p. 3 | The Needs of Special Classes by F. M. W.

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

The Needs of Special Classes

By F. M. W.

WHAT a medley of needs is presented by the church of God! What varied conditions are found among the believers! As our thoughts go out over the great world-wide field, we think of several special classes who need special help, and whom it is our privilege to hold up in prayer from day to day before the Father of all mercies.

The Shut-ins

First of all we think of the shut-ins, those who through physical disability are shut up in their homes, deprived of the benefits of public service and largely shut off from association with their fellow men. There are many such. Surely these should learn to find communion with the Master so sweet and satisfying that it shall make up for the loss of human association. It is their privilege to realize that God can sanctify their suffering and loneliness to their good, and through their ministry to the good of many others.

We have in mind, as we write, a sister who has been a shut-in for many years. But even though she is confined to her bed, there goes out from her life and room an influence which gathers with Christ, and many a weary heart has been lightened and cheered by her messages of love and by visits to her sickroom. And if all those similarly situated could realize that they still have a mission in the world, and that God is anxious to use them in their weakness in laboring for others, they would find joy and satisfaction even in their loneliness.

The Aged Ones

We think also of the aged and infirm; of those who have grown weary with life's burdens and have been compelled to step aside and watch life's busy activities pass by while they feel that their work is at an end. Particularly do we think of some of our aged ministers who are passing through this experience. Satan would tempt them with the thought that they have outlived their usefulness. But this is not true. God still has a work

for these aged ones to do. The cause of God and the younger members of the church still need their counsel and their prayers.

While they may not go out and labor in the heat of the day, it is still their privilege to speak brave, hopeful words to those who are in the forefront of the battle. They may hold up before God in prayer those who are doing work that they cannot do. By God's grace it is possible that they may accomplish more by their prayers than others do by their labors. And if, in the providence of God, they must abide by the stuff while others go forth to war, it is for them to learn that if they are faithful in their abiding, as others are in their warfare, they will share equally with their brethren. The men of David's company who in their faintness and weariness were obliged to stay by the stuff while the others went on in pursuit of the Amalekites, shared equally with their brethren. This was a law in Israel, a divine principle, we believe, which will be recognized in eternity.

The Scattered Sheep

And then we think of the isolated ones, those who by circumstances or environment are cut off from communion with their brethren and sisters. Many of these live in communities where deep prejudice exists. Their hearts long for association with those of like precious faith. They are denied the privilege of church worship. And yet, after all, these conditions need not discourage nor dishearten if they are rightly regarded.

The editor feels that it proved one of the great blessings of his boyhood days that he lived in such an environment; in a neighborhood where his mother and her children were the only Sabbath keepers; where he was the only Sabbath-keeping boy attending the district school. The very lack of social communion made communion with the Master more precious, and this may be the experience of every isolated believer today. It is not in the purpose of God that his children should gather around a few large centers.

In every age the believers have been dispersed abroad in order that they might stand in their several communities as light bearers. Thus it is that the message of God today gathers here and there. It sets men and women in solitary places, in remote regions, with the design that they shall erect the banner of truth and prove a savor of life to those in darkness. If the lonely ones can but recognize this high calling which the providence of God extends to them, and improve the opportunities which their isolation affords in rightly representing to those around them the truth, their experience will be made a blessing and a help, in place of a hindrance.

Believers in Divided Homes

And then there are those living in divided homes. To this class particularly should our hearts go out in sympathy. We who have lived in divided homes, where only father or mother or wife or husband, or perhaps one or more of the children, were believers, and the rest maintained a spirit of opposition to Christianity, know something of the heartaches and feelings of utter loneliness which sometimes come into the life; of the longing for kind words and tender greetings and fellowship of soul which may be found in a united family. These tempted ones need our prayers.

We know of one sister living in isolation so far as other believers are concerned, whose husband knows not God. He is a slave to strong drink. Added to the trial of isolation in her neighborhood and in her home, is the abuse which she suffers from him; but she is suffering in the spirit of the Master, lovingly, patiently, and considerately. She is endeavoring to act the part of a true wife, of a faithful mother, hoping by the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit to commend to her unbelieving husband the gospel of salvation; so that by seeing Christ in her, he may be led to accept the Saviour.

We know of a young man who, in spite of the opposition of his parents, the ridicule and scoffing of his brothers and sisters, the persecution of his old-time associates, has taken his stand for God, and is endeavoring by a godly life to stand alone in the family circle, representing Christ to his loved ones, hoping thereby to win them to the Master. He knows that argument in behalf of the truth will prove of no avail. He knows it would be futile for him to attempt to urge the truth upon his parents or his brothers and sisters. The only thing left for him to do is to represent the truth in his life.

These two cases are illustrative of many to be found throughout our ranks, and this class as well as the others may find, through the grace of Christ, great blessing in their environment. Perhaps the Lord in his wisdom sees that it is necessary for them to meet this opposition in their homes in order to develop strength of character. It is possible that this opposition in some cases arises from failure on their part to use good judgment. It may be that they have not acted wisely; that they have taken a course to unduly prejudice those who know not the Lord. Such should carefully review their experience and seek for divine wisdom that they may know when to speak and when to keep silent. They should seek with their loved ones as close a union as possible in every relationship of life, without sacrificing principle. They should be careful not to make their religion offensive. They should be wise in urging upon others the claims of the Lord Jesus. Let their preaching be done in living rather than in talking.

Anxious Fathers and Mothers

And there are many other classes in the church who need special help. The anxious fathers and mothers who are earnestly praying for the conversion of children outside of Christ, the heavy burden bearers in this work,—our conference presidents, ministers, and Bible workers, the men and women who are going from door to door selling our publications, the managers of our institutions, the teachers in our schools, the physicians and nurses in our sanitariums,—these all need our prayers and special help from God for their particular duties.

Let us remember the great and varied needs of our brethren and sisters. Let us hold up in prayer the tempted ones, those who are suffering trial and affliction. And as we pray for them, the Lord will graciously respond, ministering to them his blessing, and in return blessing us even as he blessed Job when he prayed for his associates. We must not live unto ourselves, but seek to bear one another's burdens. In doing this we shall fulfil the law of Christ. F. M. W.