Your ShelfYour Projects

Review and Herald, Vol. 82, No. 23.

Good Helps for Workers
Earlier text: The Latin Union Conference

Memorial and Appeal

By E. R. PALMER; M. C. WILCOX; A. T. ROBINSON; J. O. CORLISS

The Delegates of the World's General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists Assembled in its Thirty-sixth Session at Takoma Park, Washington, D. C., to Those of Like Precious Faith in All Lands; Greeting:—
We have now reached the closing days of this conference, and it is our desire, before we scatter to our several fields, to unite as a body in a communication to all our brethren and sisters throughout the world concerning matters that involve the prosperity of this cause and the advancement of the message, in that strong way which should characterize the closing work of this glorious, everlasting gospel.
This General Conference session has been a precious season; and had it been possible for all our people to have enjoyed this privilege, we are confident that every heart would have been overwhelmingly convinced upon matters which we will set before you in this appeal. But, believing that the Spirit of God, which works alike upon the hearts of his people in all lands, has visited you, and feeling assured that the reports of these meetings, which have reached you through the papers, have kindled your hearts anew with the same resolve which we feel in ours, we take pleasure in addressing you; and we do this with confidence, believing that God will lead you all in the way which he is opening up clearer and clearer before his people.
The strongest features of this conference have been, first, a spirit of union and drawing together; second, a deep, settled conviction that the time has come to preach the third angel's message as it was first delivered to this people, and to rally as a united body around the pillars of our faith; and, third, a universal conviction that the time has come for a more substantial foundation for the support of missions.
It is concerning this third feature that we particularly address you. This conference has been, as it were, a great telescope, drawing nearer to our vision the needs of foreign fields. We stand amazed before the opening providences of God which are preparing the way for the third angel's message in countries where barriers in the past have seemed almost insurmountable.
Professor Field, from Japan, has told in glowing words how the Spirit of God has kindled a fire in Korea, and how in a few months eighty native Koreans have accepted the message, and fifty or sixty more are deeply interested. He has told also of the providential openings in Japan, and the integrity and faithfulness of young men who have accepted the truth.
Elder Anderson brings good news from China, telling of the openings for our work in different places, and in languages which pave the way for reaching a large per cent of the people in that dark land of Sinim, from which, the prophet has said, some shall come in the gathering day.
Professor Shaw related remarkable instances of how the message is gaining fresh recruits among the one hundred dialects of India.
Elder Hyatt spoke with confidence of the wonderful openings in the Dark Continent, and how the truth is now “spreading like wild-fire among the native Kaffirs.”
Elder Conradi tells again, as he has done at so many past conferences, of the almost unnumbered millions of Europe and the Orient, who must be reached by the gospel message. Reports of equal interest are brought from the great “neglected continent” of South America, from the East Indies, and from the islands of the great Pacific. And while God has been opening doors in heathen lands, he has been moving upon devoted men and women in the United States to offer themselves for foreign mission work.
But thus far no adequate means have been provided by us for carrying the gospel in foreign fields. In the United States the regular tithe is sufficient to place the support of the ministry upon a solid, reliable basis; but when we send our workers to foreign lands, which contain nineteen twentieths of the population of the globe,—when we send them to the frontier, far from home, amid dangers and privations, we ask them to depend on the ever-shifting base of donations for their support. This is not right, and we wish to bring about a change. While donations have accomplished a blessed work in foreign lands, yet these great countries should not be left to depend upon donations alone, which amount to only about one fourth as much as the tithe consumed in the United States.
And yet there does not appear to be an overprovision of funds for the work here in this country. This being true, what must be the shortage and the privations in foreign lands, where the receipts are so very small?
We believe that in the system of tithes and offerings, God has instituted an abundant provision for carrying the gospel to all nations. In the spirit of prophecy we read as follows:—
“God's plan in the tithing system is beautiful in its simplicity and equality. All may take hold of it in faith and courage, for it is divine in its origin. . . . If one and all would accept it, each would be made a vigilant and faithful treasurer for God; and there would be no want of means with which to carry forward the last message of warning to the world. The treasury will be full if all will adopt this system, and the contributors will not be left the poorer.”
During this conference many plans have been suggested, and several resolutions have been discussed looking toward a better financial basis for the support of missions; but in the discussion of all these plans and resolutions, we have come back again and again to the proposition that if all God's people would pay a tithe of their entire income, there would be an abundance of means in the treasury for carrying the gospel to the world. It is not designed, however, that there
shall be any lessening of our offerings; God calls for these as well as tithes. Arrangements for these offerings have already been set before you in resolutions which have passed the conference. Our object in addressing this communication to our people everywhere is to invite every child of God to unite with the delegates who have been sent to this conference, in a determined resolution that, in the future, God shall receive from our hands his own.
We are confident that God has been preparing his people for such a forward move as this. During the past few years our hearts have been turned with strong yearning toward foreign lands. Our weekly donations have increased; the annual offerings have very largely increased; and in State conferences there has been a growing desire to divide the State income from the tithes, with foreign lands; and many laborers have been sent from State conferences to needy parts of the world, and have been supported there by the home conferences. And again, just before this conference convened, a blessed wave of liberality swept over the United States in the form of a “surprise party” to the General Conference, and many thousands of dollars have already come to the treasury from this source, and large gifts are coming in every day. All these splendid moves in the right direction are an indication to us that God's Spirit is working with his people, and, while preparing the fields for the harvest, he is preparing reapers to gather in the harvest, and means for their support.
An examination of the statistics from all parts of the United States indicates that, on a conservative estimate, our people are paying less than fifty per cent of a full tithe. These facts will be fully placed before you in other ways; but we wish, dear brethren, to invite you, in harmony with God's arrangement, to look carefully into the question of your regular income, and conscientiously and in the fear of God, place in his treasury a tenth of all that he gives you. Do not spend time in questioning the exact ways in which this money will be spent. If you are faithful in returning to God his own, he will take care of the funds, and will bring glory to his own name.
Further: God speaks through the blessed Book to the remnant church. After bringing against his own people the great charge of robbery, our covenant-keeping God thus exhorts and assures his people:—
“Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.”
In what a mighty twofold way this scripture should appeal to us! One of the strongest elements of success in the building of eternally righteous character is loyalty,—a sense of duty. How this was demonstrated in the character of our Lord! “It behooved him” to do the work God gave him to do; and therefore he did it because duty, or loyalty, demanded it. If the eternal Son of God was moved to duty on our behalf, how much more should we be moved in whose behalf he suffered; for “they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.”
But more than this: God appeals to us by his blessings, by his own note of hand,—“I,” the great Jehovah, will “pour you out a blessing.” All the universe is his; the heavenly storehouse is full of blessings waiting to be poured out upon a people who are prepared to receive them. There is the word of him in whose hands are all the resources of eternity. He can not go back upon his word; he will not “disgrace the throne of his glory.” Duty demands that we shall render to God his own. Our need of his blessing demands that we shall place ourselves in the channel of his blessing. “Blessed are they that do.”
But some may ask, How will the faithful paying of our tithes into the treasury increase the funds for the support of foreign missions? This brings us to one of the grandest features of our conference. For several years there has been a growing desire in State conferences to divide the regular tithe with foreign missions, and this spirit of liberality has gained wonderful momentum during the conference session, and several thousand dollars have been voluntarily turned over by State and union conferences during this meeting for foreign mission work; and a resolution has been unanimously adopted to the effect that each conference generously divide its tithe with foreign missions.
Therefore, if our people everywhere pay faithfully a full tithe into God's treasury, and each conference generously divides its tithes with foreign fields, there will be no lack of funds for the world-wide work.
E. R. PALMER, M. C. WILCOX, A. T. ROBINSON, J. O. CORLISS, Committee.

Work for the Blind

By Editor

To the General Conference Assembled.
BRETHREN: While we are considering the world-wide field, let us not overlook the needs of our friends who are in double darkness. Let us consider, briefly, the publishing work for the blind,—what it has done, what it is doing, and what can be accomplished with the aid of the leaders.
First, the work was begun in a small way about six years ago. Those in charge of the publishing work for the blind at that time began by publishing a few tracts in the language of those without sight. These tracts were welcomed by many of the blind throughout the United States; and some accepted the third angel’s message by reading the truths brought out in these tracts; and those who accepted the message by reading these tracts, have remained steadfast till this day. The General Conference Committee, seeing the result of these tracts, was persuaded that something more must be done. And the committee, led by the Spirit of God, decided to publish a monthly journal, and called it the Christian Record. Thus the work of giving the last-day message to the blind in their own language was begun. And thanks be to God, the work has steadily increased. The first issue of the journal was sent out in January, 1900. While the tracts are full of instruction pertaining to the truths of the third angel’s message, the magazine sent out in advance of the tracts paved the way for them. And thus the message due the world at this time began sounding to the blind in greater power than it did through the tracts.
Seventy-five copies were issued the first month; and the two workers entrusted with the work at that time, thought they were getting out a large number. This small edition seemed large from the fact that the work had to be done by hand. Motor or steam power could not be applied. Neither do we now have the advantage of the modern improvements in connection with our work to-day. The work and workers have been handicapped, and they have labored faithfully under great difficulties; but notwithstanding this fact, the warning message has been given, and many souls, blackened by sin, have been washed in the blood of Christ, and are now uniting their voices with us in giving the everlasting gospel to those in like circumstances.
The circulation has slowly increased, so that instead of sending out seventy-five, we are at the present time mailing between six and seven hundred monthly. Our progress has been slow, and we regret that we have not been able to do more for the thousands of blind men and women in this country and across the waters, who are ready to hear what we have to tell them. But to reach these perishing souls, the leaders of this denomination must co-operate with us. We need your support. We need your sympathy. We need your prayers.
We believe that it is time the work among blind people should be given its place in the message. We are convinced that each State conference, tract society, church, and individual should consider the awful condition of the blind, and quickly unite with us in holding out to them that which will feed their souls, and point them to the “Lamb of God, which taketh away the sins of the world.”
This quarter of a million of neglected, cast aside human beings are isolated, they are scattered here and there throughout America and other countries. But the ones we especially invite your attention to are right here in the United States. They are our neighbors. The blind are waiting, hundreds of doors are open in each State, and the fields are white unto harvest. But there is no one to give this eternal truth. There is no one to tell them that Jesus is coming again. The blind are easy to reach. They need your sympathy; and once the confidence of a blind person is won, there is no difficulty in presenting the message, and in most cases it is welcomed.
The Christian Record is the avenue through which God desires us to give the blind this wonderful truth. They are ready. Are you? The blind have but little reading-matter on religious subjects, therefore we should give this work special attention. The Bible is about the only literature in raised-letter type that can be had to-day; and it costs so much that only a few of the blind are in a position to get it. So you will clearly see the importance of taking advantage of this great opportunity. The blind welcome any kind of reading-matter. While the way is open, let us enter this great harvest-field; and endued with power from on high, we shall be able to prepare souls for the kingdom.
We have about fifteen tracts in raised type, besides the Christian Record—enough literature to give the blind a fair knowledge of the third angel’s message. God has established this branch of his work, and he is anxious to see the work succeed, and to bring the last-day message before the minds of this multitude of dying souls.
The Record work is in a better condition financially and spiritually than it has ever been before since it first started. Men and women are accepting the truth, and we feel that our efforts have been successful; and souls have been given to us as fruit for our labors.
Hundreds are calling to us for literature, and unless we have the co-operation of Seventh-day Adventists everywhere, we must turn these hungry souls away without even a taste of the good things found in the third angel’s message.
We would recommend that each State conference or tract society assume the responsibility of paying for at least two copies of the Christian Record to be sent to each institution and public library where literature is kept for those without sight. Each State has from one to four institutions for the blind, and as but few of these institutions are prepared to pay for literature sent them, I urge the members of each conference assembled here, to take such action at this great meeting as shall give character to the work among blind people; and open the way through which the blind in each State can hear the message. This can be done with only a small outlay of means. Each State has hundreds of blind people; they are everywhere.
The three angel’s messages found in Revelation 14 are to go to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people; then will the end come, and the Lord be seen coming in the clouds of heaven and bringing his sheaves with him, and the harvest is the end of the world. As this threefold message is to encircle the earth, who then will be overlooked?
We have access to nearly a quarter of a million souls who are thirsting for the everlasting gospel. I fear that we as a people have forgotten the blind in our anxiety to give the message to our seeing brethren and sisters. The door is open. Let us enter while we have opportunity to rescue these perishing ones.
Some have written to the editor stating that they have not been to a religious service for months. Hundreds of persons are in this condition. The only religious reading we have for them is the Christian Record. “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature,” said Jesus. This dear old gospel brings to the soul, thirsting and ready to perish, the water of life from the springs of life. And from these souls will spring up new wells of living water, which will flow into the lives of others. Souls are perishing to-day; souls are dying to-day, and yet we can not give them the message because we are limited for means. Many are appealing to us for the message, and they are crying out, “What shall we do to be saved?”
In every State in the Union there are hundreds of blind men and women to whom the future is dark and cheerless, to whom the future holds out no gladdening promise. Heart strings are snapping, and thousands are continually under the heavy weights of sin and disappointment. There is no help for these thousands of unfortunate beings save in the gospel of Jesus Christ, and this gospel must be made known to them in this generation. The message must go through the avenue which God has provided, the Christian Record.
It seems to me, brethren, that it is time for us to pause a moment and consider the needs of the blind. Hundreds of them are willing to study, and I believe they are ready for the last-day message. Shall we turn them away? or shall we bring them to you? I urge the Seventh-day Adventists of each State to see that all the blind in their State are provided with at least one year’s subscription to the Christian Record.
L. N. Muck, Editor.

Thirty-Fifth Meeting

By L. R. CONRADI; W. A. SPICER

The thirty-fifth meeting was called at 4 P. M., May 30; L. R. Conradi in the chair.
Prayer was offered by R. A. Underwood.
The final report of the committee on distribution of labor was presented and amended and adopted as follows:—
40. That Elder M. Shepard, of East Michigan, make Ontario his field of labor, and that Elder W. H. Spear, of Ontario, make East Michigan his field of labor.
41. That Elder W. F. Smith, of Pennsylvania, go to Prince Edward Island.
42. That Elder J. W. Watt make western Pennsylvania his field of labor.
43. That Elder H. F. Ketring, of South America, make Kansas his field of labor.
44. That, in view of the various calls for Elder E. W. Farnsworth's services, his place of labor be referred to the General Conference Committee; and, further, that all other cases pending be referred to the General Conference Committee for definite assignment.
The finance committee made a final report as follows:—
8. Resolved, That we recognize the Seventh-day Adventist Mission Board as the proper custodian of all our general mission funds, and we recommend that all such funds be forwarded monthly, through the regular channels of churches and local and union conferences, to the treasurer of said Board.
9. That whenever a special call is made for donations, care be taken to give a concise and definite designation of such fund, and that all local and union conference secretaries be requested to make use of the designation so given, in forwarding such funds through the regular channels to the Mission Board.
10. We recommend, That the forms and blanks for collecting funds, and the forms of our report blanks, be so revised and modified that all funds which are to be used for one and the same purpose, and which enter into the same account on the books of the Mission Board, be given a definite designation, to the end that fewer designations shall be made use of, thus saving a large amount of unnecessary and useless labor in making our church, conference, and Mission Board records. We nominate as a committee to prepare said blanks, the following-named brethren: I. H. Evans, W. A. Wilcox, R. H. Cadwalader, W. H. Edwards, C. M. Everest, J. J. Ireland, C. N. Woodward.
11. We recommend the adoption and use of such revised and modified blanks as shall be adopted by this committee, by all church and conference treasurers.
12. Resolved, That we approve of the action of the officers of the General Conference in using their influence in opening the way for the financial agent of the Southern Union Conference to solicit funds from our people generally for the work in the Southern field, and recommend that this be continued wherever satisfactory arrangements can be made.
This report was considered and adopted.
Smith Sharp wished, as Southern Union financial agent, to thank the brethren for the last resolution particularly. He always desired to work by arrangement with the conference presidents in any effort to lay the needs of the Southern field before the people. This resolution so generously adopted opened the way, and he wished to say to the presidents, to save time, that he might be expected at any of the meetings this season, without waiting for their invitation or arrangement.
Elder A. G. Daniells asked permission to introduce a recommendation which some one had prepared on church letters. It was considered and amended and adopted as follows:—
Whereas, For some years there has been a tendency on the part of many of the members of our churches to remove from the church to which they belong without transferring their membership, thus causing confusion in the matter of keeping accurate records of membership; therefore,—
We urge all the members of our churches everywhere to be more careful in respect to the transfer of their membership to the church where they reside.
And, further, we believe it would be advisable in cases where members do not report to their home church for a period of two years, and their whereabouts and standing can not, after due efforts, be ascertained, that their names be dropped from the church record; and, further,—
That we advise persons traveling or visiting to carry letters of recommendation from their home churches, and that, when visiting distant fields, this letter be indorsed by the president of the local conference, with date.
A resolution introduced regarding the preparation of a manual, giving instruction on church order for the help of church elders, was referred to the General Conference Committee.
Before adjournment, I. H. Evans, the treasurer, announced that the Washington fund stood at $96,703.79. The “surprise party” movement had stimulated the flow, so that since May 1, $27,486.35 had been received, of which $10,637.68 was for missions, the rest for the Washington work.
It was voted that Elder G. A. Irwin be requested to report on his visit to the East Indies and the Philippines, at the closing evening service.
The conference adjourned.
L. R. CONRADI, Chairman, W. A. SPICER, Secretary.

The Young People

At the eleventh session of the ministerial institute held at eleven o’clock, May 26, M. E. Kern read a paper upon the question “How to Save and Utilize Our Young People,” the larger portion of which is given herewith:—

The Problem

The young people’s work in its broad sense is, to my mind, the greatest internal problem facing the church. We are living in a time of special peril to the young, and how to save them to the kingdom of God, and for the service of this message is, indeed, a mighty problem.
We are face to face with the fact that the great army of young people among us is melting away; that there is a tremendous tendency for them to leave the truth; that young men and young women who have been brought up in the truth are seeking their pleasure and their work in the world. What shall we do to remedy the existing conditions? Shall we be able to turn our dear youth from the allurements of the world to God? Can we lead them to fill their minds with the Word of God, rather than the trashy imaginations of modern story writers, and quit weeping over imaginary tragedies, and weep with Jesus over a lost world? Will they turn from things temporary to things eternal, suffering affliction with the people of God, rather than enjoying the pleasures of sin for a season? Will the church arouse to the needs of these youth? Do we realize the truth of the statement that “very much has been lost to the cause of God by lack of attention to the young”? “No other work,” we are told, “is so important as the training of the youth.”
As individuals and as a conference, what can we do to assist in the solution of this great question? We desire most earnestly to see these boys and girls give themselves to God; and the cause needs the youthful ambition, energy, and fresh enthusiasm of these young men and women.

The Schools

The schools are inseparably connected with this young people’s problem, and in many respects hold the solution to it in their hands. If our parents realized that the most important work committed to them is the work of training their children; if all the teachers, from the primary to the training-school, had one purpose, and one only, before them,—namely, the restoration of the image of God in the souls of their pupils, and the preparation of workers for the proclamation of the message of Jesus’ coming,—we should, I am sure, see a different state of things to-day.
Our people should be taught to appreciate the value of education, and our schools should be strengthened year by year, and should be manned by men and women who understand young people, and whose whole hearts and lives are in this message, and who are willing to spend and be spent in its service.

Organization

The young people’s work as usually spoken of does not include the school work, but is an effort for the youth and by the youth in the churches. More than a decade ago we were instructed to organize companies of young people for such service as they can perform. It was said that “those who really love Jesus should organize, something after the order of the Christian Endeavor Society, for the purpose of doing what could be done for the salvation of souls.” The reference to the Christian Endeavor Society is probably to their spirit and energy, and to the faithfulness, alertness, and devotion of these young people.
“Young men and young women, can not you form companies, and as soldiers of Christ enlist in the work, putting your tact and skill and talent into the Master’s service, that you may save souls from ruin? Let there be companies organized in every church to do this work.”
“Will young men and young women who really love Jesus organize themselves as workers, not only for those who profess to be Sabbath-keepers, but for those not of our faith?”
“Let young men and women and children go to work in the name of Jesus. Let them unite together upon some plan and order of action. Can not you form a band of workers, and have set times to pray together and ask the Lord to give you his grace, and put forth united action? You should consult with men who love and fear God, who have experience in the work, that under the movings of the Spirit of God you may form plans and develop methods by which you may work in earnest and for certain results.” I believe that upon the following of this instruction depends the salvation of thousands of our young people. “The law of service is the connecting link which binds us to God.” “Those who reject the privilege of fellowship with Christ in service reject the only training that imparts a fitness for participation with him in his glory.”
In the effort to carry out the instruction of the Testimonies and in the organization of societies many perplexities have arisen. Societies have sometimes been organized simply because it seemed to be the proper thing to do, but with little thought of the objects to be sought. Some such societies have become strong companies by proper instruction, while others have drifted with no proper guidance until they became a great perplexity to the church. In this way some church officers have been turned against the young people’s work. But we must never turn against that which the Lord has directed us to do. On the other hand, we should set to work by earnest prayer and study to rectify our mistakes. I believe in order and organization, but form and organization are by no means the most important thing. That which is emphasized especially in this call to organize is soul winning, and without this thought to guide and control, nothing but failure can result.
Personal work has been emphasized as the work to be done by our young people. “All should realize that we are to seek counsel of God, that by well-directed personal efforts, we may save souls for whom Christ died.”
The church has been directed to form small companies as a basis for Christian effort, and when there are only two or three, they should be united as a band of workers. If our young people would work in this way in earnest and for definite results, no harm could result from their coming together in larger companies to relate their experiences; but such a meeting would serve as a place where further instruction and inspiration might be received.

The Need of Suitable Leaders

This brings us to one of the great questions in connection with this work,—the need of suitable leaders. To be able to do the work for our young people that should be done, they must be “directed and encouraged.” Of all people, the youth need wise guidance. They start well, but too often lack good judgment and stick-to-it-iveness to make a continual success. The almost universal cry from the local societies is the need of suitable leaders. In some cases well-meaning but misguided persons have utterly failed. From page fifteen of the “Testimonies on Sabbath-School Work” we read: “Who will take the youth separately and talk with them and pray with them, and make personal appeal to them, beseeching them to yield their hearts to Jesus that they may be as a sweet savor to Christ? As we view the magnitude of the work, and see how little it is appreciated, we feel like groaning in spirit, and exclaiming, ‘Who will accept these great responsibilities, and watch for souls as they that must give an account?’”

Conference Leaders

In view of the special importance of the work for this class, it becomes necessary that some one should be chosen in every conference who has a burden for this work, and can find relief only in faithful, earnest labor for the lambs of the flock,—some one to study and plan and instruct others, as well as labor for the young people. The work should also be strongly organized in the General Conference and in each of the union conferences.

Educational

There is need, it seems to me, of a great educational campaign in behalf of our young people. Our people, from parents to ministers, need to be aroused to the dangers that threaten the young, and to the necessity of earnest labor in their behalf. “Much has been lost,” we are told, “for lack of attention to the young.” “The members of the church will have to settle with the Master for their indifference and neglect of duty.” The overseers of the church, the older members, and the ministers have been instructed to give attention to the young. But many, perhaps the majority, do not know how to take up this work. They need instruction by those who make a careful study of the problem, and know how to succeed with young people. This educational campaign should be carried on through our papers, and by means of leaflets on the salient points of this work, and through the aid and co-operation of General, union, and State conferences.
The young people’s work presents problems peculiar to itself, which demand most earnest prayer and study. It is my opinion that not every one can be a successful leader in this work. We need special workers, and we must develop them. The State takes the matter in hand, and requires a certain proficiency of those who would administer to the bodies of men. Shall we be careless and indifferent in the preparation of soul-physicians? “Cursed be he that doeth the work of the Lord negligently.”
This brings us to another line of educational work. It has occurred to some that we must educate and train young people for this line of work. In “Testimonies for the Church” we read, “We should educate the youth to help the youth, and as they seek to do this work, they will gain an experience that will qualify them to become consecrated workers in a larger sphere.”
In our missionary work in Union College this year we divided the young people into bands, each band studying and doing a special line of missionary work, such as branch Sabbath-school work, periodical work, ministerial work, Dorcas work, etc. One of these bands took up the study of the young people’s work, and, although broken into considerably by various hindrances, several of the young people are quite well prepared to go out into the churches surrounding their homes, and do earnest, faithful work for the young people. This has opened before us a new line of thought and effort. If we can only get all our young people to do something in working for their fellow youth, what a blessing it will be!
To recapitulate: (1) we have a mighty problem to save our young people to the kingdom of God; (2) the schools should be operated by men and women whose whole hearts are in this work, and who understand the young people’s problem, and the preparation of workers for these lines of work; (3) the young people’s organization should be simple, and its central thought should be soul winning; (4) one of the greatest needs is that of suitable leaders; (5) the adolescent, of all persons, needs wise leadership and patient love and direction in his work; (6) the young people as a special class need special effort adapted to their needs; (7) there should be one or more in each conference to give their whole time to this work; (8) there should be some one in the General Conference and in each of the union conferences who will spend his time and energy in the study and direction of this work; (9) there is need of a great educational campaign in behalf of our young people, that parents and workers may understand better the problem, and how to labor for the young; (10) every well-directed effort for the young will pay in the souls of young people, and in the advancement of the message.
“With such an army of workers as our youth rightly trained might furnish, how soon the message of a crucified, risen, and soon-coming Saviour might be given to the world.” What a thought, that the right training of the army of young people among us would bring this work to a speedy close! Let us do something more than we are doing.
“With such preparation as they can gain, thousands upon thousands of the youth and those older in years should be giving themselves to this work.” And we have the assurance that “already many hearts are responding to this call of the Master Worker, and their numbers will increase.”
There is much pent-up energy in the lives of the ten thousand youth among Seventh-day Adventists, which, like the power of harnessed Niagara, will turn the wheels of this message if once brought into line. Shall it not be our privilege at this conference to take such steps as to direct the energy and enthusiasm of our youth into the channels of the world’s need for this time? Brethren, has not the time come for the message of Elijah to be fulfilled? Is it not time for the hearts of the parents and children of this people to be melted together in love, and for them to go forward a united host to victory and to the kingdom of God?
F. Griggs: It has been clearly set before us that one of the great hopes of our work is our young people. We all recognize the fact that as we grow older, we do not have the enthusiasm and power that we had when we were younger. Youth is a time when the ambitions and the purposes of life are largely formed. If the purposes and ambitions then formed are those pertaining to the cause and work of God, that work will be uppermost in our minds. And in the formation of these ambitions and purposes our schools have a very important relation. Character is said to be the sum of all our habits. If this be true, and it is, how necessary it is that we form right habits. But habit is formed only after many repetitions. If we place our young people where there is continual repetition of right principles, and fixed ideals, and where they themselves repeat over and over again these same principles and ideals, we have them in a channel where a right character is formed, and where right purposes are before them.
I can call to mind many young men and women who have come to our schools as very crude material, who have been polished and refined, and established in the work of the Lord. Our schools are ordained, under God, to do exactly this work. Every church-member has laid upon him a sacred commission to see to it that every young person has the benefit of these schools. I believe that when our people rise as one, and see that our young people are trained and educated for the work of the Lord, they will then be doing one of the most important works that God has given them to do in connection with the young people.
It is often said that the duty of educating young men and women rests upon parents, and there it is allowed to rest. I grant that the primary duty of educating young people does rest upon parents; but I grant also that one of the primary duties of the church is to see that these young people are educated.
When we take hold of this work for our young people and children and train them for the cause and service of God as he has ordained that we should, the work in foreign lands will be greatly advanced. We want the enthusiasm of the young people, and they need our counsel and help. We want the energy of the youth to be trained and directed as a mighty factor in the closing of this work.
G. B. Thompson: There are two things that to my mind are fundamental in this whole problem: one is that our young people need to know the third angel’s message, for unless they are acquainted with the great fundamental pillars of this truth, their work for life will be a failure; and the other is that they need something to do, and the Lord calls upon leaders, laborers, and church-members everywhere to plan work for our young people who are consecrated to God.
Continue reading: Concerning the Conference