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The One Business

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Dec 28, 1905

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 82, No. 52.

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The One Business

By W. A. S.

THAT was a true view of business that William Carey expressed while still cobbling shoes in the Northamptonshire village, long before he found the way out to India as the pioneer of modern missions. A well-meaning friend thought to give him a kindly warning to look out for his own interests better.
“Mr. Carey,” he said, “I want to speak to you very seriously.”
“Well, what is it?” inquired Carey.
“By going about preaching as you do, you are neglecting your business. If you only attended to your business more, you would be all right, and would soon get on and prosper; but as it is, you are simply neglecting your business.”
“Neglecting my business?” returned Carey, looking his friend steadily in the eyes. “My business is to extend the kingdom of God. I only cobble shoes to pay expenses.”
It was the rule of his life. And it proved a good business rule too; for in his India days he at times earned large salaries, five to eight thousand dollars a year, and still his one business was serving the Lord, and all income from his business, save for the bare necessaries of life, was turned into the mission treasury.
Surely, for believers in the soon coming of the Lord, there is but one business, that of hastening the advent message to the world. What other aim can men have who truly believe the end of the world at hand, that the cities of the nations are soon to fall, and the great day of God's wrath to break upon the world?
Carpenter or farmer, merchant or preacher, the one business is hastening the warning message onward. Just as truly as the Lord calls the missionary to toil unceasingly, with every power of his being and with all the means at his disposal, to carry the light into new fields, even so the call comes to the man toiling in business to dedicate that business to the cause of truth.
Whether it be the calling and gift of public ministry, or whether it be the calling and gift of earning means in business, it is one call to this last service, and those who go and those who send will share equally in the reward.
W. A. S.