The Test of Sincerity by V. O. Cole

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D.C. · Sep 14, 1916

The Test of Sincerity

By V. O. Cole

A FEW days ago I was reading of a fond father who asked his child the question, “How much do you love me?” The child looked into his father’s face filling with a sweet, trusting smile, and replied, “Papa, I love you enough to mind you.” In this we see that even the little child recognized that obedience is the real test of sincerity. I wonder if we, who are only “grown-up children,” have learned this important lesson?

The servant of the Lord has said, “In the command, ‘Go work today in my vineyard,’ the test of sincerity is brought to every soul. . . . All who would be sons and daughters of God must prove themselves coworkers with God and Christ and the heavenly angels. This is the test of every soul.”

Again we read, “Not more surely is the place prepared for us in the heavenly mansions than is the special place designated on earth where we are to work for God.”

But you say, To answer a call for service, and to have a definite part in the work does not necessarily mean to canvass. Certainly you are right in this, for the Lord has many departments in his work; but in order to advance further in this study, let each ask himself the question, Have I stood the first test? Have I surrendered myself to God for service anywhere he may call? If we can answer this test in the affirmative, we can then apply the second; but unless the first is answered, the second will mean very little to us.

The statements are made: “From the light given me, I know that where there is one canvasser in the field, there should be one hundred.” “The time has come when a large work should be done by the canvassers.” “Do not allow anything to keep you from the work of soul-saving. The canvassing work is a most successful way of saving souls. Will you not try it?”

It would seem that for every colporteur in the field, ninety-nine of our people are not answering the call. So in this test, the odds are against us, and the important question for each to answer is, Is it I?

Now for the personal benefit. Who can doubt the inspired statement, “There is no higher work than evangelistic canvassing, for it involves the performance of the highest moral duties”? I have yet to meet the first colporteur who is willing to sell his experiences and the blessings obtained in this work. But aside from this educational feature, it affords the opportunity of developing that all-round character, and that strong faith in God, that every one must have in order to go through the time of

trouble just ahead. The canvasser is constantly meeting in his daily work that which causes him to trust in the Mighty One for help. Who can estimate the benefit of such experiences in character building? We are told that “a character formed according to the divine likeness is the only treasure that we can take from this world to the next.”

Let us therefore appreciate the love of God in trusting us with some part in the work, for we are told that “those who reject the privilege of fellowship with Christ in service, reject the only training that imparts a fitness for participation with him in his glory.”

Brethren, are we standing the test?

V. O. COLE.