p. 3 | Laboring for the Heathen at Home

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 9, 1916

Laboring for the Heathen at Home

The church of Christ cannot prove true to its profession and its divine calling unless it feels a genuine burden for the great multitude of unsaved in heathen lands. To but few, comparatively, is given the privilege of putting forth labor for these multitudes in darkness, but it is our privilege to send our representatives, and then to hold up their hands in prayer and by financial support. Thus we may have a part in their labor. If we are not privileged to labor for the heathen in other lands, we may labor for the heathen at home. In the sense in which we use the word “heathen” we find many representatives of the class in so-called Christian lands.

The one who, in America, has no saving knowledge of Jesus Christ is quite as much in need of help as is the one who, in the lands of heathen darkness, is ignorant of Christ. There may be some of our neighbors, perhaps members of our own households,—husband or wife, father, mother, or children,—who are thus in need. Do we carry for these unconverted ones the same burden of heart that we carry for those in the great regions beyond? Do we plead with God for their salvation? Do we seek, by representing Christ’s character in our lives, to coöperate with the blessed Spirit in bringing about that salvation? These are considerations well worthy of study, particularly at this time of special seeking of God.

Some who have companied with us in the past may have strayed away. Perhaps they have become discouraged or disaffected, and their minds are now filled with doubt and unbelief. Some of these persons feel that no one cares for their souls. These surely are worthy subjects of labor.

If we really desire to work for God, to minister to some one who needs help, his Spirit will anoint our eyes so that we may see more openings for labor than we can possibly fill. Often we fail to see avenues for doing good because we have no desire to walk in the leading of the Lord. Let us pray for the spirit of labor, for the anointing of the Holy Spirit for service, and for spiritual vision to recognize God-given opportunities. We shall not be disappointed in receiving answers, and our labor will not be without results.