p. 666 | The Missionary by Stephen Nelson Haskell

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Nov 6, 1884

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 10, No. 42.

The Missionary.

By Stephen Nelson Haskell

The New England Quarterly Meeting.

This meeting was held in connection with the dedication of the new school buildings. Combining the two, brought in a larger number of friends than would otherwise have assembled. About three hundred of our people were in attendance on the Sabbath and first-day. Some who were not observing the Sabbath, but who had become interested while working on the school buildings, were present at the meeting. The church was well filled. The influence of the dedication which took place on Friday at one o'clock had an excellent effect not only upon our brethren and sisters, but upon the leading educational men in the place who were present. There seemed to be an excellent religious interest from the commencement.

Quite a number who had become interested in the truth by reading took their stand at this meeting. One young man from New Hampshire, who came to the meeting with his uncle, embraced the Sabbath and went home to close up his affairs so that he might return in a few weeks, and attend the school the coming winter. A man who had been engaged to put in some work in connection with the school, also came, and we understand returned home to keep the Sabbath. In fact we never had a quarterly meeting at which so many took their stand to keep the Sabbath, as at this. The same might be said as to the results of the camp-meeting held in Worcester. One woman embraced the Sabbath at the camp-meeting, went home, and since then her husband has embraced the truth with her. They too were at this meeting and both were baptized. Nine are reported as taking their stand in favor of the Sabbath in the city of Worcester since the camp-meeting, and many more are interested.

There is no Conference that has distributed more reading matter without seeing individuals embrace the truth than the New England Conference. Thousands of dollars have been expended in scattering publications among the people, and now we are beginning to see the results of the missionary work. Sometimes we had almost questioned the propriety of carrying the distribution of reading matter so far and of paying out so much money as some of our brethren have done in this Conference, when so few results could be seen. But now in towns all through the Conference, there are individuals who are embracing the truth, and springing up in its defense, as plants grow out of the earth. Many of these have been receiving the Signs of the Times, and within a few months have been convinced in regard to the Sabbath, and have now commenced its observance. Some of them are individuals of influence and means. There are many very encouraging features in this respect, which give courage to the missionary workers.

The report of the missionary society showed that a greater amount of work has been done during the past quarter and during the past year than ever before in the same length of time. Our preachers in New England are few, but our laborers are increasing. Our brethren were much encouraged. Elder Whitney was here from New York, Elders Burrill and Hutchins from Vermont, Elder Smith from Michigan, and Elders Goodrich and Hersum from Maine. Taking all things together, we consider this meeting the most encouraging to the friends of the cause of any that ever was held in this Conference.

The school commenced on Wednesday, Oct. 22. Two are on their way from South America, having embraced the truth there. One is a teacher, and desires to learn our method of teaching, that he may go back and teach the same to his friends. Thus God is bringing within the range of truth, individuals from long distances. What the result of all this will be, Heaven only knows; but we are certain a great work is before us as individuals and as a people, and if we are faithful to our trust to let our light shine, God will go before us, and will work for us, and in a manner that it can be seen that there is a God in Israel, and that he cares for his people. S. N. Haskell.

South Lancaster, Mass.