THE WORK FOR THE PRESENT TIME by Stephen Nelson Haskell

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · May 27, 1880

THE WORK FOR THE PRESENT TIME.

By Stephen Nelson Haskell

THE light of present truth is designed of God to find its way "to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people." It is God's arrangement that man should be the instrument by which this will be accomplished.

Angels have their work, but it is not to preach to man or print books for his instruction. It is an honor conferred upon man to engage in this work of God; and it is a condescension on the part of God to give him this privilege. God has also ordained that those whom he uses to do this work should possess a humble teachable spirit. Just in proportion as they have the spirit which brought Christ from Heaven will they be successful in this work. Christ came not to be ministered unto but to minister; and they who are truly his followers will possess a spirit of self-denial and a willingness to serve not themselves but others. It will require a devotion on the part of his followers that will lead them to make every effort to further the cause of God on the earth.

As the work advances it will require additional sacrifices on the part of God's people. These will consist in the giving of themselves to God, their means, and everything they possess which can be used to advance the cause of our Redeemer. As the fire which anciently consumed the offerings of God's people was an evidence to them of his acceptance of the offerings brought, so as one's selfish interests are consumed on the altar of truth it will be an evidence of the divine favor.

Whatever means of influence men possess they are talents lent of God, and these will be required of us with usury. We are simply stewards to return these talents whenever the Master calls for them. A faithful steward will make that use of his Master's goods which will advance his interests. They will watch for opportunities to do this. Before engaging in any enterprise or making any investment they will inquire, Will this honor God and further his interests in this world? That which men possess of this world's goods is called the mammon of unrighteousness. By using this in a proper manner it makes friends of angels, for it is their work to keep a faithful record of every act which will advance the glory of their Lord and Master. "Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness, that when ye fail they [the angels] may receive you into everlasting habitations." Unfaithfulness in this respect reveals the fact that the individual is unworthy of any position of trust in God's service here, and unworthy of eternal life hereafter.

"If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's, [means of influence which God has lent us] who shall give you that which is your own?"—eternal life which has been purchased for us by Jesus Christ.

How important then that men and women professing to be servants of Christ should study to know the nature of God's work, and be prepared to co-operate with every advance movement, for our salvation depends upon our walking in the light. "This is the condemnation [says our Saviour] that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. "If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin." "If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin; but now they have no cloke for their sin."

There are some, who, in every advance step of reform in the work of God, have had more or less of their substance consumed. Such men have ended their days in peace with much of God's blessing, but little of this world's goods. Some there were, who, at the commencement of the work of present truth, sold their homes to aid in printing, and getting the light before others; such will not loose their reward.

Some there are who now feel and are doing the same. They are stirred as they hear the call, "Give us the truth," coming from every part of the world. God will accept their sacrifices, and they will finally dwell in glory. May such individuals be multiplied in our midst until the design of God in the spread of his truth on the earth shall be accomplished.

S. N. HASKELL.