The Monthly Missionary Service
By W. A. S.
THE Mission Board is just sending out the program for the missionary service of August 12. The news from the mission fields; in this program of readings is very striking, and will be of general interest. At the recent General Conference it was heartily agreed by all that this second Sabbath missionary service ought to be emphasized, and adopted among all the churches, so that nothing may be allowed to crowd it out. The latest and most striking items from the fields are presented in these monthly readings. The General Conference passed the following resolution concerning the plan and the need of taking every step to keep our forward move in missions before the people systematically:— Whereas, There has been committed to this people the threefold message of Revelation 14, to be carried to all the world, and that in this generation; and,— Whereas, The weekly and annual offerings have been largely depended upon for the furtherance of this work; and,— Whereas, It has seemed necessary to our Mission Board to cut down the appropriations made for the present year about twenty-two thousand dollars, which can only result in discouragement to many in our needy mission fields, we therefore recommend the following:— (a) That the second Sabbath in each month be set apart by all our people everywhere, as “missionary day,” for the special consideration of our missions. (b) That the General Conference Committee appoint a committee to prepare readings for each missionary day, with a program and suitable songs for the occasion; that the readings be so divided that where convenient two or three can take part in the service, thus breaking up the monotony. (c) That each one to take part in the service, make a study of the field considered, that he may be able to make the subject of special interest. (d) That a map of the world be provided, so that the different fields may be located, thus educating our people regarding the extent and progress of the message. (e) That the Sabbath-schools be encouraged to participate in these exercises, that thus the interest of the children may be enlisted in the work of foreign missions. (f) That our conference laborers and church officers keep constantly before all our people the importance of the weekly offerings for missions, and that we put forth a united effort to raise the offerings for missions, from all sources, to an amount averaging at least ten cents a week per capita. The Sabbath School Worker will give each month a little missionary service, especially designed for the children, and the program for the second Sabbath reading will provide for this Sabbath-school exercise to be presented. We all know that any missionary item or study that is of interest to the children, is profitable for us who are older, as well. Everybody who believes this truth wants to see the message hastened on into the great mission fields. The fact that we come so far short in reaching the average aimed at in regular weekly contributions, is not due so much to lack of interest and intention as to lack of forming the habit of regularly remembering the missionary needs. Let us make all we can of these second Sabbath services, not only for the sake of the work itself in the great fields where the call comes with increasing force, but also for the sake of our own spiritual needs. Nothing will so keep our hearts from selfishness and from the world as a close touch with the progress of the Lord’s work in the mission fields. We must get out of our minds the thought that we are forever to be marching through the wilderness. The end of the journey is just ahead. Why should not all study the progress of the message as reported from week to week in our papers, and come to this second Sabbath service prepared not only to take part in the program of readings and prayer with a hearty interest, but also to bear testimony of cheer regarding points of special interest in the world-wide progress of the message. The fields expect great things in the next year or two, in the way of new workers and new fields entered. This lays a blessed responsibility of praying and giving and going upon the hearts in the home churches. W. A. S.