S. N. Haskell's Bible Class

In its early days, S. N. Haskell taught Bible at the college in Australia. One day when he stated in class his belief that every portion of Scripture contained some valuable spiritual lesson, a student raised his hand. “I can’t agree with that statement,” he said. “I am sure that some portions of the Bible are purely material significance.”

“Will you give me an example?” asked the teacher. The young man stood up and read Paul’s words to Timothy: “The cloak that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments.” Now what spiritual lessons are we supposed to get out of that?”

Without hesitation Elder Haskell replied, “One of deep significance, especially for self-supporting workers in God’s cause. The apostle Paul had brought the imperishable riches of heaven to thousands of souls, yet he was so poor in this world’s goods that he preferred to wait an indefinite length of time while Timothy made the uncertain journey from Troas to Rome rather than to have money expended in purchasing a new coat and writing materials.”

–S. N. Haskell, Man of Action, pp. 150, 151 (Quoted from Laughter and Tears of the Pioneers, Paul A. Gordon and James R. Nix, (Brushton, NY: TEACH Services, Inc), 60.