p. 378 | Cooperation the Basis of Success by M. E. Kern

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 17, 1913

Cooperation the Basis of Success

By M. E. Kern

For many weeks previous to the fourth of March of the present year the whole city of Washington was in an attitude of expectancy. The coming of the new President and his inauguration seemed to be the chief topic of thought and conversation. Very elaborate and expensive preparations were made. Finally the great day came. The solemn ceremonies of inauguration, the great procession with its marching thousands from all parts of the country, and the multitudes of people attracted to the city by this national event, all served to make this a great day in American history.

But how insignificant is all earthly pageantry and power compared to the coming of the King of kings and Lord of lords, to bring to an end the reign of sin and to set up the kingdom of God which shall never be destroyed. And how anxiously should those who know that his coming is near “look for him”! And how earnestly should they labor to hasten his appearing! Many of the saints of God have sung, with Bonar,—

“Come, Lord, and wipe away The curse, the sin, the stain, And make this blighted world of ours Thine own fair world again.”

Come, then! Lord Jesus, come!

This prayer is soon to be answered. Seventh-day Adventists know about it; and to them has been committed the solemn work of sounding the warning message. With what earnestness we should labor and pray that we may be true to our trust. How ready we should be to take up any work or make any sacrifice that our hopes may be quickly fulfilled.

Sabbath, May 3, has been set apart by the General Conference Committee as Missionary Volunteer day. On this day our churches are considering our Missionary Volunteer movement. Do we realize that this branch of our work has a very definite relation to the coming of Christ and the consummation of our hope? Note carefully the following:—

“With such an army of workers as our youth, rightly trained, might furnish, how soon the message of a crucified, risen, and soon-coming Saviour might be carried to the whole world!”—Education, page 371.

“This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” Matt. 24: 14.

What conditions do we face to-day?—First of all, the whole world is open to the proclamation of the advent message; and the message is overdue. Second, we have within our ranks a great body of youth “who can do much if properly directed and encouraged.” It is the duty of the church, for the sake of her children and for the sake of the world, to do everything in her power to enlist and train these young people for service.

“God requires that the church arouse from her lethargy, and see what is the manner of service demanded of her at this time of peril. The lambs of the flock must be fed. The Lord of heaven is looking on to see who is doing the work he would have done for the children and youth. The eyes of our brethren and sisters should be anointed with heavenly eye-salve, that they may discern the necessities of the time.”—Mrs. E. G. White, in Review and Herald, Feb. 13, 1913.

Note again what wonderful result it is said will follow the proper training of our young people,—the speedy triumph of the message, which means the soon coming of Jesus. With this assurance, surely no advent believer can remain indifferent to this great educational phase of our work. When we realize that “very much has been lost to the cause of God because of inattention to the young,” we surely will no longer be guilty of this neglect.

The young people’s work is a matter which should concern the whole church. Ministers, overseers, parents, and church-members have all been admonished to take an active interest in the youth. The Missionary Volunteer Department of the General Conference or of any union or local conference was not organized to take from any one responsibility in this matter, but rather to help ministers, church officers, parents, and church-members to bear heavier responsibilities, and to accomplish greater results. There was young people’s work before these departments were organized, but the special study that has been given to the needs of our young people by departmental workers, and the plans that have been formulated, have given a tremendous impetus to this work. Just as the organization of our publishing work, for instance, has helped the whole church to do a marvelous work in the distribution of literature, so the organization of our Missionary Volunteer Department is helping the entire church to see its duty to the young, and how to accomplish the things needful.

And the key to success in this, as in all lines of church work, is cooperation. The Missionary Volunteer Department is a medium of exchange, where the best plans of successful workers are carefully collated and sent out to the entire field. Here continual study is given to this great problem from the standpoint of the entire field. Plans and methods for enlisting and training the recruits are suggested. But little can be accomplished without the hearty cooperation of the leaders and church-members.

The following outline of what needs to be done for our youth has been given by the president of the General Conference:— “1. A study of their needs and interests by those of more mature years and experience. “2. Laying wise plans and launching practical movements to meet their needs. “3. Giving practical instruction on how to work for the young. “4. Sending out strong influences for unceasing efforts in their behalf. “5. Placing before them true ideals of life and service. “6. Giving wise and firm direction to their energies. “7. Training them, while young, in the Master’s service. “8. Influencing them to enter school and lay a good foundation for their life-work. “9. Finally locating them in permanent service.”

These various things are being attempted as a continuous effort. A glance at the scope of the movement makes it apparent that the work can be done only by the cooperation of the entire church and the personal touch of Christian workers of experience.

Concerning the value of the Missionary Volunteer Department and the need of cooperation on the part of church leaders, the General Conference president further says:—

“In the reorganization of our work, we have made many changes and have set on foot important movements, but none has given me the satisfaction that the creation of the young people’s department has

given me. I can not look upon our young people without having my heart greatly stirred. When I see how easy it is to turn from the right road into the wrong one; when I see the many allurements of the world; when I hear the sad wail from fathers and mothers at our camp-meetings because their children have wandered from the cause, and hear their earnest pleas for us to pray for their return, I feel that the young people’s department is one of the most important features of our administration.

“In view of this important work, I appeal to conference officers and ministers to take hold of it in hearty, active, positive cooperation. It should not require pressure from without to lead us to do all in our power to make the work of this young people’s department effective. A realization of the worth of our youth should cause us to put forth most earnest endeavors to carry into effect the plans of the department.”

Of parents it is said: “O, where are the fathers and mothers in Israel? There ought to be a large number who are stewards of the grace of Christ, who feel not merely a casual but a special interest in the young.”

And it is true, of course, in a special sense that the young people themselves must cooperate. As young people we should appreciate first of all that though we are young and without experience, God has called us to be “his helping hand.” We should appreciate the special efforts now being put forth by all our conferences in our behalf, and cooperate in every possible way to obtain the very best preparation for the purpose of doing others good.

In closing this reading, let the following earnest words from Mrs. E. G. White take hold of our hearts:—

“As a church, as individuals, if we would stand clear in the judgment, we must make more liberal efforts for the training of our young people, that they may be better fitted for the various branches of the great work committed to our hands. We should lay wise plans, in order that the ingenious minds of those who have talent may be strengthened and disciplined, and polished after the highest order, that the work of Christ may not be hindered for lack of skilful laborers who will do their work with earnestness and fidelity.”

M. E. Kern.