A CHANGE by S. N. Haskell

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Tuesday, March 17, 1885

FromThe Review and Herald, Vol. 62, No. 11

A CHANGE.

By S. N. Haskell

Twelve years ago, when the tract societies were organized, the letters received in response to the tracts written by the missionary workers were few. Letters of an encouraging nature were sometimes carried week after week, until they were completely worn out to be read to those who were interested in such correspondence. This was because interesting missionary correspondence was so small. It is not so at the present time.

Wherever we go there are multitudes of letters which are more encouraging than many of the letters which were so highly prized at that time.

Those letters which now interest us most are from individuals who have embraced the Sabbath, and gone to work to disseminate the light of truth, many of whom have never seen one of like faith. In some such places, and there are many of them, where an interest has been awakened to read, quite a large number have accepted the truth. Some who have embraced the Sabbath, and have labored conscientiously on the first day of the week, though on their own premises, have been imprisoned. It will be a happy thing when scores of such ones come up around the great white throne, and join the one hundred and forty-four thousand of the redeemed. Especially will this be the case with those who have by correspondence encouraged each other in the truth.

The following is from a man who has never seen a Seventh-day Adventist, or any one who cares for these things, expressing the feelings of those who had read publications in his immediate neighborhood:—

Dear friend: You have cause to be thankful to the Heavenly Father for the spread of the truth in this place. There are several ready to embrace it and obey God in all his requirements. The Rev. — and wife have avowed their faith in the truth, and Mr. — told me a few days ago that he would keep the seventh day the remainder of his days. He is one of the pillars of the Methodist Church South. The papers you sent him he prizes highly. He told me he was going to subscribe for it. I am sure of getting you several subscribers as soon as the proper time comes. Bro. — says that all we need here is for the people to read the papers. If they would once read, one-half of the people would accept the truth as it is in God’s word. I am having daily talks in the store to meet their arguments, and I trust through the help of Him who aids his truth by his Spirit some good is being done. All the papers and pamphlets you send me are read from house to house. There are several ready to embrace the truth. Could you not induce one of your missionaries to come into our midst? We would help to bear his expenses and take care of him while here.”

We inquire, What shall be done in such cases? Are there not those who have the burden of the work upon them,—individuals of good repute, those whom God loves and will accept,—who for the love of souls will start out, even without purse or scrip, if necessary? There are cities in the South where the people show a greater readiness to embrace the truth than they do in the North. How shall these cities be entered, is an important question. Individuals are embracing the truth and calling for help. What shall be done? Are there men among us who will pay the rent of rooms in such cities, if the proper persons will occupy them and support themselves by selling our publications? When friends are raised up, they can with a little help carry on the work. Some are beginning to feel inclined to aid the cause in this way. A short time ago, one of our brethren held a few Bible-readings in one of the most hopeless fields that we know of. As the result, a brother who was keeping the Sabbath, but who had never fully united with us, became revived, and proposed to become responsible for five hundred dollars, providing a mission could be opened in an adjoining city. He also began to hold Bible-readings himself. God has chosen servants who will step in and help to carry forward this work, and we invite them now to come to the front. The battle is waxing hotter and hotter, and what we do must be done quickly. May God speed on his truth until it shall echo from city to city, and the whole earth be lighted with its rays.

S. N. Haskell.