p. 15 | The Call for Missionaries by M. E. KERN

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 15, 1910

The Call for Missionaries

By M. E. KERN

A Word From the Foreign Mission Seminary President as the School Year Opens

Two encouraging features of the effort now being made to secure and train foreign missionaries are the hearty approval of the plans by leading workers, and the willing response to the call for volunteers.

One worker, who has spent several years abroad, writes:—

The plan has appealed to me as a most practical and sensible one. No doubt had it been adopted before, much might have been saved to the cause in more ways than one.

Another missionary says:—

I believe the plans as outlined for the preparation of workers for the mission fields to be excellent; and as a result of them, the fields will be better supplied with workers who are qualified to meet and overcome the peculiar difficulties that await them.

From all parts of the country young people and workers of experience are volunteering for the service. The call of the multitudes who are stretching out their hands unto God has reached the ears of loyal hearts. One young person of considerable education and some years of experience writes:—

I was a member of the Foreign Mission Band at —— last year. When I first heard of the call for one hundred twenty workers this summer, I felt deeply impressed that I ought to offer myself; but I held back for some time, for it seemed that I could not go now. I thought I had a good excuse, but still the same impression was upon me to offer myself. I had a severe struggle over the matter, but at last the Lord conquered. I told him I would give up home and friends and my desire to finish my course at —— if he desired me to go. . . . I am sure I should enjoy the work at the Seminary, and I believe that it would be just the preparation that I need.

Still there is room. The work of securing these recruits is necessarily slow, as a thorough investigation must be made in each case. It seems best to the Foreign Mission Board that some remain in the home field for the present, and others are advised to secure more education in our regular schools.

There are three classes who can profitably take work in the Foreign Mission Seminary: (1) Those under appointment for foreign fields; (2) volunteers of mature age, who need more than one year's course of study, and who for a short course would not wish to change schools; (3) conference workers who are ambitious for improvement, and desire the benefit of studies in Bible, history, denominational organization and work, or other special branches of study offered by the Seminary.

There are quite a large number of the second class. Many individuals have good ability, and are consecrated to the work, who are lacking in systematic habits of thought and work. Earnest effort in the perusal of a two or three years' course of study, wisely selected, will give such persons an idea of system and method, as well as the information they need, which will enable them to secure definite results from their efforts among the people. This class should not expect provisional appointment. All, however, who contemplate taking work at the Seminary should make arrangements before coming. School begins September 14.

M. E. KERN, President.