The Missionary Volunteer Programs for 1915 by M. E. K.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 17, 1914

The Missionary Volunteer Programs for 1915

By M. E. K.

“Our only safeguard against the wiles of Satan is to study the Scriptures diligently, to have an intelligent understanding of the reasons of our faith, and faithfully to perform every known duty.” — Mrs. E. G. White, in Review and Herald, Nov. 19, 1908. Considering this fact, and the accumulating evidences of the nearness of the end (and in harmony with requests from all parts of the field), it has been decided to offer a series of studies in Bible doctrines for our Missionary Volunteer programs for 1915.

These studies are of great importance at this time. The preparedness of the warring nations depends on well-trained men, big guns, and the morale of the army. Our own preparedness for the spiritual warfare depends on strength of soul, powerful spiritual weapons, and assurance of victory. And all these come from the study of the Bible. It has been truly said that “no life can come to its best into which there has not been built mighty convictions, mighty decisions, and the inspiration of great ideals and hopes.” And these we know come from the Bible.

We have a great work to do. The Bible is our message, our inspiration, and our guide. “Every one who really knows the Bible is a crusader,” fighting against the things that spoil human life and unfit men for heaven. How important then, from every standpoint, that our young people know the great outlines of truth. The lessons, which will appear in the Church Officers’ Gazette, will be somewhat different from previous lessons, and are designed to form the basis for talks on studies.

Again we read: “We have nothing to fear for the future, except as we shall forget the way the Lord has led us, and his teaching in our past history.”—General Conference Bulletin, Vol. V, No. 2, page 24. Another part of our programs this year will be a study of our missionary history, beginning in 1874. A brief sketch of the work of Seventh-day Adventists in every missionary country, and the forces now on the field, will be given. A series of outline wall maps of mission countries is being prepared to be used by the societies in studying the mission fields. The young people will indicate boundaries of mission territory, and will place stars on the maps representing all mission stations. In the Gazette we shall furnish notes and incidents showing the providences of God in our missionary advance.

Nothing, except it be study of the Bible, is more important or more interesting than a study like this.

Lord Salisbury once advised men to study large maps and not confine their attention to small localities. Of all people, this injunction is important to us who are to carry a message from God to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people. We need large vision. We must think in large terms. We must “attempt great things for God, and expect great things from God.” If our young people are to have a part in the work and triumph of the church, they must burn with zeal for the missionary cause. And “missionary facts are the fuel which feed the missionary fires.”

In all our Missionary Volunteer work we are very dependent on the coöperation of parents and church officers. If they understand the plans which are in operation for the salvation and training of the youth and give them their hearty support, that gives the young people courage and confidence. In this matter we solicit the help of all our people in getting all our societies to take up these studies, and in encouraging those who take part in the programs to give talks where talks are called for. Nothing will kill the interest in a program quicker than to have all the parts read. When a reading is presented, it should be so thoroughly studied that it can be presented without the slightest hesitation and with proper emphasis. M. E. K.