Called of God

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 1, 1907

STEPHEN SCHULTZ was called of God to work as a missionary among the Jews. He himself was not a Jew. His mother, like Hannah of old, dedicated her boy to this work. A beautiful illustration of how a man can be subject to his brethren, and at the same time follow God in pursuing labor which the Master has fitted him for and called him to do, is given in his address to a missionary board that wanted him to take up work which Schultz did not feel called by the Lord to do. Literally translated, this letter reads:—

“I owe obedience to you as fathers. If, therefore, you command that I decline the call to missionary work among the Jews, I can decline it with a clear conscience. However, I must say this: Should God ask on that day (the judgment)—

“1. Have I not given thee from infancy a desire to show to the Jews the way of salvation? I would have to answer, Yea, Lord.

“2. Have I not proved three years ago, during the trial trip, that I have given thee ability to labor? I would say, Yea, Lord.

“3. Have I not shown that the harvest among the Jews is great, but the laborers are few? I would say again, Yea, Lord.

“4. Have I not taught thee on that trial trip that the way was opened among the Jews for thee, and that in further travels and with greater experience thou couldest have still better access to them? again I would answer, Yea, Lord.

“5. And when at last the Lord should ask me, Why didst thou not follow the call when it came? I would leave the answer to the honorable theological faculty.”

The unanimous answer to this letter was, “Go, preach unto the Jews. The Lord bless and keep thee.”