WANTED, MEN AND WOMEN

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Dec 16, 1880

WANTED, MEN AND WOMEN.

We take up the papers daily, and casting our glances down the long columns, we see many persons asked for after the word "Wanted." Cooks and chambermaids, coachmen and butlers, clerks and porters, are needed here, and there, and everywhere.

And yet the greatest want of this nineteenth century we do not see advertised, and if we did, I think all that could conscientiously apply would find room for employment and still there would be acres—at least—of unoccupied space.

Men wanted. Men who are honest and pure. Men who are wholesome and truthful. Men who will not be bribed. Men who are like fair, refreshing fruit, sound to the heart's core.

Men wanted. Men who are unwilling to eat the bread of idleness. Men who will scorn to wear what they have not honestly paid for. Men who know what ought to be done and will do it. Men who are not egotistic, but rather have the courage given by the Spirit to do and to dare. Men who will give good counsel, who will set a good example for emulation, who will sympathize with the grieving, and succor the distressed. Men who will scorn to do a base thing even in their zeal for a friend, for, as Jeremy Taylor says, he that does "burns the golden thread that ties their hearts to gather." Men who know how to obey before they undertake to command. Men who do more than they talk. Men who do good to their friends to keep them, to their enemies to gain them. Men whose hearts compare favorably with full pocket-books—who believe in systematic giving, and advocate it. Men whose hearts are moved by the sadness of others, who are touched by a little hungry face, and cold bare feet.

Men wanted. Men who are brave and tender, who are not ashamed to wipe tears away. Men whose acts will bring smiles to wan faces. Men who hush lamentations and are rewarded with sweet songs of thanksgiving.

Women wanted. Women who know their own business better than their neighbors'. Women who are true and pure from centre to circumference. Women who will not weary in well-doing, who will neither flag nor flinch. Women who will not take the rear from choice. Women who know their mission and do not persue the will-o'-the-wisp. Women who will daily do loving service, gentle little kindnesses—and do them unostentatiously. Women who will see that bare pantries are supplied, and that the shelterless find homes.

Women wanted. Women who will not drift with the tide, but will courageously stem the current, trusting to the Omnipotent arm to support. Women who live to please God, not people. Women with noble, generous souls wanted whose hearts will utter "God speed," as workers grow faint and hands grow weary. Women who will not allow their noble impulses to be crushed by the hand of society. Women who will be the stepping-stones to lift people up—not stumbling-blocks to hinder and trip them down. Women who listen to the still, small voice, and heed its monitions. Women with clear brains and ready hands and willing hearts, who know their "life work," and are doing it answervingly.

Women wanted. Women who know how much power there is in a gentle, encouraging word, how much force there is in a hopeful prophecy. Women who will sow their loving acts broadcast, believing that kind words never die. Women who extend a helping hand all along life's pathway. Women with clear understanding, quick perception, and good judgment. Women of patience, who do not explode at the slightest friction. Women of forethought (yes, and afterthought), of discrimination, and great generosity. Women who will keep their eyes fixed upon the loving Master and will not listen to the murmuring crowd. Women who will brave the scorn of this world to be crowned of God.

Men and women wanted. Men and women who, for the sake of mankind and the glory of the Father's name, will never forget to look up—ever up—as the Great Shepherd leads them onward, upward, toward the heavenly fold—the land of eternal day.—Earnest Gilmore, in Christian Weekly.