Reporting by FLORA McCHESNEY

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 10, 1916

Reporting

By FLORA McCHESNEY

To me the subject of reporting is one of great importance. I do not know why, unless it may be because I enjoy reading the reports of other societies, and watching the advancement of the Missionary Volunteer work. In order for societies to report correctly, it is necessary for each member to give a report of the work done. Several reasons might be given on the necessity and importance of reporting.

If each member of the society can do but a little, and this little is faithfully reported, the whole amount of work performed will be sufficient to encourage the entire society to greater activity. On the other hand, if one is deprived of the stimulus gained from the knowledge that others are working in the same good cause, he is apt to become discouraged, and the work will suffer in consequence.

Sometimes if one individual sees what another member less capable than himself is doing, he will arouse to greater activity and find many opportunities for labor. Often it is a source of encouragement to a society to compare the amount of work which it is doing at the present time with what it has done in former years. This cannot be done unless a record is kept of the work performed by the members.

In writing to the Corinthian brethren, the apostle Paul speaks concerning “the ministering to the saints,” which is one form of missionary work, and says that he had boasted of them to the brethren in Macedonia, and their zeal had “provoked very many.” Paul must have had a report of what the Corinthian brethren had done, or he could not have aroused others by their zeal.

The instruction given by God tends toward system and method in this work. The Record of Inspiration contains many reports that must have been rendered by individuals, since all God’s work is an individual work.

If one’s motive in reporting is to get glory to himself, the words of our Saviour in Matthew 6 would probably be applicable to his case. Christ says that those who do their works to be seen of men, already have their reward.

We seem to have illustrations in the work of Christ where his labor is recorded in every detail; and if this were wrong, he surely would not have left us such an example. The story of the feeding of the five thousand not only gives a record of the work performed, but also of the methodical manner in which it was done. Christ’s life is a perfect pattern for us, and he did nothing contrary to the instruction he gave his disciples.

Christ says, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven;” and again, “By their fruits ye shall know them.” The good works of the children of God are the most effectual preaching that the unbeliever hears.

Some may say, “But are these reports worth much after all?” They surely are. It is through them that a careful watch is kept over the work of this great cause, and we can learn of the advancement being made in all parts of the world.

The next question is, What shall we report? The Young People’s Missionary Volunteer Department furnishes blanks ready to fill in, and on the back of most of them you find what is meant by each item. In some of the largest societies the work is done by committees, and care must be taken not to report the same thing more than once. The oftener the reports are gathered, the greater will be the stimulus received from them.

Perhaps the most important phase of this subject is promptness in reporting. Let us resolve that we will have something to report each week, and see to it that the reports are sent in promptly.

FLORA McCHESNEY.