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Having a Mind to Work

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 23, 1911

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 88, No. 12.

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Having a Mind to Work

By George H. Scott

GEORGE H. SCOTT
WHEN we are doing the will of God, all Heaven is willing to help us. We read from the pen of God’s servant that “angels will go before the faithful, God-fearing canvasser, to prepare the hearts of the people to receive the book he has.” Surely it is not because God is weak that we fail. Why, then, is it that so many undertake the work who in a short time give it up?—Because they are like the men sent to spy out the land of Canaan. They look only at the difficulties in the way, and in a short time give up.
We lack confidence in God; we forget his promises, and fail to trust ourselves wholly in his hands. All who have read of the rebuilding of Jerusalem under Nehemiah know something of the difficulties under which this great work was accomplished. In the record we read: “So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof: for the people had a mind to work.” Neh. 4:6. The first part of the verse says, “So built we the wall;” and the last part tells how they were able to accomplish this great undertaking: “For the people had a mind to work.” O, that these words could be impressed on the heart of every worker, causing each one to determine that, no matter how great the difficulties or discouragements, he would let nothing come between him and the accomplishing of his work!
Often in my own experience I have felt discouraged, thinking it almost impossible for work to be done in certain places; but after making up my mind to go ahead, faithfully doing my part and trusting God for the rest, I have always had a rich experience.
When beginning work in a new town, I once went to the secretary of the Y. M. C. A. After telling him that I was, wished to get a room with some good family, he asked my business, and upon being informed, he said: “Well, I am sorry for you. The people of this place are entirely dependent upon the lumber industry, and the mills have been shut down all summer.” This was not very encouraging. However, I made up my mind that I would visit every house in the place, and with God’s help faithfully improve the time he had given me. I did well, far better than I had hoped.
It is always best, on going to a strange place, to close the eyes and ears to all the discouraging things seen and heard. Determine to work faithfully in the territory. The harder the field, the greater happiness you will have in knowing that you have faithfully worked it. Many times, if you look at the dark pictures presented before you, you will become discouraged; while if you remain, and faithfully improve the time, you may do better than ever before.
Once I went quite a distance to a city to work, and had a heavy expense in getting there. The week of my arrival was stormy and dismal, people were not very cordial, and it seemed that little could be done. I was much cast down. One cloudy, rainy morning, while eating my breakfast, and glancing over one of our papers, I read the following stanza:—
“God has not promised skies ever blue, Flower-strewn pathways always to you; God has not promised sun without rain, Joy without sorrow, peace without pain; But God has promised strength from above, Unfailing sympathy, undying love.”
This message was for me. I had been feeling that everything was against me, but after reading these words, I remembered that God is ever ready to hear us, and resolved that, with his help, I would work that place faithfully. Then I started out, going from one house to another, and repeating the words of the stanza quoted above to myself as I went. The next week the sun came out, my spirits rose, and I did better in this place than I had ever done before.
It pays to have a mind to work. O, that more of our young people had this mind! Then would the work soon be finished, and our Saviour come in the clouds of heaven. In that glad day how sweet will sound the words of our Saviour: “Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord”!