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The Call to Service

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 20, 1914

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 91, No. 34.

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The Call to Service

By I. H. Evans

Our Saviour said, “My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.”
While the people of God are citizens of earthly governments, subject to the laws and regulations of earthly powers, they are also citizens of a kingdom not of this world. They belong to the government of Jehovah, they are citizens of the heavenly kingdom.
The last few days have shown how earthly powers demand able-bodied men to enter the service in defense of their country. No one can be excused. Every subject must answer his country’s call to duty. Property, both real and personal, is requisitioned by the governments, and not only the property but the lives of all subjects are held to belong to the state when they are needed to defend the nation’s honor or to maintain its integrity against the aggressions of a deadly foe.
Certainly less should not be required of the subjects of the kingdom of heaven. They have duties and obligations more binding than those of the subjects of earthly kingdoms. Their duty is to do the work committed to their charge. Said our great Commander, “Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, . . . and lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.”
The kingdom of God is a conquering kingdom. It is aggressive. It invades the territory of Satan, and besieges the hearts of the children of men. The warfare waged by Heaven is a war of conquest. Christ himself came into an enemy’s land to establish his kingdom. Before Pilate he proclaimed himself king.
Every loyal citizen of this heavenly kingdom is subject to service to extend its domain. The enemy’s territory must be invaded; the standard of Prince Immanuel must be planted in the hearts of men; subjects of Satan must be won to love the Lord Jesus and to believe in him to the saving of their souls.
God has given Christ, the Holy Spirit, and angels to minister to men. Now he calls every subject of his kingdom to service. Every believer is drafted; to every man is given his work. None can afford to be excused. This brief life is the only time during the eternal ages when we can labor for the salvation of men. Surely we do not want to be excused. Let us throw ourselves into the very front of the fight and win souls to Christ.
Our fall and winter campaign is planned for one purpose,—to win souls to Christ. This campaign begins October 1 and continues until spring, April 1. We greatly desire to see every man, woman, and child who is connected with the Lord and believes this truth enter into this missionary work with great zeal.
The first step to take is for each church member to have at least two copies of the weekly Signs of the Times for missionary work. These can be sold or given away as the member may choose. The Signs sells for five cents a copy. The cost of the paper for this period is sixty cents for one subscription for six months. Two copies will be $1.20 for the six months. The time to order is now, that everything may be in hand for work by October 1.
The second thing we wish to do is to distribute millions of pages of tracts. At the Loma Linda council last spring a committee was appointed to select the literature for distribution. Recently they recommended the following:—
That thirty-one tracts be placed in ten envelopes, the envelopes to be numbered consecutively from one to ten, making about 472 pages of tracts. The cost is as follows:—
1 set ........................$ .25 4 sets ......................... 1.00 25 sets ........................ 5.00
This gives 31 tracts on various topics, containing 472 pages, for 25 cents, and 11,800 pages for $5.
The envelope has on it printed matter telling the reader that these tracts are a loan, and that the visitor will call in about one week to take up the package and supply other reading matter if desired.
The tracts should be ordered at once. The judicious distribution of this literature is one means of spreading the knowledge of the third angel’s message. It is filled with the truths for this time, and will bring a message of salvation to those who read it. It is the armor, the weapon of warfare, which, together with the Word of God, we must use against all the defenses of sin.
Does it seem too high a goal for each church member to endeavor to take two subscriptions to the Signs of the Times and a twenty-five cent package of tracts? This will cost $1.45 for a six months’ campaign in behalf of souls.
Never were the times more ominous; the signs of the times point emphatically to the nearness of the end. Should not God’s people show as much zeal in extending his kingdom as do the subjects of earthly kingdoms?
Our campaign cry should be, “At least one soul for God.” Let us remember this great work in our daily prayers. I. H. EVANS.