General Conference Bulletin, vol. 4

EXTRACTS FROM A SERMON

By Mrs. S. N. Haskell, April 14, 5 P.M.

“The plan of holding Bible readings was a heaven-born idea. There are many, both men and women, who can engage in this branch of missionary labor.”- Gospel Workers, 333. God designs that both men and women shall engage in this important work; that they shall enter the homes of the people, sit down with the inmates and open up the beauties of God’s word, and teach the people to read and understand the word of God. As we look over our great cities, and see the teeming millions who know nothing of the truth, we know that the truth can not be carried into these cities as it should by the canvassing work alone, but well-trained Bible workers must enter. GCB April 24, 1901, page 456.1

During the last few years the Bible work has declined among us. There are not so many engaged in that work at present as there were a few years ago. But God has said that “when an effort is made to introduce the truth in an important place, our ministers should give special attention to the instruction and training of those who are to co-operate with them. Colporteurs and canvassers are needed, and those who are fitted to give Bible readings in families, so that while the ministers are laboring in the word and doctrine, these can also be calling minds to the truth-Gospel Workers, 284. In this reference we have four classes of workers mentioned as necessary in presenting the truth in our cities; namely, ministers, colporteurs, canvassers, and Bible workers. Then if we enter our cities with ministers and canvassers only, is not the force crippled? For God has said that four lines of work should be carried on. GCB April 24, 1901, page 456.2

In other places we are instructed that medical missionaries should also connect with those presenting the truth in every place. If God has said that Bible readers are necessary in opening up the work in the cities, and we know that the Conferences can not produce Bible workers without material from which to work, then is there not a duty resting upon our lay members to seek God, and find out if he is not calling them to these lines of work? We are told that both men and women can engage in this line of work. There are many sisters to-day scattered through our ranks doing comparatively nothing, who could be successful laborers in the Bible work. GCB April 24, 1901, page 456.3

There are many of matured years who have had a deep experience in the things of God, and are well acquainted with the foundation principles of the message, who could go out and introduce the truth of God in the homes of the people. GCB April 24, 1901, page 456.4

One thing that has injured our Bible work, is that young girls have entered the work without a sufficient experience in the things of God. They have entered it more for the sake of employment than from a real burden to save souls. We read in the fourth chapter of Philippians of Bible workers: “I entreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellow laborers, whose names are in the book of life:” You will notice that Paul classes the women workers as fellow laborers with himself. They had labored with him in the gospel. They had been instruments in God’s hands of saving souls. In the sixteenth chapter of Acts and the thirteenth verse, these women of Philippi are first introduced to us: “On the Sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted thither.” By referring to the twelfth verse, we find that these women of Philippi were praying women, who were accustomed to meet together, and plead with God for his blessing. This is the material from which efficient material for Bible workers are made at the present day. God will never take a person who has no burden of soul, who does not know what it is to plead and agonize before him for the salvation of souls, and place him in his work, to give this blessing. But women who, like those of Philippi, know what it is to plead with God, are the ones who will make efficient Bible workers. These may be classed with ministers as fellow laborers in the gospel. GCB April 24, 1901, page 456.5

Many who have entered the Bible work have become discouraged, and have fallen out by the way. One reason is because they have failed to study. They have had a certain method of presenting each line of truth, but never have studied sufficiently to vary it. They become set in a deep groove, and soon become as dry as the hills of Gilboa, even while ministering to others. They are like a dark lantern, which only emits light in one direction; but God would have his workers a light GCB April 24, 1901, page 456.6

shining in all directions. He would have us so proficient in his word, that we may be able to meet all classes of minds. He tells us: “Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh for a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.” That means the learned as well as the ignorant. We are to study to show ourselves approved unto God, “a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” So, as we come in touch with educated people, we shall be able to present the truth in a way that will reach them, and we will be able to present it in its simplicity to the ignorant and unlearned. Many who can be reached by the simplicity of the theory of the truth can be reached by presenting it through the study of nature, and the objects around is, gathering lessons which God has attached to the objects with which they come in contact every day; thus, opening up to them the beauties of the word of God, so that Christ will speak to them when their eyes rest upon the objects with which he has connected the sacred truth.

We can not give to others what we do not possess ourselves. If we let the days go by without studying the word of God for ourselves, without receiving life and strength daily from God, through his work, we can not lead others to the fountain of life. GCB April 24, 1901, page 456.7

In the beginning of the gospel work, the message went to every creature in the earth in the short period of thirty years. We are told in the books of Acts that they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ in every house. The loud cry of the third angel’s message will come, when our people arouse to their duty, and, individually, we go out to teach the Bible to our neighbors and friends. GCB April 24, 1901, page 456.8

“Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection.” GCB April 24, 1901, page 456.9

“Blessed is the man that endureth temptation.” GCB April 24, 1901, page 456.10

“Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven.” GCB April 24, 1901, page 456.11

“Blessed is he that considereth the poor.” GCB April 24, 1901, page 456.12

“Blessed are the undefiled in the way.” GCB April 24, 1901, page 456.13