Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 3 (1876 - 1882)

1879

Letters

Lt 1, 1879

Haskell, S. N.

Denison, Texas

January 27, 1879

Portions of this letter are published in Ev 323-324; 3MR 19-20; 6MR 33-34, 114; 16MR 68.

Dear Brother Haskell:

Your letters are received. I do not think it can be your duty to go to Europe now. The state of the cause is such that all the help we can get is needed now. 3LtMs, Lt 1, 1879, par. 1

I am now writing upon the great mistakes made in extending our labors where we cannot look after it and having a feverish unrest to create new interests and [leave] the people already raised up to die for want of help. This is the case all over the different states. I tell you there must be more visiting the churches and caring for those already raised up, strengthening the things that are ready to die. While churches everywhere are in such suffering need, one cannot be spared. 3LtMs, Lt 1, 1879, par. 2

I fear there is a mistake in holding the _____ meetings you are now doing. This should be connected with our camp meetings. We see and feel the wants of the cause everywhere. 3LtMs, Lt 1, 1879, par. 3

We think you should go to California and to Oregon and be at the latter place at their camp meeting season. We see enough work for twenty such men as you to do, and then the field would suffer for want of more laborers. Churches are raised up and left to go down while new fields are being entered. Now these churches are raised up in much cost in labor and in means and then neglected and allowed to ravel out. This is the way matters are going now. 3LtMs, Lt 1, 1879, par. 4

Our American missionaries, I have been shown, have stepped or passed by Old England to labor at much greater disadvantage among those whose language they were not well acquainted with. The work has not been carried forward as evenly as it should have been. While duties are suffering to be done right in our path, we should not reach out and long and sigh for work at a great distance. 3LtMs, Lt 1, 1879, par. 5

I know that discouragement is now upon you, but Jesus lives and He stands at the helm. You must _____ trust in God; and after you have had a change for a time, say in Colorado, then push on to California and give aid where it is so much needed. 3LtMs, Lt 1, 1879, par. 6

I cannot advise that you leave for Europe now. I am of your mind that the dead languages are of far less consequence than French or German, and good plain English better than them all. You are unable to make much impression in foreign countries because you cannot talk in French or German. You are in danger of concentrating all there is of you upon one thing. This will not do. You must consider the work in its several branches and qualify yourself for seizing hold where you best can. 3LtMs, Lt 1, 1879, par. 7

Elder Andrews’ time should be devoted some to Old England, and not confined to the French. I have had considerable light. The strength, ability, and means are needed more at present crisis in our own country than in any other place. The heart of the work must be kept strong and in a vigorous helpful action. Then all branches of the work will have vitality. There must not be too much branching out, which calls for means, until the great center of the work is free from financial embarrassment. Elder Andrews is in danger of concentrating his mind, his means, and energies upon one branch of the work, and not being sufficiently awake to other important interests. 3LtMs, Lt 1, 1879, par. 8

God would not want you to leave so much work that you have planned, and started the people in upon, to be neglected, to run down, and be harder to bring up than if it had never been started. I know that your influence must be exercised more or less in New England until you have some two or three disciplined to take it and push it forward. Brother Farnsworth and yourself should go to California very soon. Your testimony and influence are needed there. Take time to rest. We shall go to California about the middle of March. We would be glad to see you there. Rest, rest, wholly rest for a few weeks, and you will be all right. 3LtMs, Lt 1, 1879, par. 9

Elder Andrews at the present time is not fit mentally or physically to renew his work in Europe. He must recuperate before he is at all fit to leave America. When he goes he should take a good wife with him to help him. He makes his labor tenfold harder than he needs to because his mind is constructed as it is. He is overconscientious, and he feels terribly over things that ought not to disturb his peace at all. He makes the service in the cause of God fearfully hard when it should be pleasant and joyful. 3LtMs, Lt 1, 1879, par. 10

I am seeking to get out matter that will be a help to our people. I hope you will look at things candidly and not move impulsively or from feeling. Our ministers must be educated and trained to do their work more thoroughly. They should bind off the work, and not leave it to ravel out. And they should look especially after the interests they have created, and not go away and never have any special interests after leaving a church. A great deal of this has been done. 3LtMs, Lt 1, 1879, par. 11

Money is scarce and now is a crisis. Every one now should do his utmost to bring the people up to act their part and relieve the necessities of the cause. 3LtMs, Lt 1, 1879, par. 12

With respect. 3LtMs, Lt 1, 1879, par. 13