Answering the Calls by W. A. S.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 27, 1908

Answering the Calls

By W. A. S.

A BROTHER who has deep interest in missions makes the following suggestion:—

Allow me to suggest that you devise some way of letting the REVIEW family know whether the many calls for help from the missions are answered, in part or in full. We read these stirring appeals, and do not know when they are answered. Could a tabulated showing be kept before us? For instance, in the REVIEW of Dec. 26, 1907, Brother F. W. Spies lays before us “A Needy Field in Brazil.” We would like to read of progress in answering such calls, or know that they are still appealing.

The record of the answering of the calls will be found from time to time on the last page of the REVIEW. The departure of every missionary is noted on the last page, with a statement of the field to which he is proceeding. To wait for these notes of departure may seem tedious to the reader who is anxious to see the fields supplied with help; but to the reader watching at home the time of waiting does not seem as long as to the worker in the mission fields who is looking for reinforcements. However, all the time the procession is moving toward the fields. For that we thank God.

For instance, in a few weeks we hope to announce the departure of at least one family for Brazil. Whether the first recruits for Brazil will answer this call which Brother Spies has sounded in behalf of the State of Bahia will depend upon the decision of the brethren in South America. From month to month the calls change, and the needs multiply. Decision as to these details must be left to the responsible committees in the fields.

One thing is sure, we ought to pray the Lord of the harvest to send forth laborers into these fields. Here is Brazil, for instance, one of whose needs is mentioned by the brother. It is a country as large as the United States, claiming twenty-two million people, with the statistics ever growing; and in all that wide land we have four ordained ministers engaged in the work, and but a little band of associates. Help has been voted, and not many weeks must pass until more than the worker and his wife already under appointment shall go forward. And Brazil is but one division of South America, and South America is only one of the great continents.

The General Conference Committee council held nearly a year ago at Gland, listed imperative, specific calls for fifty workers and their wives. The fifty-eight workers sent out last year answered some of these calls, though a large proportion went forward in response to demands made previous to the Gland council. The African missions must be reinforced. One family has recently landed, passage for another has been engaged, and it is hoped that still others will go forward at an early sailing date.

One family is just now about landing in Shanghai, the first answer to China’s call for ten families for specific points. Soon those who read the last page of the REVIEW, as all must do week by week, will see with glad eyes the notice that a party will soon be sailing for the most populous mission field. Others must follow on to this and other lands from which the calls continue to come.

Our missionaries in their reports by no means attempt to list the calls of need that meet them on every side. Did they do so, their reports would be one continual call. The special openings and the need of continual expansion and extension are kept before us week by week.

The few who go seem but a pitiful response; and yet, remembering that old-time question of the apostles, “What are these among so many?” we may remember with grateful hearts that the results are with the Lord when we have yielded to him all that he enables us to do. It is evident that every believer and every church and every home conference must stand squarely under the burden of carrying the message through these vast unworked fields. This is the work our people are laying hold of with courage. Watch for the departure notes on the last page, and pray for reapers for the harvest.

W. A. S.