An Important Week by M. E. KERN

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 26, 1915

An Important Week

By M. E. KERN

“The world makes way for the man that knows.” We admire the clerk who knows his business, who can tell us all about the goods he has for sale, and can answer our questions. Such mastery of details, coupled with frankness and honesty, is a great business asset.

The speaker who is master of his subject attracts us at once. We say, “Here is a man who knows, one who can give us facts.” And involuntarily we accept his theories, because we feel that a man of such knowledge must have a solid foundation for his theories.

On the other hand, we despise a bungler, one who hesitates and is inaccurate in statements about matters he is supposed to understand. We cannot respect a bungling workman.

Our young people have a great work to do. In his love the Lord has called even the children and youth to have a part in his work. “The Lord has appointed the youth to be his helping hand.”—“Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. VII, page 64.

But the Lord expects us to show our appreciation of this great privilege by thorough preparation for this sacred work. To Timothy, Paul wrote, “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed.” 2 Tim. 2:15. Again it is written, “Cursed be he that doeth the work of the Lord negligently.” Jer. 48:10, margin.

Thus our privilege and our duty is plain. The way is also clear. Every Missionary Volunteer is asked to become a member of Attainment. How can this be done?—By passing the Standard of Attainment examinations. Twice each year test questions on Bible doctrines and denominational history are prepared by the General Conference Missionary Volunteer Department and sent out on request. Those who have prepared to take either of these tests should notify their church elder at once. He will make request of the conference Missionary Volunteer secretary for the questions, and see that the examination is properly conducted.

The time when this examination should be taken is during the first week of September. This is an important week for our Missionary Volunteers.

Who will show that they have really consecrated themselves to the Lord by thus preparing themselves for the work to which he calls? Every one who is a Christian should be prepared to give a reason for his hope, with meekness and fear.

Note prayerfully the following statements from Mrs. E. G. White:—

“Our only safeguard against the wiles of Satan is to study the Scriptures diligently, to have an intelligent understanding of the reasons of our faith, and faithfully to perform every known duty.”—Review and Herald, Nov. 19, 1908.

“We have nothing to fear for the future, except as we shall forget the way the Lord has led us, and his teaching in our past history.”—General Conference Bulletin, Vol. V, No. 2, page 24.

M. E. KERN.