THE SAFETY OF OUR CAUSE by Stephen Nelson Haskell

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Apr 7, 1881

THE SAFETY OF OUR CAUSE.

By Stephen Nelson Haskell

BY ELD. S. N. HASKELL.

THERE is no question more frequently asked, and certainly one of no more importance, especially to those who have investments to make, than concerning the safety of the enterprise or institution in which these investments are to be made. It must be admitted by all believers in the Christian religion that the cause of God is the only permanently safe institution in the world.

Christianity and civilization go hand in hand. A nation cannot be civilized in the truest sense without becoming Christianized. Morality has its foundation in the Bible religion, and the stream becomes purer as it partakes of the likeness of its author; and that cause or institution cannot fail which is built on the principles emanating from Jesus Christ. He is "The chief corner-stone," "The author and finisher of our faith." In speaking of some who apostatized from the apostolic church St. Paul says: "Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his."

Since the fall of man, the cause of God has ever had its enemies who have opposed it and predicted its overthrow. Its worst enemies, however, have been its professed friends who have imbibed immoral principles, and while professing great love for the cause have brought great reproach upon it by their evil practices. Then there are those who, like birds which live on carrion, feast upon these sins. The mistakes of Abraham, the sin of David, and the errors of Solomon are impartially recorded by the sacred penman. A stain has been left upon the characters of these men which has been a reproach to the truth; but the cause of God in its native purity existed still. A traitorous Judas, the writings of Celsus, the first infidel writer on the Christian religion, and the entire brood which have followed down to Voltaire, Tom Paine, and Bob Ingersoll, can ruin themselves but not the Christian religion.

Those institutions and enterprises, founded and conducted upon the principles exemplified in the life of our divine Lord, and devoted to the promulgation of such truths, will stand as long as God has a work to do on the earth. Their security is based upon moral principles, and as long as there are men who possess these principles, they will be guardians and protectors.

Thus it is with present truth, and those institutions erected and devoted to the promulgation of the Sabbath reform and truths specially adapted to the last days. Their founders may die, their friends may turn into enemies; but the cause itself, the institutions devoted to the interests of the cause, will surely succeed as God is the author of the truths which are taught. Money invested in this work in a spirit of sacrifice is as safe as can be. Banks may and will fail, railroad bonds fluctuate in the market, oppression from monopolies and wicked men may rob us of our homes; but there is one safe place for ourselves and our means: it is in the truth of God. By investing here we co-operate with the angels of God, and by depriving ourselves of selfish interests and practicing self-denial for the upbuilding of the work of God, we practically sympathize with Jesus Christ, who left the royal courts of Heaven and gave his life for the salvation of others. A spirit of sacrifice for the welfare of others is therefore to be coveted rather than dreaded.

It is in this light that we view the institutions in our midst, and we are not alone in this; we are acquainted with instances where worldly men have loaned thousands of dollars to our brethren with whom they were acquainted, to be placed in our institutions, and this was taken from banks.

And one thing to the praise of God can be said of the institutions devoted to the work of present truth; not one penny thus invested has ever been lost to him who invested it; while thousands and tens of thousands have been lost in banks, patent rights, real estate speculations, etc., etc.

The gospel of Jesus Christ will soon triumph, and those who have linked their lives with it, and have known no interest but its advancement upon the earth, will triumph with it.