Personal Effort an Important Factor in Missionary Work
By F. M. W.
THE importance of personal effort in all missionary labor can not be too strongly emphasized. The Lord has chosen human agents as light-bearers, and by personal contact with their fellows, he designs the light to be communicated. He could work as readily alone by his Holy Spirit, had he so purposed, but he saw and recognized the value of the personal factor as an agency in work. This was manifested in the earthly life of the Saviour. He came close to the people. He visited Zaccheus in his own home; he came so near to the leper as to lay upon his polluted body his own divine hand; he anointed the eyes of the blind with clay; he blessed little children, taking them in his arms. He was with the people, and in a sense he was one with the people in the synagogues, at the feasts, in the market-places, by the wayside, in the home, and in private conversation. He stooped to admonish Peter, to instruct Nicodemus, and to comfort Martha and Mary. No person was too obscure to escape his notice, no act so small but he performed it with love and interest. In all this the principle of personal labor is illustrated. Among the early disciples the same spirit is manifested. Jesus talks with Andrew, and Andrew seeks out Peter; Jesus extends to Philip a personal call to follow him, and Philip in turn proves the agency by which Nathanael is brought to Christ. Saul, after his remarkable conversion on his way to Damascus, seeks instruction of God, and is sent to Ananias; Cornelius needs help, and Peter is sent to his assistance; the eunuch desires enlightenment, and Philip is sent on a journey of many miles to instruct him. In these examples is taught the value of personal work. God does not use angels as his laborers, but men with like passions as those desiring help—men with similar experiences and environment. The value of personal labor must be recognized, if we would perform that which in God's providence we may accomplish. The more strongly this idea of personal effort for the salvation of souls takes possession of the missionary workers, the more success will attend their efforts. There is too much of a spirit to do things in a wholesale way. Too many would rather pay their money, and leave to others the responsibility of actual work. Not one should be excused. Christian work for others is Christian life, and the man or woman who neglects such labor will as surely die spiritually as one will die physically who neglects to partake of needed food. Our churches to-day are languishing, not for lack of light or for a knowledge of the truth, at least in theory, but they are dying for a lack of exercise, through failure to put forth that effort for others that would fan into new life the flickering flame of vitality that burns in their own souls. We hear much missionary talk and agitation; that is all good, but we need to do missionary work. The missionary meeting is naught but a dead form unless such labor is done. Its work, its activity, is its life. Every member in the church should engage personally in sending out missionary literature. None should excuse themselves on the plea that they have but little time to give to that work. It requires but little time to send out a paper or a tract. God does not ask of any individual more than he can do; but he requires of each one of his children, work in some degree and of some character. Let this idea of personal effort be pressed home upon our people, and we shall see greater results attending our missionary work. When such a spirit obtains among the members of the church, the missionary meeting will cease to be cold and formal. Every member will have a live experience to relate of what God has done for him, and for others through his efforts. While we should do more in quantity, there should also be a bettering of the quality of our work. God wants us to raise the standard. May he enable us to work so discreetly and wisely that our own souls may be revived and strengthened, and that we may see others brought to a saving knowledge of his truth for this time. F. M. W.