SOME mothers are exceedingly fond of their own children, and are willing to spend and be spent for them. They sacrifice their own ease and comfort and deny themselves of many pleasures that their children may be supplied with comforts and even luxuries. And it is right that we should love our children and give them the most tender care, for the Lord has given them to us to rear and to train for him; and, as the saying is, "Charity begins at home." But it should not end there. Our interests should reach out beyond the borders of our own home. We should not allow the home interests to occupy all our time and attention, for there are many children and youth in the world, and older ones, too, who have not wise parents nor loving friends to guide and protect them, as have our children, and who greatly need our help.
Some injudicious mothers seek to gratify every whim of their own children, and instead of reproving them, they overlook and excuse their faults, even when they have been very much in the wrong. When they are justly punished by the teacher in school, or have had trouble with other children, the mother justifies them in wrong-doing, thus doing them a great injury, as well as making the work of the teacher much more difficult.
The Christian mother should not be narrow-minded, but her heart should reach out to other children and young people besides those of her own household. The young are beset with many dangers in this age, and many of them are as sheep without a shepherd. We should take a friendly interest in those with whom we come in contact, and study and plan ways and means whereby we may reach their hearts and win them to Christ, or, if they are already Christians, then we should do what we can to encourage and help them in the Christian life. As mothers, let us teach our children, both by precept and example, to love their neighbors, and to cooperate with us, as we labor together with Christ in seeking to save his little ones.
"And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise. For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them. And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same." "Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful." Luke 6:31-33, 36.
If we really have the spirit of Christ, we shall have the same tender solicitude for others that Jesus expressed for the wayward children of Israel, when he said, "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!" Matt. 23:37.
The Noon-Hour Prayer
"Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice." "And the Lord turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends."
"THERE is a mystery in human hearts,
And though we are encircled by a host
Of those who love us well, and are beloved,
To every one of us, from time to time,
There comes a sense of utter loneliness.
Our dearest friend is stranger to our joy,
And cannot realize our bitterness.
'There is not one who really understands,
Not one to enter into all I feel;'
Such is the cry of each of us in turn,
We wander in—a solitary way.
"No matter what or where our lot may be,
Each heart, mysterious even to itself,
Must live its inner life in solitude.
And would you know the reason why this is?
It is because the Lord desires our love.
In every heart he wishes to be first.
He therefore keeps the secret key himself,
To open all its chambers, and to bless
With perfect sympathy and holy peace
Each solitary soul who comes to him.
So when we feel this loneliness, it is
The voice of Jesus saying, 'Come to me;'
And every time we are 'not understood,'
It is the call to us to come again;
For Christ alone can satisfy the soul,
And those who walk with him from day to day
Can never have—a solitary way.
"And when beneath some heavy cross you faint,
And say, 'I cannot bear this load alone,'
You say the truth. Christ made it purposely
So heavy that you must return to him.
The bitter grief which 'no one understands,'
Conveys a secret message from the King,
Entreating you to come to him again.
The Man of Sorrows understands it well,
In all points tempted he can feel with you.
You cannot come too often or too near.
The Son of God is infinite in grace.
His presence satisfies the longing soul,
And those who walk with him from day to day
Can never have—a solitary way."
Requests for Prayer
260. An aged sister in Oregon, who is threatened with blindness, asks prayer that her eyes may be strengthened and her health restored; also that her daughter may be healed.
261. An Illinois sister writes: "Please pray for my dear father, who has been injured by falling from a street-car."
262. A brother sends the request from Iowa that we pray for the restoration of his hearing.
263. An isolated sister in British Columbia desires prayer for healing.
264. Writing from Manitoba, Canada, a brother asks us to pray that his health and strength may be restored so that he may actively engage in work for the Lord.
265. A sister requests prayer for healing from neuralgia.
266. An anxious mother in Indiana begs us to pray for the healing of her daughter.
267. A brother in Colorado desires prayer that his eyesight may be preserved and strengthened.
268. A family in Washington request our prayers for strength and comfort in the endurance of a severe trial which has just come to them.
A Remark Worthy of Serious Attention
"The prevailing styles of dress are common objects of jest among young men, and this jesting sows the thought-seed for immoral harvests. The close-fitting costumes, the peek-a-boo waist, low necks and short sleeves, offensively short skirts, and sheer hosiery were designed in the first place with no other object than to draw the attention of men."
When we recall that this is the remark of that woman so much experienced in dealing with girls that have gone astray, Mary Yeomans, provincial probation officer at Edmonton, it is worthy of serious attention by those who care. The eye is most powerful in contributing to human delinquency. It is to be a party to the consequent crime to inflame neurotic desire through adultery that has its seat first in the eye.
Jesus said, "Whosoever looketh . . . hath committed . . . already in his heart." And whosoever contributes to that debasing look that calls it out and lures it on shares responsibility with the one who executes the sinful look.—Pacific Christian Advocate.
Falling and Rising Toward the Mountaintop
By Flora Howard
The mountaintop must be reached, no matter how many times we fall in reaching it. The fall is not counted; it does not register; the picking up and going on counts in life.—Flora Howard.
The Work of the Washington Foreign Mission Seminary
By M. E. Kern
A Missionary People
THE thirty-eighth session of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists was a great missionary council. No one could have mingled with the delegates without getting the impression that this people are carrying forward a worldwide movement, that they have their faces set like a flint to compass the earth with this message.
While it takes strong faith to believe that this work will be accomplished in our day, it is not impractical sentiment that prompts us. By establishing a system of schools for the training of missionaries, at a cost of many hundreds of thousands of dollars; by giving of their means to foreign missions (many times more per capita than is given by any other body of Christians); and by sending to the mission field one out of every one hundred and eighty-two members, Seventh-day Adventists are proving their faith by their works, and demonstrating their belief that God uses means for the accomplishment of his purpose.
Special Missionary Training
A well-qualified worker can do much more for the cause than one who is not; and the strength of our work abroad depends on the efficiency of our missionary forces. While we have not set up the standards of scholastic training attempted by others, and have not always been able to reach the standard which we have set, it is gratifying to know that our students who have recently gone out to China and Japan have stood first in the language schools which they have attended, and that our young men and women everywhere by hard work and earnest consecration are getting results in the salvation of the heathen.
The inquiries received concerning the work of our Foreign Mission Seminary indicate a wide and deepening interest in a thorough preparation for foreign work. We shall endeavor in this article to set forth briefly the work of this school. While all classes of laborers are used in the foreign field, it is the need of evangelical workers that demands our first attention. The call for a vigorous evangelistic campaign in behalf of the great cities of America also emphasizes this need. So the Seminary specializes in the training of evangelistic workers,—ministers, Bible workers, medical missionaries, and colporteurs. The methods of training include the most thorough study of the message itself with the subjects that naturally go with it, a theoretical study of how to do the different lines of work, and the practical application of the truths and methods learned by doing active Christian work in the vicinity of the school.
BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS OF THE FOREIGN MISSION SEMINARY
Training for the Ministry
No one denies that those who enter the sacred work of the ministry should have a special training for that work. General education is very essential, but that alone does not necessarily prepare one for a specific line of work. It is said that only one college graduate in four who enters the work of the Young Men's Christian Association without a technical training remains in the work five years, while the graduates of the association's special training-school remain in the work on the average three times as long as others. If the facts were only known, doubtless we should see that many young men have either made third-rate preachers or dropped out entirely for lack of proper training before they began. Let our young men who aspire to the ministry not slacken their efforts in preparation until they have received a proper training for so sacred a calling. Doubtless we have fully reached the time spoken of in the spirit of prophecy several years ago: "In the future there will be more pressing need of men and women of literary qualifications than there has been in the past; for broad fields are opening before us white already for the harvest." Our training-schools are giving more and more attention to the training of ministers. The Bible teachers of all our training-schools in the United States have been together for special study this summer. Earnestly they have studied and prayed together that they may be well qualified for their work. Let many young men go to the schools this winter and receive a training for the ministry.
The Seminary is giving special attention to specific ministerial preparation. The class in pastoral training has included a study of the ideas of the ministry, the principles of sermon building, and the preparation and delivery of sermons. Next year we are to have a second year of pastoral training, which will include a study in exposition, the history of preaching, and further work in constructive homiletics.
Bible Workers' Training
It is very evident that the work of giving Bible readings from home to home is of equal importance with the ministry, and that those who engage in this personal and even more difficult work should have a special training for it. The same general plan of training mentioned above is followed, with the city of Washington as the field of operation for practical work. While the supply of those who have taken this course has been far below the demand, we feel that gratifying results have been seen, both in the development of workers and in the fruits of the work of the class.
Medical Missionary Training
The demand for medical missionaries at home and abroad, the large number of graduate nurses who desire Biblical and evangelical training, and the many evangelistic workers who desire some medical knowledge, has caused the Seminary to lay special plans for medical missionary instruction. We have a postgraduate missionary nurses' course, including advanced medical instruction, Bible, Bible work, history, and dispensary work. Our dispensary work has developed very encouragingly, and we have to figure closely to give all the postgraduates and mission students their time there. Ministerial, Bible work, and colporteur students take elementary work in nursing, and have some opportunity for observation and experience in the dispensary.
Colporteurs' Training
The General Conference Publishing Department takes a special interest in this work. Successful colporteurs are invited here for special study and preparation for the foreign work. Instruction is given, and practical field work is done. The city of Washington presents some difficult problems to the colporteur, so furnishes a good field for advanced study.
Special Missionary Training
There are four lines of work for special missionary training,—the history of missions, missionary methods and problems, study of special fields, and language. Aside from some work in Spanish and French, the Seminary offers a course in phonetics. It has been demonstrated that a careful study of the fundamental sounds that are used in all languages and a training in scientific methods of language study will greatly shorten the time necessary for the acquirement of a language after reaching the field. The Foreign Mission Boards of North America have indorsed the "phonetic inductive" method presented by Rev. Thomas F. Cummings. Our teacher of phonetics will spend some time studying with Mr. Cummings this summer, in order to obtain any special help that he may be able to render.14
Other Lines of Work
Of necessity the Seminary carries many of the regular academic and collegiate studies for the accommodation of those who take these special training courses. The English and the music work is especially strong, and some industrial subjects are given, principally printing, dressmaking, and millinery. Any one desiring a course here should write for full particulars. Address M. E. Kern, president, Takoma Park, D. C.
Brethren Conducting Tent Efforts Are Writing for Newspapers
By Walter L. Burgan
THERE are, perhaps, more ministers in our denomination who are now giving synopses of the lectures they deliver in connection with their tent efforts to the local newspapers for publication than ever in the history of the third angel's message. Many scores of the preachers are preparing daily extracts of their sermons, which the editors gladly publish. Truly this wonderful medium, which visits practically every home and is read by millionaire, banker, business man, and hard toiler alike, is being utilized to help swell the loud cry.
Quite a number of the brethren who have heretofore been backward in handing to the editors synopses of their sermons are meeting with excellent success in their efforts; and others who have been successful during past efforts are submitting longer articles this season, and with the publication of each article are growing more confident in the belief that they can secure space in newspapers for the spread of the gospel message with as much freedom as do the ministers of popular churches.
We of the Press Bureau are much encouraged over the results that have come to various brethren now conducting tent efforts through using the model sermons sent to them as guides for articles they might write for their home papers. These model sermons are sermons that have been published in connection with tent and hall efforts that have been held in various parts of the United States. These models have been sent out in response to requests that were made by brethren who felt that the newspapers where they were laboring would print accounts of their sermons if they had something to guide them in preparing copy that would be acceptable to editors.
In telling of his success in getting articles published, one brother in West Virginia says:—
"I thank you for the model sermons for newspapers which you so kindly sent. The interest in our services is growing, and we are able to get a synopsis of each sermon in two daily papers."
"We have an article published every day," says a brother in the Western New York Conference.
A brother in the New York Conference who has met with excellent success in writing for the papers in the past, tells of the effort he is now conducting in Albany, N. Y., the capital of that great State, as follows:—
"I am enclosing articles from the papers of last week. We got excellent space all the week, as you will see. These accounts were printed in the Knickerbocker Press. Our attendance was fine, and is one third better this week so far. The newspaper part of it is all right. We are getting people to the tent from nearly all parts of the city, some from forty blocks away."
All of us will agree that this newspaper was really responsible in informing the residents of that city who live forty blocks from where the tent has been pitched that gospel services are being held in a canvas pavilion. Not only is this brother securing a liberal amount of space in this paper each day, but is placing advertisements in it. He is giving publicity in a perfectly proper manner to the services he is holding, with the result that souls are being attracted who would, in all probability, have remained ignorant of the fact that such meetings were being held, had it not been for the newspaper. This endeavor on the part of the evangelist may eventually mean the salvation of a number of souls for the Lord's kingdom.
A brother in one of the large cities in Virginia is meeting with success in his newspaper efforts. He is preaching to a few hundred each night in the city of Portsmouth, and the next morning a report of his sermon appears in the leading paper of Norfolk, which circulates over both Norfolk and Portsmouth and the surrounding territory.
That editors are willing to print articles from our brethren is shown from these incidents and numerous other letters that have been received in which the writers say that the editors of their home papers would gladly publish more about our people. One brother in Massachusetts, who is engaged in ministerial effort in a foreign language, tells of the willingness of an editor in that State to publish our reports, as follows:—
"The editor of the Telegram, a leading paper of this city, has recently expressed his willingness to take articles on subjects we lecture about. Now, as I am not able to write such articles in English, will you please furnish me with a series of sermons for this purpose?"
My brethren and sisters, we have many evidences that the Lord is opening the columns of these mediums for the dissemination of the gospel. Let us take courage, especially those of us who still feel timid about writing for the press, and join the large band we now have enjoying success in having sermons published and circulated in places where the living preacher has never been.
WALTER L. BURGAN.
Report of the South Texas Conference and Camp-Meeting
By Eugene Leland
THIS meeting was held July 7-17, in a pleasant grove in the north part of the city of Austin, the capital of the State. About one hundred and twenty-five Sabbath-keepers were encamped on the ground, and there were about forty tents pitched, besides the dining-tent, the book-tent, and the large pavilion.
A spirit of unity among the laborers of the conference, as well as among the brethren and sisters, was manifest throughout the entire time of the meeting. There seemed to be a disposition on the part of all to be in harmony with the principles of the message and with the organization that is carrying it.
The evening services were devoted principally to sermons on the doctrines of the message, for the benefit of the general public. During the day the preaching was of a more practical nature, calculated to encourage the brethren and sisters in the Christian life, and it was heartily responded to by the people.
The attendance from the outside was not so great as was desired, though there was sufficient interest so that the conference officers felt justified in continuing the services after the close of the camp-meeting as long as the interest might demand.
The business of the conference was conducted in a perfectly harmonious manner, and was concluded about the middle of the meeting, thus leaving the remainder of the time to be devoted entirely to the spiritual interests. The last Sabbath and Sunday were especially good days. The Spirit of God was manifested in great power, and all the campers consecrated themselves anew to the service of God. Several made a start for the first time to live the Christian life, and a number went forward in the ordinance of baptism, which was administered in a Christian church near by, the use of which for the purpose was offered gratuitously by the pastor and his congregation. There was a hearty and unanimous response to a resolution adopting the twenty-cent-a-week plan of raising money for missionary purposes.
The book work was represented by Elder A. F. Harrison, the general agent for the Southwestern Union, and in his usual vigorous way he filled the whole camp with enthusiasm for this work.
Elder J. I. Taylor, who has served the conference as president since its organization, requested to be relieved from the responsibility of the office, and was succeeded by my brother, Elder J. A. Leland. The other officers of the conference were practically the same as last year. Besides the regular laborers of the conference, there were present at the meeting Elder G. F. Watson, president of the union conference; Elder W. A. McCutchen, president of the North Texas Conference, Prof. C. B. Hughes, principal of Keene Academy; Elder J.15P. Anderson, of China; and the writer.
The finances of the conference are in fairly good condition, and with the favorable prospects, coupled with the blessing of God, there is every reason to believe that the South Texas Conference will soon take its place as one of the strong conferences of North America.
EUGENE LELAND.
Florida
By R. T. Nash
Quincy.—The writer, with his family, and Brother and Sister E. E. Trowbridge and Miss Lillian Hickok as assistants, opened meetings in a tent at this place May 2. Because of prejudice, our attendance was very small to begin with, but steadily increased until our audiences were quite good for a town of two thousand inhabitants. Some are beginning to keep the Sabbath, and the dragon is very much stirred over the situation. We need wisdom in binding off this effort. Pray that God may give us much fruit. R. T. Nash.
The Alberta Conference and Camp-Meeting
By Ole Andres Olsen
This meeting was held at Calgary, July 6-13. The camp was conveniently located near the street-car line and close to the banks of the river. The weather was very favorable the entire time. Sixty tents composed the camp, and three hundred and twenty-five of our people attended the meeting. The laborers present, aside from those of the union and the home conference, were Elders G. F. Haffner, V. Leer, B. J. Cady, A. A. Carscallen, S. Mortenson, Brother Bobienco, and the writer. Regular services were conducted daily in English, German, Scandinavian, and Russian. A considerable outside interest was developed, especially among the Germans and English.
The conference business was very harmonious, and showed encouraging gains in its several departments. The conference school at Lacombe reported a very successful year, with an attendance of one hundred and sixty students, and a prospect for a large increase the coming year.
While the work in Alberta is somewhat more advanced than in Saskatchewan, still this is a new field, and presents most favorable conditions for a rapid growth of the work among the forty and more different nationalities of which this conference is composed. How much we need efficient and earnest laborers to fill the many urgent calls coming from so many places!
Elder C. A. Burman was reelected president of the conference for the coming year, and but few changes in the other offices were made.
This conference has been among the foremost to keep up the mission funds, going far beyond the fifteen cents a week per member the past year, and the president assured us of the twenty cents a week per member this year. Such assurance is encouraging, for the great expansion of the missionary work that is called for needs the funds.
Here, as well as at Saskatchewan, funds were needed to meet the needs of the home field. The call for funds realized in cash and pledges $2,770 for missions and the home work. Besides this, the Sabbath-school offerings amounted to $237.90, and the young people raised $54.50 for their new tent.
The laborers enjoyed freedom in presenting the message, both in the practical instruction to our people and in the presentation of the leading features of the message to the larger congregation. Sabbath was a good day; the Lord came very near, and the consecration services were marked with much of the Holy Spirit's presence. Many sought the Lord for a deeper experience; a goodly number took their stand for the first time. Fourteen willing candidates were buried with their Lord in baptism, while six others will go forward in this ordinance in the home church. The meeting closed with an excellent spirit, and our people returned to their homes with renewed courage for the contest.
Personally, I greatly enjoyed visiting this part of the Canadian field and associating with Elder H. S. Shaw, the president of the union, and with the other laborers. May the Lord continue greatly to bless and prosper the work in this interesting field. O. A. OLSEN.
The Object of the Missionary Meeting
1. To seek the blessing and guidance of God in our work, and upon the workers everywhere. 2 Cor. 1:11; Matt. 9:38. We may help to answer our own prayers. Isa. 6:8.
2. To study the best methods of working for others. 2 Tim. 2:15.
"It is acquaintance that awakens sympathy, and sympathy is the spring of effective ministry. To awaken in the children and youth sympathy and the spirit of sacrifice for the suffering millions in the 'regions beyond,' let them become acquainted with these lands and their people. . . . Let them study all lands in the light of missionary effort, and become acquainted with the peoples and their needs."—"Education," page 269.
5. To plan so that every member of the church can be given something to do. Mark 13:34.
"God requires personal service at the hands of every one to whom he entrusts his truth. Some may feel that if they give of their substance they are excused from personal efforts. He will accept nothing short of ourselves. You must work to save souls."
"Every one of us can do something if we will only take the position that God would have us take. . . . Every move you make to enlighten others, brings you nearer into harmony with the God of heaven." "Many are sad, discouraged, weak in faith and trust. Let them do something to help some one more needy than themselves, and they will grow strong in the strength of God."
"The work of imparting to others that which he has received will constitute every member of the church a laborer together with him. . . . It is the privilege of every human being who receives Christ to be a worker with him." "We call upon every church-member in the name of Christ to deny self, take up the cross, and follow Jesus."
6. To attend to any business that may be necessary in carrying on the work. 1 Cor. 14:40.
Three Essentials for a Successful Missionary Meeting
Earnest, cheerful, leader.
Good program.
A report from each member.
1. The leader, the captain of the Lord's regiment, to go before and lead.
How much depends on the leader of a missionary meeting! He can bring life and interest into every item rendered if his own heart is full of the missionary spirit. He will need tact and wisdom to guide matters at times. He should see that nothing drags, that everything is done in an earnest manner, and be prepared to fill in any gaps that may occur through some one's being unavoidably absent. He should know beforehand what subject will be considered at the meeting. He should also see that the missionary meeting receives proper announcement in the church services, to insure a good attendance.
2. The program, the plan of campaign, planned for by the missionary committee, the officers of the Lord's regiment.
A committee should be appointed who will counsel together with reference to the program for the missionary meeting. Fully two weeks should be given for preparation to those who are asked to take part in the meeting. All phases of missionary work, both home and foreign, should be considered, and members encouraged to assist in presenting these subjects. Some might also assist in selecting subject-matter that could be studied with profit by the society. The entire rendering of the program should not exceed one hour. Far better close your meeting at its most interesting point than have your members become weary. Let your meeting be like the fascinating magazine article — continued in our next. Attendance is then assured for your next meeting.
3. Good reports, the services of the people, the privates of the Lord's regiment, who carry forward the campaign.
Each member should realize that he is responsible for the success of the missionary meeting. If he fails in his part, the meeting is a failure to just that extent. His report of work for the week is necessary. If he has been active, he will bring life and inspiration to the16meeting. Good reports are absolutely necessary to a good, live missionary meeting.
"Plan ways whereby a live interest may be kindled, and train up the young to do what is appointed them. Let them have a part to act, and from week to week let them bring in their reports, telling what they have experienced, and through the grace of Christ, what success has been theirs. If the missionary meeting were a meeting where such reports were brought in by consecrated workers, it would not be dull, tedious, and uninteresting. It would be full of intense interest, and there would be no lack in attendance."—"An Appeal on Home Missionary Work."
It therefore takes all—leader, missionary committee, and church-members—to conduct a successful missionary campaign and hold an interesting missionary meeting.
Church Missionary Work
By Editor
Suggestive Program for Fourth Sabbath Home Missionary Service
(Aug. 23, 1913)
OPENING SONG: "Christ in Song," No. 481.
PRAYER.
BIBLE STUDY: "The Object of the Missionary Meeting."
A TALK: "Three Essentials for a Successful Missionary Meeting."
SONG: "Christ in Song," No. 513.
READING: "Home Missionary Work."
READING: "The Home Missionary Campaign; What Is It?"
READING: "An Appeal to Our Lay Members."
REPORT of missionary work, with verbal reports from members.
COLLECTION of report blanks filled out by members.
OFFERING for home missionary work.
PLANS FOR WORK: Aggressive work with tracts and periodicals.
PRAYER. (A few short prayers may be offered.)
SONG: "Christ in Song," No. 683.
BENEDICTION.
NOTE.—The church missionary secretary (librarian) acts as treasurer of the fourth Sabbath offerings and of all other church missionary society funds, and of its literature.
Home Missionary Work
By Ellen G. White
God expects personal service from every one to whom he has entrusted a knowledge of the truth for this time. Not all can go as missionaries to foreign lands, but all can be home missionaries in their families and neighborhoods.
There are many ways in which church-members may give the message to those around them. One of the most successful is by living helpful, unselfish, Christian lives. Those who are fighting the battle at great odds may be refreshed and strengthened by little attentions which cost nothing.
My brother, my sister, what are you doing for Christ? Are you seeking to be a blessing to others? Are your lips uttering words of kindness, sympathy, and love? Are you putting forth earnest efforts to win others to the Saviour?
It is a mystery that there are not hundreds at work where now there is but one. The heavenly universe is astonished at the apathy, the coldness, the listlessness, of those who profess to be sons and daughters of God. For years the work has been kept before us, but many have been asleep.
Our Lesson Book
Christ's work is to be our example. Constantly he went about doing good. In the temple and in the synagogues, in the streets of the cities, in the marketplace and the workshop, by the seaside and among the hills, he preached the gospel and healed the sick. His life was one of unselfish service, and it is to be our lesson book.
Human beings have no right to think that there is a limit to the efforts that they are to make in the work of soul-saving. Did Christ ever become weary in his work? Did he ever draw back from sacrifice and hardship? Church-members are to put forth the continuous, persevering efforts that he put forth.
Comparatively little missionary work is done; and what is the result? The truths that Christ gave are not taught. Many of God's people are not growing in grace. Many are in an unpleasant, complaining frame of mind. Those who are not helping others to see the importance of the truth for this time, must feel dissatisfied with themselves. Satan takes advantage of this feature in their experience and leads them to criticize and find fault.
A Place for Every One
The Lord has a place for every one in his great plan. Talents that are not needed are not bestowed. Suppose that the talent is small. God has a place for it, and that one talent, if faithfully used, will do the very work God designs that it should do. The talents of the humble cottager are needed in the house-to-house labor, and can accomplish more in this work than brilliant gifts.
The Lord is calling upon his people to take up different lines of work. Those in the highways and byways of life are to hear the gospel message. Church-members are to do evangelistic work in the homes of their neighbors who have not yet received full evidence of the truth for this time.
The presentation of the truth, in love and simplicity from house to house, is in harmony with the instruction that Christ gave his disciples when he sent them out on their first missionary tour. By songs of praise, by humble, heartfelt prayers, many will be reached. The divine Worker will be present to send conviction to hearts.
Different Lines of Service
By lending or selling books, by distributing papers, and by holding Bible readings, our lay members could do much in their own neighborhoods. Filled with love for souls, they could proclaim the message with such power that many would be converted.
Allow no opportunity to pass unimproved. Visit the sick and suffering, and show a kindly interest in them. If possible do something to make them more comfortable. Through this means you can reach their hearts and speak a word for Christ.
There is a wide field for service for women as well as for men. The efficient cook, the seamstress, the nurse,—the help of all is needed. Let the members of poor households be taught how to cook, how to make and mend their own clothing, how to nurse the sick, how to care properly for the home. Even the children should be taught to do some little errand of love and mercy for those less fortunate than themselves.
Other lines of usefulness will open before those who are willing to do the duty nearest them. It is not learned, eloquent speakers that are needed now, but humble, Christlike men and women.
Work disinterestedly, lovingly, patiently, for all with whom you are brought in contact. Show no impatience. Utter not one unkind word. Let the love of Christ be in your hearts, the law of kindness on your lips.
In the work of scattering our publications, we can speak of a Saviour's love from a warm and throbbing heart.
MRS. E. G. WHITE.
