The Cause on the Pacific Coast by Stephen Nelson Haskell

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, California · Aug 28, 1879

The Cause on the Pacific Coast.

By Stephen Nelson Haskell

It is well understood that since Eld. Loughborough left this coast, the Conference in California has been without an acting President. He was a father to the cause here, being acquainted with all; and understanding the wants of the cause in every particular, and ever ready to bear responsibility, it seemed as if he was an indispensable help. As a natural consequence a lack has been felt since he left.

The active ministers are young, inexperienced, and therefore do not feel like going ahead and taking responsibility. The cause itself is young, and has not had the benefit of the experience of many who were in this work in its early history, as our eastern Conferences have had. Hence, they have known but little of the dangers, trials, and personal deprivations and difficulties which give a deep experience in the third angel's message.

I have now been upon this coast about three months; have held general meetings in the largest churches, and have become acquainted with nearly all of the leading brethren. I have never found brethren more willing to take advance steps when they understand how to move forward. I think no truer hearts to the cause of God can be found than in this Conference. As a Conference, considering the amount of instruction they have had, the Vigilant Societies are doing as well, in the number of copies of the Signs taken, and are receiving as many interesting letters, as those east of the Rocky Mountains. Yet there are some things of importance which are neglected, which I would here mention, that would be of great benefit to our brethren on this coast, and are essential to their advancement in the progressive steps of present truth.

1. Subscribing for the Review and Good Health. The Review is our church paper. It contains the appeals to our missionary societies, explanations of the missionary work, which are not found in any other periodical. Also there is much in the progress department which is of interest. All this keeps before the readers those facts which are of especial interest to those who believe in present truth. Many of these things would not be of interest in a pioneer paper, which the Signs of the Times is especially intended to be.

The matter in the Review which is not published in the Signs, is the very matter which every believer in the Sabbath Reform needs to read. The Quarterly Supplement, containing the reports of the missionary societies from every Conference of Seventh-day Adventists in America, showing the work performed in every district, and also from England, Switzerland, Italy, and Egypt, is worth the year's subscription for the Review. I have traveled throughout the country for ten years, and held general meetings among our brethren, and I can accomplish more in two days where they are readers of the Review than in four days where they are not. In one case they are posted in reference to the character and nature of the work; they know what we want to accomplish, and are ready to co-operate. When appeals are made from the Review Office, or from the Secretary of the General Tract Society, there are ten responses from those who read the Review to one from those who are told what these appeals are, but do not take the paper. We speak understandingly when we say it is for the interest of the cause on this coast for each family of believers to become a subscriber for the Review. You cannot afford to do without it. It will give life and interest in your missionary work. When new churches are raised up they immediately should be instructed in the missionary work and take a club of the Signs for that purpose. But if you would have the company realize the specialty of this work and permanently converted to its interests, induce each family to subscribe for the Review.

The Good Health should also be taken. It has the largest circulation of any journal of its kind in the country. We cannot speak of it in too high terms. The Good Health and Review will cost but $3.00 per year. Those in straightened circumstances can order it through the tract society and pay for them monthly; 25 cents each month will pay for them, and in this way all can take them.

2. The Testimonies and Spirit of Prophecy should be read until all become familiar with their contents. Each company of our brethren should have a library of Mrs. White's writings. Many of our churches already have them. Those who are most familiar with them are always the most devoted to the service of God and his cause. These are helps, and none but those who have read them know how to appreciate them.

3. Have order in all your meetings, and promptness in your attendance. Do not fail in this respect. Let not your missionary meetings be turned into a social talk. This we have seen done greatly to the detriment of the meeting. At the camp-meeting we hope to establish the labor of the ministers on a more systematic basis.

God will work for his people as they walk forward in the light. Sacrificing efforts put forth in the right direction will certainly insure success in the cause of Christ. We should ever realize that this is God's work, and, although there may be serious difficulties to encounter, and it may require great efforts to surmount them, yet, in the name of the Lord, we are well able to move forward and see a glorious triumph in behalf of the cause of present truth.

We say to our friends on this coast, have courage in God. This cause has been purchased by the precious blood of the Son of God, and if we, with humility and consecration, move forward in this work, success will attend our labors. S. N. HASKELL.