PROVOKING TO GOOD WORKS by John Norton Loughborough

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Mar 18, 1880

PROVOKING TO GOOD WORKS.

By John Norton Loughborough

THE officers of our missionary societies should stimulate the members to work, and the members by their example should encourage each other. It is in harmony with Scripture teaching "to provoke" one another to good works. Says Paul, "Let us consider one another to provoke unto love and good works." Heb. 10:24. "For I know the forwardness of your mind, for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal hath provoked very many." 2 Cor. 9:2.

There are various kinds of work to be done in the missionary cause. Absent members should be corresponded with, not simply to ascertain their worldly prospects, but to learn their spiritual standing and advancement, and to stimulate and assist them if possible in performing missionary labor in their new place of residence.

Those in the church who may be faltering, in trial, or in need of help, as well as those who may be interested to learn the truth, and have not yet taken their stand upon it, should be visited. In many instances, when a minister comes to a church, he is met by some of the members who say, "There is a brother or sister so and so, who ought to be visited. I don't think any one has called on them in a long time."

This branch of the missionary work is just calculated to furnish helpers to the ministry, and to furnish nursing fathers and mothers in the church. With the lack of ministers among us the missionary society has been wisely ordered of the Lord to raise up many helpers. Judicious missionary labor is calculated to accomplish as much or more than all the ministers in bringing souls to the truth.

Shall we meet the Master, doing all we can in his cause and receive the plaudit "Well done, good and faithful servant"? or shall he come seeking fruit and find with us "Nothing but leaves"? J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.