Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 3 (1876 - 1882)

Lt 55, 1880

Haskell, [S. N.]

Battle Creek, Michigan

October 29, 1880

Previously unpublished.

Dear Brother Haskell:

We received your letters written from New York and Lancaster. I am sorry to learn in reference to Brother Haines. Also feel sad over Elder [D. M.] Canright. His mistake is just as I have written, because of his self-confidence and not digging deep and laying his foundation upon the Rock. I knew he would come to his present state sooner or later, because he has not true religion. 3LtMs, Lt 55, 1880, par. 1

I am sorry for Haines. He had the same trouble, destitute of practical godliness. The result will be the same in every case that these represent. God’s great sieve is shaking and many will surely be shaken out. There is chaff, and what is the chaff to the wheat? 3LtMs, Lt 55, 1880, par. 2

I have been waiting to find time to write you and as I search over my letters, I see many things written two or three years since, in reference to our offices of publication and the prices placed upon our book. When I can get these letters before me again, I will copy some things. 3LtMs, Lt 55, 1880, par. 3

1881

Battle Creek

I have been searching out testimonies and find many things written immediately after the last vision was given that have not been copied. I was shown the mistake you and Willie [White] have made in setting the prices of books so low and seeking to increase the circulation of books by these low figures. It is a mistake. The publishing house suffers in consequence. 3LtMs, Lt 55, 1880, par. 4

I also was shown that you were in danger of lowering the ministry; while God shall give reproof, correction, and instruction which is all these men can bear; in addition, to have their labors set so far below the labors of men working with their hands is degrading the ministry. While you give so great attention to tract and missionary work to the exclusion of other interests, you hurt yourself. You hurt the other branches of the work. This I find plainly written, but it had passed my mind. I was shown that there must be a judicious change in many things. The branching out and extending labors, while the ones already brought into the truth are left to die, is a terrible mistake. 3LtMs, Lt 55, 1880, par. 5

I was sorry to learn that after the ministers are paid the small wages that they are allowed, then it is urged upon them to sell books without any profits coming to them. This I know to be a mistake, and I hope Elder [B. L.] Whitney and you will swing around on this point as fast as possible. I foresee the consequences. You are overdoing the matter. If the tract and missionary work must be kept alive in this way, then let it die. I speak decidedly. I know what I am saying. 3LtMs, Lt 55, 1880, par. 6

No one has any knowledge of what I am writing. But I tell you, Elder Haskell, I am afraid we are losing our ministers, and our young men have no encouragement to become ministers. I have yet to learn that brain is of less value than muscle. Our preachers must have encouragement. It is no use to belittle their labor and degrade the work of the ambassador of Christ. 3LtMs, Lt 55, 1880, par. 7

Will you take these things into careful consideration? I shall not give my consent or my influence to the resolution passed, to have our ministers work from the principle that was presented at our conference. It is bad, too bad. God is not pleased with it. Many of our ministers suffer pinching want. They have no heart to work. And young men have no encouragement to enter the field. When the minister feels that he is appreciated, then he can labor. 3LtMs, Lt 55, 1880, par. 8

I read in the testimony given me that there was a close figuring with both Willie and you in regard to Dr. Kellogg’s works. Due importance and due consideration were not placed upon his works, and as the result he commenced the same close figuring, nearly to his ruin. [Incomplete.] 3LtMs, Lt 55, 1880, par. 9