Lt 16i, 1892

Haskell, S. N.

Adelaide, Australia

November [23], 1892

Previously unpublished.

Elder Haskell, 7LtMs, Lt 16i, 1892, par. 1

Three days more and I complete my sixty-[fifth] birthday. I am much, very much better, in health. I thank the Lord for His goodness and His mercy and loving-kindness to me. I believe without one shade of doubt that it was my duty to come to Australia. I believe it was God’s plan that I should be afflicted and so great a sufferer. I believe it was the plan of God that I should write the eighteen hundred pages I have written in reproof, encouragement and warnings and counsels. I am not now made ashamed because of mournings, complainings, and repinings. The Lord shall have every jot of praise and glory and thanksgiving. 7LtMs, Lt 16i, 1892, par. 2

In all my work I have not devoted six full days to writing on the life of Christ. But I believe I have been in the way of my duty, and I have enjoyed the love of God. I am not able to say I have attained, but I can say I am pressing forward to the mark of the prize of the high calling which is in Christ Jesus my Lord. 7LtMs, Lt 16i, 1892, par. 3

You told me that you sent me a letter copied which I requested, but I was surprised to see no letter at all. About one hour since, a letter was brought me from Fannie and Marian. 7LtMs, Lt 16i, 1892, par. 4

Well, I have said nothing to any one, but I have had rather a trying time this winter. Both are having a new conversion. They have been attending the Bible readings given by Bro. Starr; and light, precious and beautiful, more precious than gold, has shown upon them and they are blessed. There has been, especially with Fannie, but little harmony with me in my work since coming to Australia. Any letters of reproof I gave her to copy, she seemed to have no sympathy with, and I can understand your feelings when you say that letters coming directly from my pen seem to have more spirit and life than after they were prepared for the paper. Some of these letters I have read seemed to me, as you said, to lose the vital energy. I hardly knew just how to express it. 7LtMs, Lt 16i, 1892, par. 5

Now, about that letter you returned to me. Elder Starr got hold of it, and he felt so deeply over it that he read it in a meeting to the Melbourne church. Fannie and Marian said it was a striking, powerful letter. Brother Faulkhead had been, and still is, in a backslidden state; but it took hold of him and he begged the privilege of taking it home to his wife who lives in Preston and could not come to the meeting. The request coming from him makes it the more marked. So I see my letters, written in so much pain and so great suffering, are not lost, but are seed that will bear fruit. Praise the Lord. 7LtMs, Lt 16i, 1892, par. 6

I write this little incident to show how the Lord works. The letter comes in my absence in Melbourne, Willie takes it from the mail and hands it to Elder Starr, and he reads it. Had I been there, I should have placed it with others of my letters; and there it would have been, unnoticed, today. But it was read in Melbourne and then to the students, and has done good. 7LtMs, Lt 16i, 1892, par. 7

I hope you will take good care of your health and that you will be all courage and faith and hope in the Lord. Let nothing depress you. Keep looking up, not down at yourself or at anything any one may say or do. Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. May the Lord strengthen you every hour in body and in spirit and in mind. Then you will carry a holy atmosphere with you. You will all the time receive help and grace, and your joy will be full. Cling to Jesus, the Mighty One, and He will lift you up and bless and encourage and comfort you. This is all I will write for this mail. 7LtMs, Lt 16i, 1892, par. 8