Who Is a Missionary? by F. M. W.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 28, 1915

Who Is a Missionary?

By F. M. W.

By general usage the term “missionary” is restricted in its meaning. The one who goes on a mission to the heathen, or who distributes tracts and Bibles to the poor and outcast, is considered as alone worthy of such a designation. This is but a narrow conception of the full significance of the word. Take the Bible record of Christ’s work, which might properly be considered as presenting the best definition of missionary effort, and it is the one who does good to others that is entitled to this name. Acts 10 : 38.

With this view of the subject, how it broadens the idea of missionary labor! Then not alone he who goes to earth’s remotest bounds to carry the gospel to pagans and cannibals is worthy of the name, but he who, wherever he may be, does good to his fellow men, is a missionary. He may not be able to preach, he may not possess wealth to give away, but in every act of doing good, he is doing missionary work. It may be but a cheering smile, a hearty handshake, or a hasty “God bless you” at parting. The service may be only a neighborly act of kindness, the gift of a loaf of bread, or the rendering of aid in sickness; yet if the motive be grounded in love, and the good of man and the glory of God be sought, the act, however small, will not go unnoticed by the Great Teacher. “And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.” Matt. 10 : 42.

Weary mother, there is comfort in this thought for you. How often have you inquired, What can I do for God and humanity? You need not go to India or Africa to become a missionary. In the performance of little deeds of kindness, you can attest your love for God and for your fellows. How often you speak a word to one who is weary, and sad, and heartsick! How often you minister to a sick neighbor, lovingly reprove a wayward child, and by your cheerful smile lighten your own load of care and anxiety, as well as make more happy all with whom you come in contact. Your efforts also in behalf of your own loved ones, the members of your own family, should by no means be lightly regarded. You have a work which none others can do, and the value and importance of which you yourself cannot estimate till future years bring the glad fruition of your labors. It may be your companion knows not God. How great your responsibility to live God’s character before him! Your consistent life and devotion, your charitableness and patience under severe trial, your consistent Christian demeanor at all times and under all circumstances, will have more to do in winning him to Jesus than all the sermons to which he may listen.

What a responsibility also rests upon you to train your children for God, molding their young minds after the similitude of the divine, and directing their young and inexperienced feet in the paths of righteousness. But few mothers, comparatively, sense the solemn importance attached to their influence in their own household.

With the limited view of the work of the missionary so commonly held, some feel constrained to neglect their families, or consign them to the care of inexperienced hands, while they enter upon some public missionary work, feeling that in so doing they are proving themselves martyrs as well as missionary laborers. With this spirit we have but little sympathy. The first work of the mother is for her children. In her own home she has a field for missionary operations, the importance of which no other labor can transcend.

We do not say that women of families should never engage in public work. They should not devote their time to such work to the neglect of their own families. Our sisters should do all the outside missionary work possible,—far more than they do today,—but they should sense the fact that, in these evil times for the young, their duty in bringing up their own children in the fear of God is paramount to every other work which might enlist their interest. The children themselves may be enlisted in the missionary cause by a little tact and planning on the part of the earnest parent.

The need today is the manifestation of the true missionary spirit, in its fullest measure, in the home, in the church, and among all men. He who gives his life in its entirety, as Christ gave his, to bless and save others, is a missionary in the truest and broadest signification of the term. F. M. W.