LABORERS WANTED by Stephen Nelson Haskell

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Mar 25, 1880

LABORERS WANTED.

By Stephen Nelson Haskell

REFORMS have never been brought about without effort. It has required men and women of iron nerve, those who possessed an undying devotion to the principles of truth which were advanced, and those who would meet obstacles with firm and unyielding trust in him who was the author of the right. When one is willing to yield his own way, his own personal interest, in short, lead a life of self-denial, and if need be, sacrifice his life to the principles of righteousness, then there will be power in his efforts.

It is faithful, untiring laborers that are wanted. Our Saviour taught his disciples to pray "the Lord of the harvest," to send forth laborers into his harvest. "Not simply teachers, or preachers, but "laborers." When the spirit of labor rests on men, God can use them. Although their ability may be small and their education limited, yet by earnest devotion to the work they may accomplish much.

I have before me a letter which speaks of the labor of a colporter in Pennsylvania. This man is not a preacher, but a laborer. He feels the burden of the missionary work. The letter says of this brother: "He has had the best of success. In four weeks he secured one hundred and twenty-four subscribers to our periodicals, sold between three and four dollars' worth of tracts, besides selling some books, and holding meetings in one neighborhood. Fourteen embraced the Sabbath as the result of his labors, among whom is one of the town school officers; many others are favorable. He is doing a splendid work; has brought out a good class of people, and this too, in what has been considered one of the hardest fields of Pennsylvania, right in the oil territory."

This circumstance demonstrates the utility of acting as colporters with our publications. God's providence is thus indicating what he is willing to do. Shall we conclude that this person, and a few others whose efforts God is blessing, are the only ones in the world whom He will accept in performing this kind of labor? most certainly not. There is not a Conference but what there are men and women in it whose efforts God would accept if they would enter the field with a spirit of love and devotion to His cause. We hope this spirit will be revived in California. This Conference has shown an appreciation of help sent to it. But it should not wholly rely upon foreign help. There are men and women upon this coast whom God can and will make useful in helping to build up his cause. It is those who possess an unyielding integrity, that would lead them to be willing to die rather than to sacrifice principle or become disconnected from the cause of their divine Master, that the Lord wants as laborers.

S. N. HASKELL.