Learning Submission by Stephen Nelson Haskell

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 23, 1863

Learning Submission

By Stephen Nelson Haskell

From Bro. Haskell.

Bro. White: We truly feel rejoiced to think that the cause is eastward, and that system and order are being established among God's people. If there was ever a time when these blessings were needed in the church, it is now. If there was ever a time when help from God's chosen messengers would be appreciated with many, and should be with all, it is now. The folly of steering safely through these last-day perils on an independent train, has been clearly manifested, and some that have been on board of such a train are anxious to go through with God's people, and in the way and manner that he has pointed out. But many of us here in the East have much to learn. Submission is a word easily spoken, the meaning of which is more difficult to practically learn.

It is the first step toward patience; and, in fact, we can have no patience without first submission. When we first submit, we are then prepared to bear with patience. We are taught to be subject one to another, and to be clothed with humility, and to let nothing be done through strife or vain glory, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. By the sweet spirit of submission we are brought into a position where we can be helped.

Many times the enemy takes advantage of individuals, and leads them for a season captive at his will, and the experience that is then had, so warps the judgment that the individual cannot fill the place that he otherwise might. If then the lesson of submission to each other, and especially to those of our brethren who have sound judgment and deep Christian experience, has not before been learned, it will require much grace and many a bitter draught of affliction to learn it. Still we must learn it, if ever we rejoice with the King in his beauty.

But, says one, the Lord has forgiven me, and now I am trying to do right, and hence God is as willing to instruct me as any one. True, but how does he instruct us? Is it not by means?

A man may be in another's employ, and have committed to his trust some important business, and for some cause or other, prove himself incompetent, so that there is a great waste, a continual loss. He may manifest much sorrow for the squandering that has been, but does that make him competent? He may be discharged from his situation, and then sincerely repent, and again be taken into employment; but can he be trusted as before until he has first been proved and found competent?

The work of the third angel is a great and important work. Its onward march is now in the East. Soon the loud cry will be heard; and if we that live in the East ever prove ourselves worthy of having a part in the message as it winds up in majesty and power, we must take hold of the work now; take hold of it in earnest; take hold of it in the way that God has marked out. Submit ourselves to those who have rule over us in the fear of the Lord. Esteem them highly for their works' sake; and especially those gifts which God has placed in the church to have a prominent place. Study them more. Esteem them more highly. Let them have a practical effect upon our lives. It was years since that the angel to the church exclaimed, "Get ready! Get ready!" It is time that we were in earnest about the matter. But as we move, let us move in the order of God. Let the effort be put forth understandingly; we that labor with our hands can do much to help spread the truth. We can lay by on the first day of the week so that there be no gathering when the messengers come; and we shall be ready to help them. This is our duty. We can lend publications, lend a life before the unconverted that will recommend the truth we profess. This should be our delight to do, and may God give us a spirit to do it.

It is altogether too late to query and doubt, and pick flaws with the work of the Lord, and to find fault with one another. God in his infinite mercy is sending help East. Shall we be ready for it, or shall we not? Unless we receive help now, appreciate the help that God is now sending, I fear the message will leave us, and leave us to grope our way in darkness.

If there are feelings of animosity between brethren, let them be settled. If there are doubts about the work of God, brethren, cast them aside. God has chosen his own instruments, has worked in his own way, for some twelve or fifteen years he has been leading out his people. Think you he will leave them now and raise up inexperienced men to take their place, men whose judgments have been warped by error until they are void of sound judgment? I tell you, No. God is in the movement, and may he grant that we may have so much of the Spirit of the message, that as it bears away the eternal victory, we shall feel its elevating effects upon our lives, and finally with God's remnant people exclaim, "Lo, this is our God, we have waited for him, and we will rejoice in his salvation. S. N. HASKELL. Worcester, Mass.