An Appeal to Our Young People
By Arthur G. Daniells
I am now on the steamship “Baltic,” nearing the coast of England. We have had an ideal voyage in every respect. As I have been cut off from the volume of work that presses upon me when on land, I have had time to do some serious thinking about this great advent movement with which we are connected. I have been reviewing its history, and studying its present position, with the result that I have been very deeply impressed with our great need of thoroughly qualified, efficient workers. We need money, and much of it, but we need strong, able, consecrated ministers and Bible workers much more. Thoroughly trained, Spirit-filled workers can render our cause to-day infinitely greater service than can money alone. Efficient, successful ministers, Bible workers, and medical missionaries will win souls to Christ; and that will bring the money required to extend the cause to the uttermost parts of the earth. At different periods in the history of our cause its pressing needs have been different. In the early days there was great need of literature—tracts, pamphlets, books, and papers. The pioneers not only saw this need, but felt a great burden pressing upon them to write and publish. Now we have a large variety of excellent literature, and we are surely making good use of it. At another period we were in sore need of organization, in order to carry forward a rapidly growing work. This burden was laid upon the hearts of the leaders, and they studied and struggled with this problem until they succeeded in developing a plan of organization that enables us to carry our work forward with great despatch and in necessary harmony in all parts of the world. Then came our great need of schools, and of a suitable, well-developed system of education for our young people. God has greatly blessed us in our endeavors to supply this need. To-day nearly twenty thousand of our children and young people are receiving their education in our schools. The Call to Evangelize the Cities
Now, after producing a good variety of literature, and developing a successful plan of organization, and providing excellent educational facilities, a most urgent call comes to us to give our message to the great masses congregated in the cities throughout the world. The instruction that has come to us through the spirit of prophecy to work these cities just now is truly solemn and impressive. It seems like a final summons to God’s people to arise and finish his work. It is surely a great undertaking—one to which we shall have to devote our energies while probation lasts. It is this work in behalf of our cities which we are now called to carry forward everywhere that makes such a demand for specially qualified, efficient workers. These cities present to our workers obstacles which do not exist in the smaller towns and rural districts. In our endeavors to carry out the instruction regarding the city work, we find ourselves unprepared for it. And our greatest lack is suitable workers—men and women trained for, and adapted to, the conditions we are obliged to meet. The call is now coming from conference officers and the ministers located in these cities for young men and women of good education and address who can readily adapt themselves to the varied conditions that exist, and who can stand the strain of the strenuous work they will have to do. Preachers are in great demand—preachers who are able, clear, and forceful in public work. Young women are wanted for Bible work who are educated, refined, tactful, and persevering. Competent missionary nurses are wanted, who can go into the highways and hedges, and minister to those who are sick, physically and spiritually. The demand for able workers is so great and pressing that it is really painful. It is necessary that we hasten the preparation and training of this class of workers. Consecration and Preparation
In view of these considerations, I most earnestly appeal to our young men and women immediately to consecrate their lives to God for this service. Make a full surrender of all to him, and without delay take the first steps necessary to place yourselves where you can help18to supply the great, pressing need of this hour. You are wanted, and will be recognized and located as soon as you are ready for work. No one can tell just when, where, and how all this will be worked out; but no one needs to know this now. The preparation is the first and most essential thing. When that is made, the providence of God will guide. That is the experience of hundreds of workers who are now rendering the cause valuable service. Our colleges and academies are making strenuous efforts to give our young people the education they must have for the foundation of their life-work; but it rests with our young men and women who attend these schools to address themselves to the task of building wisely upon this foundation. The Foreign Mission Seminary
I find many who, having finished their regular school work, are making little use of what they have acquired in the direct work of our message. In our search for missionaries for foreign fields we have found many of these who have responded to the call, and, after taking special work at our Foreign Mission Seminary, have entered upon active work in either the home or foreign fields. The calls for these Seminary students this year can not all be filled. We must now gather another company for next year. I hope every young man and young woman who reads this will take it as a personal appeal to begin immediately to prepare for the work the Lord is now calling upon us to do for lost souls, whose destiny must soon be forever fixed. If you have finished your regular school work, turn your face toward the Foreign Mission Seminary. Correspond with Prof. M. E. Kern about the plans and terms for next year. Watch for the announcements that will appear in the REVIEW and other papers. And may a large number of our young people whom the Lord wants just now, consecrate their lives this year to his service.