Suggestions for Service
By S. N. CURTISS
“For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work.” Mark 13:34. In God’s plan for the salvation of mankind, every one of “his servants” has some part to act. All mankind are called to do service for him, but not all recognize his claims. To his servants, therefore, as illustrated in the parable of the talents, he commits “his goods,” and these represent something to be put into use for him. Through the gifts of the Holy Spirit, even the poorest and most ignorant, will possess the highest power in the universe. Besides the gifts of the Holy Spirit, our talents include every gift and endowment, original or acquired, natural or spiritual—all these are talents, and for the use we make of them we must give an account to God. As we become his and surrender all these to him, he returns them to us “purified and ennobled,” that they may be used in “blessing our fellow men.” One of the various kinds of missionary effort through which the Lord is endeavoring to reach mankind with the gospel of the kingdom, and by means of which he wishes to utilize every talent entrusted to his followers, is the circulation of publications. This work ranks with that of the gospel ministry, and by means of it many who would not otherwise be reached are led to the study of the Scriptures. To a large extent, the old-time zeal in sending out missionary papers by mail to lists of names, and following this up by personal letters, has died out. But this was a good work, and can still be carried on with most excellent results. This work can be done by those who can not leave home. Some can take clubs of papers and successfully sell them on the streets, as well as in business houses and residences. This is being done in many of our large cities. Still others can afford to take clubs of papers to loan and give away, and to use for hospital and prison work. Workers of experience are successful in taking regular yearly subscriptions for our periodicals. One brother has taken many such orders in so difficult a place as New York City. A very important and effective work can be done by bringing to the attention of all classes the magazine Life and Health, which instructs in the true principles of healthful living. Such is the wonderful wealth of our small literature that in it can be found a tract on some topic which will awaken interest in almost any one who cares for his soul’s salvation. The use of these by enclosing in letters, by loaning singly or in packages, by distributing in hospitals and prisons, and by means of racks in public places, is a most important way to sow the seeds of truth “by all waters.” Our pamphlets and small books are valuable to loan and to sell to interested persons, and they cover a wide range of subjects. Our large books have done a wonderful work in preparing the way for the “loud cry,” and to-day there is a call for one hundred to enlist where now there is one. Some serious problems are presented in this work in our large cities, but nothing is too hard for our God, and we believe much more will surely be accomplished by this means before the work is finished and the world warned. The giants of sin and the walled cities of difficulty call for “prevailers with God,” through whose faith the walls will be thrown down and victory come to the Gideon band. The work which has been done with “Object Lessons” ought to have opened the way for thousands of our other publications to go into the same families. Our canvassers say it is not at all difficult to sell our large books to those who have read this book. In some conferences, a record has been kept of the name and address of every person to whom a copy of “Object Lessons” has been sold. These persons are followed up by correspondence and by personal visits, with most encouraging results. The circulation of our literature opens the way for Bible and cottage meetings. Some carry on Bible readings by mail, and the importance of this work which directs people’s minds to the Word of God, can not be overestimated. Many have ability for this work who do not realize it, and who fail to attempt it because they have not had the experience of others. “He went about doing good” is the record of the model Missionary, and the first verse of Acts speaks of what Jesus “began both to do and teach.” First he did his Father’s will, then he taught the way of salvation. So we often teach by doing, and in this work of soul saving the life is one of the most powerful influences. His life in us should be “the light of men.” As we study his life, we find that Christ was never too weary to help the needy, the distressed, or the sick, and a deaf ear was never turned to their cry for help. The whole world is one great hospital filled with the sick in mind, body, and soul. How all this sin and suffering must appeal to the great heart of Infinite Love! and how it should appeal to us! To God’s people has been entrusted a most wonderful system of truth. The Lord intends that they shall be a living embodiment of these principles, so that he need not put upon them any of the diseases of Egypt, and that they may be able properly to instruct others how to live for this life and for the life to come. These common-sense principles will appeal to the millionaire and the pauper, to the professor and the peasant, for each and all are victims of disease, and suffer as a result of wrong habits of life. Their confidence thus secured through bodily healing, think you they will not then listen with interest to the message of healing for the soul? Do not imagine that a medical education or a diploma is necessary before any of this work can be entered upon. First study and learn, then practise and teach the principles, and you will find there is work for you to do with your nearest neighbor. “What is your life?” says the apostle James. This should be a serious question for us to consider when we say that Christ is to come “in this generation.” Do we believe it? Are we preparing for it? Do all our business relations and dealings and our associations show our belief? Or do we in act say, “My Lord delayeth his coming”? The influence for good of a soul truly converted to God, and who actually lives up to all his light, is a power that can not be gainsaid or resisted, and this is a most important element in true missionary work.