Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 25 (1910 - 1915)

Lt 58, 1911

Haskell, Brother and Sister

St. Helena, California

August 2, 1911

Previously unpublished.

Dear Brother and Sister Haskell:

I am more pleased than I can express that you are preparing to begin work in the state of Maine. Your first work, I suppose, will be in the city of Portland. I have a deep interest in the work in this place. I encourage you to go ahead, and as far as I am able I will use my influence to see that you are furnished with means. The lack of means is one of the great hindrances to the advancement of the work. Be of good courage; I am sure we can co-operate with you in this enterprise. We have not labored altogether in vain for so long. Let us take this matter to the Lord in prayer. He will help us. 25LtMs, Lt 58, 1911, par. 1

I attended the Oakland camp-meeting and was able to speak several times. This was a large and successful meeting. Since the general meeting closed, the workers in Oakland have been following up the interest created by the camp-meeting. 25LtMs, Lt 58, 1911, par. 2

On my return from Oakland, I took a heavy cold, and for several days was quite sick; but today I am better, and I feel encouraged. I place myself in the Lord’s hands, and He will help and strengthen me. The Lord is our God; we can trust in Him. 25LtMs, Lt 58, 1911, par. 3

I have cautions to give you, Elder Haskell. Do not overwork. Be of good courage. The Lord is acquainted with your circumstances, and He will hear and answer your prayers. Let us seek the Lord in faith, holding fast to His promises. “God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” [John 3:16.] “He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with Him also freely give us all things?” [Romans 8:32.] 25LtMs, Lt 58, 1911, par. 4

I send this message to our people at this time, Arise, shine! for the time has come when we should no longer delay in giving this last message to the world. I call upon all who possibly can to connect with the work, and to do it now. Make determined efforts in behalf of the work in Portland and in all the unworked cities of our land. I would encourage all to stand by the side of Elder Haskell, to help him and stay up his hands. 25LtMs, Lt 58, 1911, par. 5

Let us appreciate the great sacrifice that God has made in our behalf. There will never be a time when we shall be more welcome to the gifts of His grace than now. Christ gave His life for us, that we might know how He loves us. He does not want any to perish, but that all shall have that life that measures with the life of God. This all may have who surrender to Him. 25LtMs, Lt 58, 1911, par. 6

This is the message you are to bear to perishing souls in their sins. If they will come to Christ in repentance, He will receive them. And He will recreate them in His image. God gave His Son, that men and women might be partakers of the divine nature. The sword of justice fell upon Him, that they might go free. He died that they might live. God’s first and great commandment is, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God will all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.” The second is like it: “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” [Matthew 22:37, 39, 40.] 25LtMs, Lt 58, 1911, par. 7