The Fishing Season

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D.C. · Jun 22, 1905

The Fishing Season

THERE is something suggestive in the fact that some of the apostles' were fishermen. There is much meaning in the words with which Jesus summoned them to their new line of work: “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” There was instruction as well as encouragement in the promise made to these fishers after they had taken the wonderful draught of fishes: “Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.” By many persons fishing is regarded as a most attractive sport, and many are the hours which they spend with rod and line. The fishing season is now on, and time and money will be freely spent in order to catch fish. But to catch men is certainly a higher grade of employment than to catch fish, and every disciple of Jesus is permitted to be a fisher of men. The season is now open for this work, and in many countries of the world there are faithful fishers who are seeking those whose hearts are open to receive the truth. Let all such remember the words of the Master: “Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find.” “Jesus had a purpose in bidding them cast their net on the right side of the ship. On that side he stood upon the shore. That was the side of faith. If they labored in connection with him, his divine power combining with their human effort, they could not fail of success.” Successful fishers of men do not simply let down the net, but they actually catch men. We hope this fishing season may be a most successful one. “Behold, I will send for many fishers, saith the Lord, and they shall fish them.”