p. 248 | OUR WORK by S. N. Haskell

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jun 3, 1880

OUR WORK.

By S. N. Haskell

God has committed to his people a work of immense magnitude, and of vast importance. It is to give warning to the world of the near advent of Christ, and to teach the true preparation for that great event. Never was a greater responsibility committed to a body of men than that which God has given to this people. The time for this work is short; it can only be accomplished by the direct help of the Spirit of God.

We have the clearest evidence from the prophetic portion of the Scriptures that the Son of God will shortly return to this earth. We are responsible before God for this great light, to make it known to our fellow-men. The world has the utmost need to understand that the advent of the Saviour is swiftly approaching, and that it will very soon be witnessed. When God caused this great truth to be brought to our knowledge, he made us debtors to our fellow-men, to make known to them what he had given us. He has also committed to us talents of means and usefulness, whereby this work might be accomplished. This vast indebtedness is upon us, and can only be discharged by faithful, self-sacrificing efforts. And unless we make these efforts we shall find in the day of reckoning that the blood of souls is upon us.

Those who attempt to teach others must understand the reasons and the facts on which the doctrine rests. To be a successful missionary worker in any branch of our work, a living connection with God is necessary. Our lives must be exemplary. And it is the duty of each to study to show themselves approved of God, as workmen that need not to be ashamed. We should labor to prepare our minds for this sacred work by as thorough an understanding of the subject as we can possibly gain. Not only should we become familiar with the publications which treat upon present truth, but such works as will throw light on God's work and its character, in the different ages of this world's history. We should also seek the help of the Spirit of God, without which we can do absolutely nothing. God requires our earnest efforts, and he will bless them if we put them forth in humble dependence on his help.

We are called of God to teach these great truths in connection with the doctrine of the near advent of our Saviour. We shall not find it an easy work to perform, for it will require much self-denial, and great sacrifices on our part. There should also be critical examinations of our hearts. It will not please the natural heart to learn how God views sin and selfishness, and to know that our lives must be in every respect fashioned after the pure principles of God's holy law. Men love the religion of convenience, and do not love that which insists upon self-denial, faithful obedience, and the crucifixion of ourselves to the world.

Our time to work is short. The day of God is hastening. Ruin is coming upon a world lying in sin. Upon us rests the responsibility of setting forth the truth of God in its purity, and of giving to our fellow-men the message of warning which God has committed to us. We cannot hope to find it a work in which our circumstances will be congenial to our natural hearts. We must set ourselves to this work as those who labor to save the perishing, and who think not of their own ease, or convenience, or comfort. God calls us to labor, and not to faint. Let us unitedly respond to this call.

S. N. HASKELL.