Young People's Missionary Volunteer Day by Irwin H. Evans

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 6, 1916

Young People's Missionary Volunteer Day

By Irwin H. Evans

THE General and Division Conferences have set apart the first Sabbath in May as Young People's Missionary Volunteer Day. Not a few leaders, church elders, and even ministers will probably ask, Shall we observe this day? and if so, what shall we do to make the day both profitable and interesting?

The latter part of this question will be answered by a program which the Missionary Volunteer Department will furnish all church officers and young people's leaders for this occasion.

Let me suggest a few reasons why this day should be observed by every church in the Division Conference:—

1. The General and Division Conferences have set this day apart to be observed by our churches throughout the world. It adds much to the interest of the occasion to know that every fellow believer in the denomination is following the same program that we are trying to carry out. This makes us a united people, and invariably brings strength and comfort to the church.

2. Our young people need the inspiration and help to be obtained from the observance of this day. They are isolated from the world and its pleasures. We do not wish them to join other young people's societies nor to attend public amusements, nor the places generally visited by the young. We must offer them something more interesting and helpful. This day's service is designed to meet a need in the lives of young people, and to encourage them to

remain loyal and faithful to the church and the third angel's message.

3. Not a few young people of Seventh-day Adventist parentage are out of Christ. It is the endeavor of the Young People's Missionary Volunteer Department to lead the unconverted and those who are not especially interested in the truth, to give their lives to God, and to take an active part in the work of the church. The efforts for the day will be to interest these young people, and all should unite in prayer that the Holy Spirit may speak to many hearts, and that those out of Christ may find the joy of the Christian in believing.

4. To accomplish this purpose, there must precede this day a heart preparation of much prayer and wrestling with God. Parents should tarry long in secret communion with the Most High for their wayward sons and daughters out of Christ. The church officers should counsel together, lay their plans with the young people's leaders in a very definite way, and spend much time in prayer in behalf of those young people who need help.

5. The Young People's Missionary Volunteer Department has prepared a program for the day, which will appear in the REVIEW of April 20. These workers have spent much time and prayer and study trying to set forth those points that will be most helpful. No other program should be substituted for this, but each one should study well the part he is to take in the day's service, and make it as helpful as possible.

This day should be made a day that will never be forgotten. It should be a day when the Holy Spirit shall manifest its convicting and converting power. Our young people must be brought to Christ, if labor and prayer on our part will bring them. They are needed in the homeland, they are needed in the foreign fields, and we must remember our duty toward the “beautiful flock,” that the Lord has intrusted to our love and care. Nor should we forget the purpose of this day. It is not a holiday, but a holy day, the proper observance of which will bring rejoicing and thanksgiving to many hearts.

We therefore trust that our church elders and leaders everywhere in the Division Conference will plan long beforehand to make this day one of the best in the whole year. Let us work for great things, pray for great things, and believe that God will give us the desires of our hearts.

I. H. EVANS,

President N. Am. Div. Conference.