p. 18 | Shall We Win? by M. E. K.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 19, 1914

Shall We Win?

By M. E. K.

ONE of our Missionary Volunteer secretaries wrote: “We have a great Captain that has never lost a battle, to whisper words of encouragement in our ears; and if we pass the word on to others, I feel sure we shall reach the 1914 goal.”

The purpose of this article is to “pass the word on” to church elders, society leaders, parents, and to all our young people, that we are now on the home stretch, and that our Captain surely desires us to win.

What is the Missionary Volunteer goal for 1914? Lest some have forgotten, I will give it here:—

1,500 young people added to the church and to our Missionary Volunteer organization.
500 new members of Attainment.
1,000 Reading Course certificates.

4. $25,000 for missions from our Missionary Volunteer Societies.

We are very happy to report that item 2 has already been passed, and that item 3 has been nearly doubled. We do not yet know just how items 1 and 4 stand, but we fear that we are falling behind. The success of our efforts to reach the goal depends on these items.

With ten or twelve thousand unconverted children and youth in the North American Division alone, is it not very important that a special effort be made for their salvation? Our young people are in the world, surrounded by worldly influences, and there is a tremendous tendency for them to leave the truth. At the same time, they believe the gospel message, and know in their hearts, as they see the things that are coming on the earth, that the Lord’s coming is near. But this belief and knowledge will not save them. Their lives must be surrendered to God. And how important that wise, earnest efforts be made in their behalf! During this present year, we had hoped to bring at least 1,500 of these dear souls into the fold of Christ. Is that too much to expect?—No; and it will be realized if all our conference, church, and society officers will give themselves to fervent prayer and earnest work during the remaining days of the old year. “We can do it if we will.”

Surely there ought not to be any question about reaching our financial goal. The pitiable situation in which some of our missionaries are placed ought to appeal to our hearts to sacrifice and make special gifts. We have not yet been able to establish any line of communication with some of them. Letters sent have been returned. What their situation is we cannot tell. Surely we must have money at hand to send relief to all just as fast as the way is opened.

The young people of America must not fail to reach this their first general financial goal, and especially in a time like this. Yet we know that some conferences, and indeed some whole unions, are behind on their share.

The young people who are working with the Harvest Ingathering may turn that money in through the society and have it apply on the Missionary Volunteer goal. Then we have the annual offering to missions to be made December 19.

Only a short while and the record of 1914 will be complete. We believe that Jesus our Lord is desirous that the young people of America shall accomplish, through prayer, personal work, and self-sacrifice, all that our faith one year ago led us to set down as our goal. We believe that the angels of God who are sent to minister to the members of the church militant are watching with deep interest the spirit of the Adventist youth and their leaders. And there will be joy in heaven when the goal is reached.

Shall we win?—Yes, if the leaders take the lead. We can do it if we will.

M. E. K.