Missionary Volunteer Institutes by W. W. Ruble

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 27, 1911

Missionary Volunteer Institutes

By W. W. Ruble

THE first of a series of Missionary Volunteer institutes was held at Stuart, Iowa, March 10-12, in connection with a Sabbath-school convention given by the church and the academy students. Papers upon such subjects as “A Definite Call,” “A Definite Field,” “A Definite

Work,” etc., were prepared by the students, and many excellent thoughts were presented.

Prof. H. R. Salisbury, Elder M. N. Campbell, and Prof. H. H. Howard were present, and took part in the discussion of the papers, and in other ways contributed to the interest of the meetings.

Elder Meade MacGuire and Miss Matilda Erickson were unable to be present at the Stuart meeting, but met us at Elk Point Academy, S. D. At this place a three days’ institute was held. The inspiring talks given by Professor Salisbury on missions, and the instructive lessons given by Elder MacGuire and Miss Erickson on Missionary Volunteer plans, were much appreciated by those present. Elder MacGuire remained over Sabbath at the school, and the deep interest which had been created culminated in a revival, nearly all of the students renewing their consecration to the Lord’s work.

Friday evening, March 17, an institute was opened in St. Paul, Minn., by an inspiring sermon on “The Price of Leadership,” by Professor Salisbury. The two days that followed were crowded with good things pertaining to the young people’s work and the advancement of the message. All the State Missionary Volunteer secretaries in the union were present at this and the two institutes following, and the secretaries’ councils were much appreciated.

Professor Salisbury gave the opening talk, “Young People and Missions,” at the three days’ institute held at Maplewood Academy, Maple Plain, Minn. The talks on “Personal Work,” “Faith and Service,” “Alone With God,” “Temperance and Other Reforms,” given by Elder MacGuire and Miss Erickson, were very helpful. Elder MacGuire remained over the Sabbath, and every student but one renewed his consecration to God, and took a determined step forward.

The last institute of the series was held at the Danish-Norwegian seminary at Hutchinson, Minn. The same workers were present, and the blessing of God attended the work done. The stereopticon lecture, “Christ the Great Missionary,” appealed to the students, and many were inspired to put forth more earnest efforts to bring their lives into conformity with the life of Jesus.

A spirit of consecration and earnest devotion seemed to be renewed at each place visited, and the earnest efforts put forth by the workers will produce fruit in the lives of the young people of the Northern Union Conference. The institutes were a success in every way, and we all feel to thank God anew for the Missionary Volunteer movement.

W. W. RUBLE.