p. 524 | TWO MISSIONARIES by Youth's Companion

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Nov 24, 1881

TWO MISSIONARIES.

By Youth's Companion

A FEW years ago, two sisters—the daughters of a clergyman—left school at the same time. Both were religious girls, and both, when their school training was over, were eager to devote themselves in a marked way to their Master's service.

The elder whom we shall call Mary, avowed her determination to become a foreign missionary, and chose India as the place where she wished to work.

It was not easy for her to carry out her determination. The Mission Board of the church to which she belonged, objected to sending out unmarried women as missionaries, and was, besides, short of funds. But she would be content with no other work than foreign missionary work, and with no other field than Hindoostan.

Two years went by before she succeeded in her purpose. Most of that time she passed in keeping up a voluminous correspondence on the subject, the delay making her nervous, restless, and, if the truth must be told in plain words, irritable and peevish.

When she received her appointment, two months were spent in preparing her outfit. The third year was nearly over before she reached the station on the Hoogley to which she was sent. Two more years were consumed in studying Hindoostanee, at the end of which time she married a young missionary, and his health failing, was soon afterward sent home by the Mission Board.

Hester, the younger daughter, not having the eager zeal of her sister, attracted little notice and commendation. On returning home from school, she made herself mistress of the household affairs, and soon relieved her mother of that burden. She gathered the children of the washerwoman, and of two or three other poor families, whose clothes were too ragged for them to go to Sunday-school, into the washerwoman's kitchen twice a week, read them the Scriptures, and taught them to sew, read, and write.

The little class enlarged into an Industrial School, still held in the alley. She visited the children's homes, formed a sewing class for their mothers, used her influence with wealthy friends to obtain work for their fathers, and collected funds to open a reading-room which did much to keep these poor men out of drinking shops at night.

No one ever heard of Hester C—— as a missionary, and she never left her father's house, but into hundreds of wretched, saddened lives, her benignant Christian influence has extended to heal and bless in this life, as well as in the life to come.

It would certainly be prudent for all who in youth are prompted by noble zeal for the mission cause, to consult, first their own fitness, and, second, some one whose experience would be of value.

Far be it from us to discourage the noble work of foreign missions. But we would warn enthusiastic young followers of Christ not to mistake for missionary zeal a longing for romantic adventure. If they sincerely desire to serve their Master, they will be as willing to do it in the back alley, as on the shores of the Hoogley or the Nile.—Youth's Companion.