We Need Your Cooperation by M. E.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 8, 1912

We Need Your Cooperation

By M. E.

MISSIONARY VOLUNTEER workers have always felt that successful young people's work requires the cooperation of parents, but I fear that this need has not been emphasized as much as it should have been. Wherever the workers for the youth and the parents keep in close touch and wisely supplement one another's efforts, we see cheering results.

Miss Graham, until recently the Missionary Volunteer secretary of the Australasian Union, in giving her annual report, says:— “At the beginning of the report this year I wish again to thank the parents and older church-members for their support and kindly cooperation in our young people’s work. In almost every part of Victoria and Tasmania we have had their hearty support, and I believe their prayers. About sixteen of the parents have written me at intervals to tell me how their children are getting along with their study or their work. They often tell about their perplexities, and ask advice concerning reading-matter, amusements, etc., suggesting that I write to the children about things wherein they feel they need help. Such information helps me to write more intelligently to them than I otherwise could.

“An elderly sister writes: ‘I am very thankful to say that Gertie is now trying to serve the Saviour. She looks forward to your missionary letters each month with great expectation. Thank you for the kind advice you give her. I am sure she is trying to do right. She sells three

or four Signs every week, and enjoys it.’”

The influences prevailing in our homes have more to do with the work for the youth than many of us realize. A generous giver was once asked how he happened to make so large a contribution to missions. He replied, “I did not happen to make it; I had a missionary mother.” A Christian mother who read many missionary stories to her children was rebuked by a friend who said: “Don’t you know that you’ll make missionaries of those children?” “That is why I read them the books,” was the mother’s reply. The gentleman who related this incident at the Rochester convention said also: “The majority of those who apply for appointment as missionaries testify to similar early training, and it is a well-known fact that practically all of the missionary leaders of the day were reared in a missionary atmosphere.”

Do you wish your children to become missionaries and bear their God-appointed responsibilities in this rapidly closing work? Are you creating a missionary atmosphere about them? Young people’s workers will be glad to correspond with you. They will be grateful for any suggestions you can give them, and will gladly study your problems with you. The youth and the children merit the best counsel our combined efforts under God can give. Then let us have full cooperation.

M. E.