p. 90 | THE MISSIONARY by J. H. Waggoner

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, California · Feb 26, 1880

THE MISSIONARY.

By J. H. Waggoner

SYSTEM IN LABOR.

Our tract and missionary societies were created to meet a pressing want. The ministers were few; they could labor only in a limited compass. By their means alone it would take an age to warn the world of the judgments now impending.

Unorganized effort has always proved inefficient, and limited in its results. System and order are necessary to accomplish any great purpose.

The officers of these societies are chosen with reference to a specific object. The Directors should be all that the title indicates. They should oversee and direct. He who in anything directs a body of workers will find himself called to deal with persons with abilities greatly varying, and of different degrees of efficiency. And these differences will appear more prominent if the laborers are newly organized and untrained. To properly direct, he will find it necessary to study the capabilities of his workers, and so be able to assign each to the position and work to which he seems to be best adapted, or for which he is best qualified. Without some such discrimination, there must be lack of efficiency in labor, and, consequently, of prosperity in the work.

For a moment suppose a “master builder” is to set a force of men at work on a fine building. He orders each to go to work where, and at what, he shall see fit, without inquiring as to their several qualifications; and does not take the pains to examine what each is doing, or how he is doing it. He suggests or advises no improvements in methods, and gives no instructions in the plans, except, perhaps, as to the merest outlines. Day after day, week after week, the work goes on without inspection,—with no further oversight than to see that all are busy and all are doing something. The result could be easily anticipated. Much of the work would be useless—an utter loss. If the building could ever be put together it would be at best a crude, rough concern.

If he were a “wise master builder” he would ascertain, as far as possible, the tact and talent and experience of each one, and appoint each to his work accordingly. He who was capable only of rough hewing would not be set to finishing. He who could not handle tools might be set to carrying timber. And if any were so careless and indifferent as to break and mar the lumber he handled, thereby rendering it unfit for use, he would be advised to do service at some other employment.

It is true that, in both temporal and spiritual matters, every one can do something. It is equally true that every one cannot do everything. “There are diversities of gifts.” In every company we shall find persons “having gifts differing.” The most and best work will be done when all find their places and kinds of labor “according to their several ability.”

This certainly applies to some extent to the missionary work. Some are good, judicious correspondents; while others ought never to send a letter without submitting it to the inspection of the officers of the society. One may do an excellent work sending out publications by mail, who is quite inefficient as a visitor. I knew one who was peculiarly successful in selling our doctrinal books and pamphlets; but said he could not sell the Annuals. And I knew another whose special success lay in disposing of Annuals.

One wearies those to whom he presents a tract with long talking. By the time they get rid of his tedious talk, they have lost all interest in the tract received. Another, in his over-zeal, gives quite a lecture on subjects quite foreign to that of the tract presented. Thus he forestalls the reading, and leaves the persons whom he visits with their minds bewildered, and not enlightened.

One has a hobby to talk on some subject which he cannot present intelligently—which he ought to leave entirely to the publications,—and thus minds are prejudiced so that they do not care to read what he leaves.

Others—and they are many—feel no burden of the work,—preface it with no earnest prayer; go about it lightly, as if it were a common matter; the Spirit of God is not in their work, and of course it is unfruitful of good.

Now let no one think because he cannot do first class work at the beginning that therefore he has nothing to do. Very few can execute a good piece of mechanism at the first trial. Practice, with a willingness to be instructed, will make successful workers of all who have hearts to work. If either of these is lacking they will be only indifferent laborers.

Young ministers are always glad to receive counsel and advice from those of age or experience. So the tract distributor should endeavor to profit by the experience of others. And Directors should know, by all means, what kind of work is being done in their several districts. Strengthen the weak; encourage the despondent; restrain the over zealous; and counsel the erring. See that the inspired injunction is fulfilled: “Let all things be done decently and in order.”

J. H. WAGGONER. “Rural Health Retreat,” St. Helena, Feb. 28.