Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 25 (1910 - 1915)

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Lt 12, 1912

Haskell, Brother and Sister

St. Helena, California

February 26, 1912

Previously unpublished. +Note

Elder S. N. Haskell
63 Grant Ave.
Portland, Maine

Dear Brother and Sister Haskell:

Christ has commissioned us to sow the seeds of truth and to urge upon our people the importance of the work to be accomplished by those who are living amidst the closing scenes of earth’s history. There is to be a revelation of the working of the Spirit of God on human hearts, as the words of truth are presented to the people. 25LtMs, Lt 12, 1912, par. 1

O how much good might be accomplished if all who have the truth, the Word of life, would labor for the enlightenment of those who have it not. When the Samaritans came to Christ at the call of the Sanitarium woman, Christ spoke of them to His disciples as a field of grain ready for harvesting: “Say ye not, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest?” He said. “Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.” [John 4:35.] Christ abode with the Samaritans two days, for they were hungry to hear the truth. And what busy days they were. And as a result of those days of labor, “many more believed because of His own word.” This was their testimony: “We have heard Him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world.” [Verses 41-42.] Christ offered light to the people of Samaria, and the light was accepted. 25LtMs, Lt 12, 1912, par. 2

Who among God’s professing people will take up this sacred work and labor for the souls that are perishing for lack of knowledge? The world must be warned. Many places are pointed out to me as in need of consecrated, faithful, untiring effort. Christ is opening the hearts and minds of many in our large cities and in our neighborhoods. These need the sacred truths of God’s Word; and if we will come into a sacred nearness with Christ, and will seek to draw near to these people, seeking to impart truth to those who are unconverted, impressions for good will be made. We need to wake up and enter into sympathy with Christ and with our fellow men. The large and small cities, and places nigh and afar off, are to be worked, and worked diligently. Never draw back. The Lord will make the right impression upon human hearts if we will work in unison with His Spirit. 25LtMs, Lt 12, 1912, par. 3

What changes would be wrought in their work if men and women would share the sympathies of Christ. When I heard of the discouragement that had come to Nashville, and the thought was expressed that our people were getting tired of the effort to maintain the sanitarium, and discouragement was pressing in, leading the people to feel that the sanitarium should be closed up, the word came to me, To give up the work in that place would be to dishonor God. I said, It shall never be done. The fact that some minds are considering such a move is evidence that the enemy is at work to dishearten, and by this means to bring in failure. I said, Hold fast that which you have; and we will do all we possibly can to secure funds for the support of the sanitarium work. Let no discouraging words be spoken, but let only such words be spoken as will tend to strengthen and sustain the work being done. 25LtMs, Lt 12, 1912, par. 4

I have words of encouragement for you, Elder Haskell. We are to move forward in faith and hope, expecting large things from God. The enemy will try to block the way, but the Lord has committed to you and your wife this work, and in His name you may win success. Let not the voice of hindrance be heard to discourage the sale of your books. The Lord is seeking to work on human hearts. 25LtMs, Lt 12, 1912, par. 5