What the Workers Say

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Feb 16, 1911

What the Workers Say

AGAIN we have the privilege of catching a few of the notes of courage that float in from the workers out in the wide harvest-fields. Read them with a heart open to divine impressions as to what you may do to save the young people about you. The first is from Sister Margaret Shanks, of—

Ontario

"One of the most obvious signs of the times is seen in the way our young people are relating themselves to the closing message. It is plain from the Scriptures that the youth are to act a part in speeding the tidings of the coming Saviour to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people. They are responding nobly to the call of God for service. The Missionary Volunteer society is a practical training-school for our youth. The main point is to attract their attention to our great work, and keep it there; this can be done as they are led to work for others. In doing this work they broaden the distance between themselves and the world. The Reading Courses are also an important factor in this Missionary Volunteer training-school. More young people see the necessity this year of a systematic course of reading than ever before. The Morning Watch Calendar is a good friend to those who treat it in a friendly way, and most of our young people are well acquainted with it. While visiting our school recently, I was agreeably surprised at the morning meal to hear nearly all the students repeat the verse for the day from the Morning Watch Calendar. The young people's work at camp-meeting has helped our youth in two ways: (1) Through it some have become interested in school; and (2) others have been led to take an active part in missionary work."

Southern New England

Brother C. H. Reimers, Missionary Volunteer secretary of this conference, writes: "Although the young people in our conference are few, and widely scattered, the effort which they put forth to attend the weekly meetings is a proof that the Missionary Volunteer Society is a source of blessing to them. This department affords our youth much help in their preparation for service in the Master's vineyard. The Morning Watch helps them to form the habit of taking time each morning for study, meditation, and prayer. This we know is the secret of success in the Christian life. Some of our members learn by heart the verse for each day. We have greatly appreciated the lessons on Bible doctrines in the INSTRUCTOR, and are striving for the Standard of Attainment. It has been said that 'without the love of books the richest man is poor;' so I must testify to the value of the Missionary Volunteer Reading Courses. These courses are enjoyed more and more by old as well as young. They help us to value and use the spare moments, and increase our desire for good books. The Missionary Volunteer work also encourages and helps our young people to gain an education. We desire the good will and encouragement of the older church-members and also of the ministry. A large part of the work in this closing message must be done by our young people; therefore we must be up and doing."

Western Washington

From this far Western conference, Sister Sophrona Dodge writes: "To enlist our young people for service, and to harness their energies for active work in behalf of the third angel's message, is the ultimate object of the Missionary Volunteer movement. Many of our young people do not realize what they are capable of doing until their ability has been demonstrated through the Missionary Volunteer society. In this way some have been encouraged to enter our schools to obtain a better preparation for carrying on the work. The Reading Courses help our youth to utilize time which otherwise might be wasted, and also to fix their minds upon that which is noble and elevating. The Morning Watch Calendar is a constant reminder of the Christian's duty, and prepares us to meet the temptations of the day. The quiet hour alone with the Saviour in study and meditation upon the Word, is indeed the secret of a happy Christian life. I trust our young people may experience this during the coming year. Not nearly all has been accomplished that should be, but I feel confident that this work in behalf of the young people is helping to turn their attention away from the attractions of the world, and direct them toward the one great thing to live for at this time,—the spreading of the third angel's message."

British Columbia

Words of courage come from Sister Birdie Conway, of the British Columbia Conference: "The Lord is blessing the Missionary Volunteer work, and I firmly believe that it will be a great factor in helping to spread the message quickly. Our youth have been doing some good work with the Harvest Ingathering number of the REVIEW. One society takes quite a large club of the Signs, and the young people meet, and wrap and address them in connection with the missionary meetings. Over five thousand tracts were distributed by our band members among the visitors at the International Apple Show. We are hoping for some good results from this effort. Thirty-six have enrolled in the Reading Courses."

Western Oregon

R. W. Airey writes of the work in the Western Oregon Conference: "My heart is made to rejoice as I go from society to society in our conference, when I note the way in which the Missionary Volunteer work is encouraging and holding our young people. The interest they show in the society lessons in the Instructor, especially those on mission fields, is very marked. Our good Reading Courses and the Morning Watch Calendar are accomplishing much for our youth."

Eastern Pennsylvania

Of the work in this conference Sister Myrtle A. Bristol, the Missionary Volunteer secretary, says: "The Missionary Volunteer work has become a distinct and indispensable factor in the training of our youth. The young people recognize themselves, individually, as links in the great chain of young people, and they like the association. They gather inspiration from belonging to a body having for its aim the proclamation of this message to the world. The experience gained in missionary visits to the poor and sick, and through missionary correspondence, is brightening their Christian life, and proving an inspiration to the older church-members as well. We find a hearty response from our youth in taking up the Standard of Attainment studies and the Reading Courses. The Morning Watch Calendar is also doing a great work in aiding our young people to acquire the habit of daily, personal devotion to Bible study. These various departments are all strengthening them in a determination to fit themselves for better service."

Northern New England

From Mrs. W. H. Holden: "I feel that the Missionary Volunteer work is helping to hold and train the youth in our conference. Through it they are gaining a deeper Christian experience. This gives them a greater love for the truth, and a desire to have a part in giving it to others, and it also shows them the need of quickly warning the world of the coming of the Saviour. The Reading Courses are giving our young people a desire for good reading and for improving their spare time; further than this, they are creating in the youth an ambition to accomplish something in the world. The Morning Watch has encouraged daily Bible study, which has proved a safeguard against yielding to temptations. The Missionary Volunteer work has caused a deeper interest in our camp-meetings on the part of the young people, and has prompted them to attend. They say that the young people's meetings are the best part of the camp-meeting."

Iowa

Brother H. H. Howard sends the following good word from this conference: "The Missionary Volunteer work is doing much in Iowa to hold and train our youth. It furnishes them definite plans for labor, and urges them into service. While working for others, they become stronger themselves, and thus advance in the cause of God. How thankful I am for our Missionary Volunteer Reading Courses, and I am still more thankful as I see a growing demand for them. Those who have read the books in one course are usually the first to enroll the coming year. Thus the habit of reading good books is formed.

Nothing can be more desirable than to have our youth cultivate a taste for good literature. We can not speak too highly of the work done for the young people by the Morning Watch Calendar. Its influence has been far-reaching. I know of young men and women who have received spiritual blessings that they would not have to-day, had they not devoted a few moments in the early morning to the Morning Watch texts."

As we see what others are doing for our young people, and note the blessed results, let us resolve to be more faithful and earnest in our efforts to save them to this work and for the Master's kingdom. M. E.