Publishing Department by Mrs. M. H. Crothers

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Jul 16, 1914

Publishing Department

By Mrs. M. H. Crothers

N. Z. TOWN General Secretary

W. W. EASTMAN N. Am. Div. Secretary

Missionary Work the Life of the Church

It is a fixed law of the physical world that health, strength, growth, and development are the results of activity, enterprise, and exercise; and that deterioration, weakness, and decay are sure to follow in the wake of inaction, indolence, and lack of purpose. Under normal conditions those muscles of the body which are daily used become vigorous, and perform their functions naturally and normally, while those that lie unused and dormant become weak, sluggish, and inefficient.

The same law also operates in the spiritual world. Those who fail to study the Scriptures earnestly, and practice their principles and truths, can never become strong Christians, and the same is true of those who neglect prayer and devotion. The faith of such will be weak, flickering, and vacillating. They will have little or no interest in the work of God, and they will nowhere be a factor for good. In order to become strong in the faith, and useful in the cause of Christ, we must study the Word, practice its principles and precepts, avail ourselves of every means of grace, and keep every faculty in active exercise; and there is no other way to do this, and to improve and increase our talents and develop spiritual strength, than to engage, to the extent of our ability, in active, earnest work for the salvation of others. This is true of both the individual and the church. The latter, like the former, will fall into spiritual decline as soon as it ceases its efforts to warn sinners of their danger and to persuade them to flee from the wrath to come. Indeed, the effort thus to help those around it, or “home missionary work,” is the “life of the church.”

From the spirit of prophecy I read: “Well-organized work must be done in the church, that its members may understand how to impart the light to others, and thus strengthen their own faith and increase their knowledge. As they impart that which they have received from God, they will be confirmed in the faith. A working church is a living church.”—“Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. VI, page 435.

These statements are true. The only way to strengthen faith is to exercise it. The only way to gain knowledge is to study; and the only way to increase and retain it is to use and impart it. The only way to increase talent is by investing it. The only way to become skillful and experienced and successful in laboring for souls is to labor for that object earnestly and untiringly. And the only way for either an individual or the church to develop and maintain a living interest in the truth and the work of God, is to take a lively part in its propagation. In things spiritual, as well as in things physical, activity is essential to health, strength, and growth. And cessation of spiritual activity in a church is sure to result in spiritual decline and spiritual weakness, and, if the disease is not quickly arrested, in the spiritual death of its members.

“The Result of Inaction”

“God has given his ministers the message of truth to proclaim. This the churches are to receive, and in every possible way to communicate, catching the first rays of light and diffusing them. Here is our great sin. We are years behind. The ministers have been seeking the hidden treasure, and have been opening up the casket and letting the jewels of truth shine forth; but the members of the church have not done a hundredth part of that which God requires of them. What can we expect but deterioration in religious life, when the people listen to sermon after sermon, and do not put the instruction into practice? The ability God has given, if not exercised, degenerates.”—Id., page 425.

Instruct the Church in Missionary Work

“‘Watchman, what of the night?’” Isa. 21:11. Are the watchmen of whom this demand is made, able to give the trumpet a certain sound? Are the shepherds faithfully caring for the flock as those who must give an account? Are the ministers of God watching for souls, realizing that those under their care are the purchase of the blood of Christ? A great work is to be done in the world, and what efforts are we making for its accomplishment? The people have had much sermonizing; but have they been taught how to labor for those for whom Christ died? Has a line of labor been devised and placed before them in such a way that each has seen the necessity of taking part in the work?”

“It is evident that all the sermons that have been preached have not developed a large class of self-denying workers. This subject is to be considered as involving the most serious results. Our future for eternity is at stake. The churches are withering up because they have failed to use their talents in diffusing light. Careful instruction should be given which will be as lessons from the Master, that all may put their light to practical use. Those who have the oversight of the churches should select members of ability, and place them under responsibilities, at the same time giving them instruction as to how they may best serve and bless others.”—Id., page 431.

“Just as soon as a church is organized, let the ministers set the members at work. They will need to be taught how to labor successfully. Let the minister devote more of his time to educating than to preaching. Let him teach the people how to give to others the knowledge they have received.”—Id., Vol. VII, page 20.

“Let the overseers of the church devise plans whereby young men and women may be trained to put to use their intrusted talents. Let the older members of the church seek to do earnest, compassionate work for the children and the youth.”—Id., Vol. VI, page 435.

In Vol. IX, page 117, we find this statement: “The work of God in this earth can never be finished until the men and women comprising our church membership rally to the work, and unite their efforts with those of ministers and church officers.”

And when we stop to consider this, it is so strong a statement that it almost startles us. It lays the large part of the responsibility of finishing the work upon the lay members, and puts the responsibility for delaying its finishing upon them.

But the responsibility of teaching them how, and setting them to work, rests upon the ministers and general workers. This being true, will they not take up the duty the Lord has laid upon them, and strive more urgently and diligently to train the rank and file of the Lord’s army and get them into action? United, persevering efforts to this end will do much, we believe, toward accomplishing the desired results and infusing new life and energy into our churches.

Mrs. M. H. CROTHERS.