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Stephen N. Haskell
1833-1922
Stephen Haskell began preaching for First-day
Adventists in 1853, but the same year, after reading a tract on the Sabbath, he
became a Sabbath keeper at the age of 20. Following some years in
self-supporting work in New England, he was ordained in 1870 and became
president of the New England Conference, serving from 1870 to 1887. While in
that position, he served also as president of the California Conference from
1879-1887, and of the Maine Conference from 1884-1886.
In 1869, while young Stephen Haskell was
directing the New England mission, a group of women met in his home and
organized the Vigilant Missionary Society. He organized the first conference
Tract and Missionary Society soon afterward, which became the forerunner of the
Adventist Book Centers today. His interest in literature ministry should not be
surprising, for a tract on the Sabbath had brought Haskell into the church. In
1880 he originated what would be known as the Bible reading plan, following
Ellen White's instruction to do more teaching and less preaching. It was a
success from the beginning.
Haskell accompanied James and Ellen White on
several speaking tours. He also worked closely with them as a member of the
General Conference Committee in the mid-1870s. He led out in the establishment
of South Lancaster Academy, later known as Atlantic Union College (1882), and
wrote several important books on the sanctuary and Bible prophecy.
On January 3, 1875, at the dedication of
Battle Creek College, Ellen White received a vision in which the angel mentioned
Australia in connection with future publishing efforts. Haskell found her report
of the experience inspiring, and ten years later he led a group of workers to
Australia and New Zealand, pioneering the mission work there.
Haskell made a world tour on behalf of
missionary work in 1889-1890, visiting Europe, South Africa, India, China,
Japan, and Australia. He taught Bible at Avondale College in Australia
(1896-1899) while Ellen White was there. "I rejoiced that I had the help of
Brother and Sister Haskell," wrote Ellen White. "These God appointed
to be my companions in establishing the school in this place."--Letter 77,
1897.
Ellen White wrote more letters to Haskell than
to any other church leader. Their ministries spanned much the same time period,
beginning for him at age 20 and for her at age 17. They often shared the same
concerns. She lived to age 87, and he to 90. At the time of her death, the only
picture in Ellen White's bedroom of a non-family member was one of Stephen
Haskell.
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