p. 2 | Note and Comment

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jan 13, 1916

Note and Comment

Self-Denial Week for Methodists

THE general committee of the Board of Foreign Missions of the Methodist Episcopal Church of the United States, has issued a call to members of that church to observe a period of self-denial from April 13 to 23. This call is made not alone to increase the money in the mission treasury, but to afford a season for thoughtful devotion and earnest prayer. The following reasons are cited why this call should be observed:—

God speaks to us now by many distinct voices,—by the voice of war that becomes a wail and a moan; by the voice of an institutional and ceremonial religion, in Italy, Mexico, France, South America, and elsewhere, that too often becomes the voice of a hopeless atheism; by the voice of an amazing progress in Japan, and China, and Korea, and Africa, which becomes a clamor for guidance in the paths of God; by the voice of weighty mass movements in India, where thousands wait eagerly for the sacred rite of baptism; by the voice of orphanhood, which makes tender request to be gathered from homes destroyed by war into the care of spiritual parenthood under the leadership of Christ; by the voice of an overworked missionary force that covets reenforcement and relief; by the voice of trained and consecrated youth that pleads to go if only we will send; and by voices that speak to us from open doors on all continents and islands. This day is vocal with the varied calls of God; and he needs now a listening and a willing church.

For these reasons, and for others which might be cited, we as a people need to make every week a week of prayer and a week of self-denial. It will take all to buy the field of heavenly treasure. The service of God requires a constant sacrifice of service and missionary effort. Let us have during 1916 not alone one week of prayer and self-denial, but fifty-two weeks.