Church Missionary Work

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 11, 1912

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 89, No. 15.

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Church Missionary Work

[The following program was prepared by J. R. Ferrin, missionary secretary of Pacific Union Conference.]

Suggestive Program for Fourth Sabbath Home Missionary Service

(April 27, 1912)

OPENING SONG: “Christ in Song,” No. 621; old edition, 509.

SCRIPTURE READING: Luke 12:31-40.

PRAYER.

QUARTET: “Christ in Song,” new edition, No. 536.

READING: “Thoughts on Personal Work.”

RECITATION: “Out of Touch With God.”

READING: “God’s Spirit at Work.”

READING: “Missionary Correspondence.”

GENERAL CONSIDERATION: How can I as an individual, and we as a church, strengthen our work along lines suggested?

CLOSING SONG: “Let the Lower Lights Be Burning.”

(One to whom topic is assigned should feel free to change or add to, adapting subject in most interesting way for the service.)

Thoughts on Personal Work

CHRIST set the example in personal work. He came personally to seek and to save that which was lost. See him ministering to the sick, hurrying here and there to relieve suffering, and stopping by the way, if necessary, as in the case of the poor woman who touched the hem of his garment. A constant study of his method of work, and of his way of approaching the people, will assist us in cultivating a feeling of sympathy for those about us. The personal touch is the most direct method of transmitting the life-giving influence of Christianity. “Silver and gold have I none,” said the apostle to the cripple asking alms, “but such as I have give I thee.” Think of the opportunities that come to the Christian to minister to others in a way that means more than silver or gold.

A few weeks ago, while on the train, I fell into conversation with an intelligent woman. When she learned I was an Adventist, she said: “O, I know all about your people! For years I lived by one of your members, an old gentleman who was one of the most earnest Christian men I ever saw. He always kept me supplied with your books and papers, and I read a great deal.” I had a long talk with this woman. While she had not accepted the truth, the life of this dear isolated brother had made her favorable to it. He passed away a few months ago. In referring to the future, the woman said, “I know he will be saved; he was a saint if there ever was one.” Think what it means to be a Christian, and to have that kind of influence.

Our Missionary Volunteers who are following the Reading Course must be touched with the example of Frank Crossley as a personal worker among the poor in the great city of Manchester, England. The story of his life of ministering, of how his fortune was given to this work, and of how he and his wife personally took charge of the mission home established among the poorer classes, is a thrilling message of the power of love. There they labored to better conditions and bring the hope of salvation to thousands of souls. It is said that he set before him the death of the self-life, that the power of the Christ-life might be made manifest, and this explains much of the effectiveness of his life and work. Star Hall and its surrounding buildings became a center of light, life, and love,—a local center of evangelistic activity which permeated not only the immediate district, but reached across the sea.

Fifteen thousand persons followed the remains of this noble man to his resting-place four years ago. “It was a motley crowd from distant parts of England, Scotland, and Ireland,—the poor and the rich, the educated and the ignorant, the saintly and the sinful,—all drawn as by some mighty magnet about the dead body of a common benefactor. Tears ran freely from eyes unused to weeping, and voices choked with sobs said, in grief’s half-mute whispers, ‘He loved us so!’”

We can not all work on as large a scale perhaps as did Frank Crossley, but God will bless every effort we put forth to help those about us.

Recently I spent a day at one of our sanitariums to assist the church librarian in working up the renewal of a large club of the Signs furnished by the sanitarium family. One white-haired sister, when renewing her papers, said: “I made up my mind some time ago to do something in the way of missionary work every day, and the Lord has blessed me in talking with others and in writing letters. I feel I must do something all the time.” We had a cheering visit. When she had gone, a friend said to me: “Dear sister! she is always enthusiastic in the work. She always has something to give, and is so happy in giving it. The only way she has to make any money is by washing for patients.” May the Lord implant a similar love for his work in the hearts of those who may be blessed with larger means and opportunities.

I believe that doing personal work for others depends to a great extent on whether or not it is planned for. I wonder how many are spending ten minutes a day thinking seriously and planning to the end of actually doing something for the advancement of this message. This is an excellent thing to do. Write a list of calls you might make, and set aside a little time for that purpose. Think over the families, and plan to take some of our literature that will be acceptable to each. I have gained access to several homes during the past week by taking Our Little Friend to the children. This opens the way to give a Signs or some tracts to the father and mother.

I have in mind a home worker who so plans her work that a few hours is given each week to calls with our literature. She is situated just as hundreds of others are, but makes it a regular business to get in touch with all the families in her vicinity, and with others as she can extend her territory. She makes their acquaintance first, and then as the way opens, gets them to reading. She has been privileged to see several families come into the truth during the past two years. In a letter from her a few days ago she reports the sale of thirty-three small books, and the distribution of

several hundred Signs and magazines.

The librarian of one of our country churches received a letter a few weeks ago from the tract society with reference to some one’s taking up the sale of our small books. No one volunteering, she concluded to do it herself, although it would mean covering considerable distance on foot. In the few hours spent in visiting in the neighborhood, besides taking orders for twenty-seven books, she held two Bible readings, allayed prejudice in one or two instances, and now several homes are open for our literature. The Lord is calling for more personal work. There are many ways in which such work may be done.

A fellow worker has told me of a family he has been visiting occasionally. There is sickness in this family, and our brother has been doing what he could to bring them cheer and comfort. Last night the woman said to him, ‘I believe you people have the truth.’ She had been reading the Signs, and although worn from lack of sleep, begged him to explain a prophecy of Daniel to her sick husband, while she sat near by and listened.

Shall we not get so in touch with our Lord that we shall make it part of our Christian business to do more personal work for those about us? The promise contained in the following instruction from the spirit of prophecy will not fail:—

“Visit your neighbors, and show an interest in the salvation of their souls. Arouse every spiritual energy to action. Tell those whom you visit that the end of all things is at hand. The Lord Jesus Christ will open the doors of their hearts, and will make upon their minds lasting impressions.”