J. S. JAMES by J. S. JAMES

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 4, 1915

J. S. JAMES

By J. S. JAMES

Furlough Reflections— No. 3

J. S. JAMES

“It has got so I hear nothing but ‘give,’ ‘give,’ ‘money,’ ‘money,’ until I feel like not giving another cent to missions as long as I live.” Such were the words spoken by a man of some means and a reputation for piety, at the close of a missionary lecture. Fortunately such statements are exceedingly rare.

I recovered from my surprise, and began to reflect something as follows: G-i-v-e is only another way of spelling G-o-s-p-e-l. The great heart of God so loved a wretched, unmeriting world, that he joyfully gave his only Son that we might have life and happiness both here and hereafter. He lifted us out of the ruin and degradation of our lost condition, and washed away our guilt and stain by his own lifeblood. Into our rebellious hearts of unbelief, darkened by misery and despair, he caused the light of his love to shine, which melted and subdued its stony likeness, and imparted to us the assurance that we are members of a heavenly family — sons of God.

Why did he do all this? Was it that we might become self-centered and self-satisfied, narrow and grasping, hiding away in the earth the treasures imparted to us, leaving the great world forever impoverished and ourselves forever in debt to its cry for help? — No, no! All that we have and enjoy of spiritual and temporal blessings has been given us in trust to be passed on to others. We must reflect the spirit of the Master, who came as a gift, who freely gave himself, and who now is willing to give us all things through the Holy Spirit. Is it too much to say that the measure of spiritual life, whether it be in an individual, a company, a church, a conference, or a union conference, is in proportion to the giving, done in faith, to the great missionary cause? This is not saying that we can acquire spirituality by our gifts any more than we can purchase God’s forgiveness with money; but it surely is true that our spiritual riches set a true gauge to our giving.

It has been well said by one: “The cause of foreign missions goes down to the roots of the spiritual life, and we need look for no abundant giving until that life is enriched. In far-off Persia, a few years ago, lay dying that godly missionary, Henry Martyn, stricken with a fatal fever. While in this state he received a letter asking how the church at home could be stirred to greater missionary activity, to which he replied, ‘Tell them to live more with Christ, to catch more of his spirit; for the spirit of Christ is the spirit of missions, and the nearer we get to him the more intensely missionary we must become.’”

Indeed we must give, and keep on giving with increasing frequency and liberality. There is no alternative for the individual who wishes to remain loyal to God and the work for this generation. This is a rapidly growing message, and the demands for means and laborers will increase as the message is extended. Says the prophet, “Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations: spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes; for thou shalt break forth on the right hand and on the left; and thy seed shall inherit the Gentiles, and make the desolate cities to be inhabited.”

When once an army is put in the field against an enemy, it must be maintained from the home base of supplies or go down in defeat. The value of the enormous expense incurred in recruiting and equipping its forces is to be saved only by keeping its ranks reenforced, well officered, and properly furnished for an aggressive campaign. Not only must the loss of dead and wounded be made up, but advanced positions must be taken and held, often at great cost. How can the cost of warfare be figured all on one side as is so often the case? Those who enlist have also invested no small price in the issue. They have left homes of comfort and love, positions of profit and honor, an environment of safety and peace, and an enlightened and educated society, for the cruel barbarism of bloody carnage and death. The missionary advances into a strange land among benighted and uncivilized peoples, surrounded on every hand with disease and death, subject to dangerous climates, wild beasts, and reptiles, often shut away from all social intercourse with those of a kindred race, and many times suffering for want of proper food and home comforts. These are items not to be omitted in figuring the cost of foreign mission warfare — items almost too sacred to be placed alongside a table of cold, unsympathetic figures.

We have been forty years in raising an army of missionaries which now girdles the earth. The task has required infinite toil, sacrifice, and hardship. Thousands of brave hearts have responded to the trumpet call to service. Some have been stricken down at their post, and others have been rendered unfit for foreign service by disease and advancing years, but the battle front continues to extend, and the shout of victory comes from all lands. This is not the time to cry, “Enough of giving.” As well might one cry, “Enough of breathing;” for to close our ears and

harden our hearts in this, the greatest hour of need in the history of the world, would be to write ‘Ichabod’ across the face of this entire movement. We must enlarge our gifts, lengthen our cords, and strengthen our stakes. We must stand ready to give all that we have in sons and daughters, money and lands, energy and talents, until all has been consumed on the altar of service. When we as a people have done this, there will come an end of giving, for the work will be finished, and we can enter the joy of our reward together.

Port Said, Egypt.