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Does It Pay?

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 17, 1908

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 85, No. 38.

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Does It Pay?

By W. C. White

Is it worth while to give so much to missionary work? Are the results proportionate to the sacrifice? And why should there be a special offering made each year for the support of the work among the colored people in the Southern States?
The full answer to these questions will be found by the careful reader of the REVIEW, in the reports from the men laboring in these mission fields. My heart has been thrilled with gratitude and praise as I have read from week to week the record of God's marvelous work through humble men who have given their lives to the teaching of the gospel in the dark places of the earth.
Regarding the amount of our giving, let us ask ourselves two questions: Have we given as much during the last year to the work in foreign and neglected fields as to the work in the more favored home fields? Have we spent more on foreign and neglected mission fields than we have used in unnecessary expenditures for ourselves? To both of these questions the answer of many must be, No.
What we have given looks pitifully small when compared with the results sought for and attained by the workers in the field.
Some of the reasons why we should make a special effort in behalf of the colored people are very apparent when we study their condition and their need. Millions are in the depths of distress resulting from poverty and ignorance. Practical education and the religion of Jesus Christ are what they need to enable them to better their condition. Shall we help them to learn to read the Bible, and to find the Way, the Truth and the Life?
The Scripture says: “If thou forbearto deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain; if thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not He that pondereth the heart consider it? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth he not know it? and shall not he render to every man according to his work?”
Are there not manifold reasons why we whose necessities and wants have been so abundantly supplied by our Heavenly Father, should search out the necessities of those less favored, and minister to their needs?
Job said of his experience in this matter: “I was eyes to the blind, and feet was I to the lame. I was a father to the poor: and the cause which I knew not I searched out.” “The blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon me: and I caused the widow's heart to sing for joy.”
The success of our work among the colored people should give us courage. And recent events call upon us to hasten the work. W. C. WHITE.