The Missionary Volunteer Report by M. E. Kern

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 24, 1916

The Missionary Volunteer Report

By M. E. Kern

“We have an army of youth today who can do much if they are properly directed and encouraged.” This statement, made by Mrs. E. G. White more than twenty years ago, is surely fulfilled before our eyes today. In all parts of the world the advent youth are pressing into the Lord’s service.

That the readers of the REVIEW are greatly interested in the Young People’s Society of Missionary Volunteers we know. Nothing brings greater joy to the hearts of the older members of the church than to see the youth turning away from the pleasures of the world and giving themselves to the Lord’s work.

In the REVIEW of Dec. 16, 1915, was published a condensed statement of the missionary work reported by our young people from the beginning of the General Conference organized effort up to June 30, 1915. This represented the first fourteen years of our young people’s work. In this issue of the REVIEW is given a statistical report of the work done by our Missionary Volunteer Societies for the six months from July 1 to Dec. 31, 1915. While the report is by no means complete, the whole European Division being omitted, the totals are very encouraging.

From the first, we have endeavored to which emphasize personal work as fundamental. While, in some respects, personal work is the most difficult for our young people to do, this report shows that our Missionary Volunteers have made an average of four and one-third missionary visits per member during the time represented.

This report shows that our young people distributed more than 450,000 papers and over 400,000 tracts, besides more than 40,000 books.

And, best of all, the report shows that nearly fifteen hundred young people were converted.

As we all rejoice at the spiritual awakening among our youth, let us—older church members, parents, and workers—encourage the young people by our sympathetic interest and our prayers.

M. E. Kern, M. V. Sec. for the Gen. Conf.