The Difference by Stephen Nelson Haskell

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jan 1, 1885

The Difference.

By Stephen Nelson Haskell

THERE is a great difference in the way people look at things. The world presents a very attractive appearance to some, while others go through it seeing nothing that is not dark and dreary. The tide is always setting in against them, and they see no good in anything. So it is in matters of morality and religion. To the child of God the Bible is the Book of books. He sees in all the history of God's people traced upon its pages in beautiful symmetry, the triumphs of grace, while the skeptic looks upon it as a mass of contradictions without beauty or harmony. The Egyptians could not see the divine hand that spared the Israelites from the judgments that came upon all Egypt. They saw no propriety in the Israelites going out into the wilderness. To the Egyptians all the moves of the Israelites were enshrouded in darkness, simply because they were on the wrong side of the cloud; but the Israelites had light in their pathway. Joy sprang up in their hearts as the frozen sea stood in walls on their right hand and on their left. The Egyptians followed on the same path, but the way to them was dark, ending in destruction.

To the unbeliever the providence of God is a dark mystery, while to the Christian it is illuminated with divine rays from Heaven, which give courage, strength, and great joy. Simon Peter saw the mark of God's special providence in the net full of fishes. Judas did not appreciate his divine Lord and Master, and so sold him for a few pieces of silver. The papists reasoned that if they could rid the earth of Protestantism, it would give them relief from the disturbers of their peace. They envied the happiness of those who broke loose from their thralldom, but could see no light in the doctrines of the Reformation, and so, like men bereft of reason, they persecuted those who had the true light and were seeking God. The people of the world at the present time think those deluded who are looking for the coming of Christ in the near future, as much as the Jews thought the disciples deluded in believing in the Son of God. To the Greeks and wise men of earth, the gospel was foolishness, and to the Jews a stumbling-block. Mistakes similar to those made by the Jews and men of the world at the first advent, will also be made by corresponding classes of people at the second advent.

As a people, we can see great light in the truths that God's providence is revealing to us. Our minds go back less than two-score years, when there were but few who believed the solemn truths contained in the warning of Rev. 14:9-12. This work which commenced so small at that time has since encircled the earth, and now has believers in every civilized nation on the globe. Accepting the divine declaration that this message is to go to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, and that the whole earth is to be lightened with the truths that pertain to the last days, which will be preached as a witness to all nations, we can see the wonderful providence of God in circumstances which aid in spreading a knowledge of these truths. When Christ comes in the clouds of heaven, he will gather representatives from every nation, and tongue, and people; hence when we see individuals embracing the Sabbath of the Lord and the doctrine of the second coming of Christ, even without having seen the living preacher, and in many instances without having read a tract, it causes great encouragement and rejoicing. We see great light in these things, but those who reject the evidences of Christ's soon coming and the requirements of God's law, can see no light in such an extensive dissemination of these unpopular doctrines. To them it is foolishness, and anything but agreeable.

The last year of missionary labor presents many encouraging features. The number of publications distributed last year, as reported by our missionary societies, shows that something has been done. About 9,378,520 pages of tracts, and 1,921,920 periodicals have been distributed, and this is a report from less than one-half of our tract society members. Less than one-half the members of our churches are members of the tract societies. It is probable that more than one-half of our people belong to no church whatever on account of being so scattered, and quite a large proportion of them are working members, consequently a large amount of publications has been distributed during the past year outside of all the society organizations. There are many people connected with the missionary work of other denominations, who are actively engaged in the distribution of our periodicals in the various cities of this country and Europe. God is raising up people to do the work committed to his own people, and they express as much anxiety, and devotion to the work, as many of our own people manifest. The Macedonian cry comes from all parts of Europe as well as America. Even Asia and the isles of the sea are stretching out their hands, and saying, Give us your reading matter, and if possible give us a preacher. As a people we are far behind the providence of God.

Steps were taken at our late General Conference to establish missions in fields where we have none at present. There are opportunities for every child of God to work in his cause. We should sow the seed beside all waters, for we know not which will prosper, either this or that, or whether they both will be alike good. The time is not far distant when God will crown his work with a victory far greater than any which the world has ever witnessed. Shall we be discouraged now? Never. Our faith grows stronger, our hope brighter, and our courage increases as we see the providence of God co-operating with every plan carried into execution for the spread of the truth. S. N. HASKELL.