p. 10 | Old Men for the Mission Fields by E. H. WILBUR

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 23, 1908

Old Men for the Mission Fields

By E. H. WILBUR

E. H. WILBUR

In these days of marvelous missionary activity there are constantly increasing calls for “young men for the mission fields.” This is as it should be. Strong young workers are needed for the difficult fields abroad. There should be a vast army of young people preparing to take up this work. Nevertheless we should not fall into the error of supposing that old men are not wanted in the mission fields. If you were to ask what the writer considers one of the most pressing needs in these distant fields to-day, he would be compelled to answer, We need more men of ripe years and experience to act as counselors. We need fathers for the Israel that is coming up in these new fields. We need a few men who have seen this message rise from comparative obscurity; men who have passed over this road and know something about the pitfalls; men who are prepared to give expert testimony. Here is a simple illustration: In every important seaport there are authorized pilots, men who are thoroughly familiar with the harbor. Ships arriving for the first time, and many others, although they have a captain who is thoroughly competent, must yet take on a pilot to insure the safe arrival of the ship into port.

In China, Japan, India, Africa, Australia, and the islands of the sea there are hundreds of young workers who have had little or no experience in connection with older laborers in Western lands. It is of the utmost importance that in each field there should be associated with these young people, a few old men of experience. “But,” you say, “they are too old to learn the language.” This may be so. At all events, some of them could be located in the principal seaports, where they could act as “pilots” to the thousands of English-speaking people who are there waiting for some one to guide them into the truth. They would also be accessible as counselors to the missionaries located inland.

The story of King Rehoboam is familiar to all. He refused the counsel of the old men, listening instead to his young advisers. We all know the disastrous result. Instead of ruling over all Israel as did Solomon, his father, only two tribes would submit to his arbitrary rule.

We have reason to praise God for the old men who have remained loyal to this message through all these years. If opportunity should be offered for some of them to go to new fields, I am sure it would put fresh life and joy and courage into their own hearts, as well as into the hearts of their younger brethren in the lands to which they go.

Brother A. La Rue was about sixty-five years old when he came as a missionary to Hongkong. The Lord gave him about fifteen years of active service there, and during this time he sold thousands of books and papers containing precious truth. These books have gone to almost every land, and are still living messengers. During the last three months of his life, after he was over eighty years of age, Brother La Rue sold eighteen of our large books. Surely the Lord has other faithful servants, who, though counted as old men, have a faith that is still strong and vigorous. May God bless these dear brethren.

Kongmoon, via Hongkong, China.