p. 18 | Remember the Poor and Needy

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 10, 1910

Remember the Poor and Needy

By N. Z. Town; Mrs. A. E. Ellis

(Second reading)

In reading the early history of the tract and missionary work, as it was begun among Seventh-day Adventists, one is struck with the prominence that was given to the matter of helping the needy and afflicted. One of the objects of the first tract and missionary society ever organized among this people, as stated in Article II of its constitution, was, “To take an especial interest in the worthy poor and afflicted everywhere.”

Those who were the chief promoters of the home missionary work in the early days, often emphasized, through our church paper, the importance of not neglecting the sick and needy. Liberal offerings were given in clothing and money, and thousands of the unfortunate were helped.

On the individual missionary report blank, it will be noticed that the first six items relate to this kind of work. Those who remember the good work done in this line in the days of the “V. M.” and “T. & M.” societies, will be glad to see that such work is being emphasized at the present time.

“That's Me”

One day as Mr. Spurgeon was sitting on one of the seats in the grounds of an orphanage, talking with a gentleman, a little fellow about eight years of age left his play with the other boys, and coming up to him, said: “Please, Mr. Spurgeon, I want to come and sit down on that seat between you two gentlemen.”

“Come along, Bob, and tell us what you want.”

“Please, Mr. Spurgeon, suppose there was a little boy who had no father, who lived in an orphanage with a lot of other little boys who had no fathers, and suppose those little boys had mothers and aunts who come once a month, and brought them apples and oranges, and gave them pennies, and suppose this little boy had no mother and no aunts, and so nobody never came to bring him nice things, don't you think that somebody ought to give him a penny? ’Cause, Mr. Spurgeon, that's me.”

Mr. Spurgeon adds: “Somebody felt something wet in his eyes, and Bob got a sixpence, and went off in a great state of delight.”

All about us are those who can say, “That's me.” If we seek them out and relieve them, we shall often feel “something wet” in our eyes, and they will be made happy.

The church missionary secretary, or the local leader of the missionary society, should consider it one of his duties to search out the sick and needy in the church and neighborhood and report such cases at the missionary meetings. Then let systematic efforts be made to relieve those who are in distress. Some may need to be clothed; the poor widow may need to have her wood split or other work done to help her in getting ready for cold weather; others may need financial help in getting their fuel, etc. Some poor brother may not be able to pay his subscription to the REVIEW. Another may be ill, and in need of help that the members can give. These and many other unmentioned needs of our fellow men should appeal to us.

Floods of Thankfulness

Our missionaries in foreign fields find that in no other way can they gain the confidence of the natives, and win them, as in ministering to their physical needs. Brother F. A. Stahl, of Bolivia, relates an experience that shows how such work

took away not simply hatred, but even the prejudice of his Indian neighbors toward him. Some months ago he moved to a place on the outskirts of La Paz, in a settlement of Inca Indians. From the first he found a strong feeling among the Incas against him, a feeling which is general among that people against all white men.

Brother Stahl's garden is watered by irrigation, and an Indian has charge of turning the water on and off. When Brother Stahl asked for water, he could not get it. He went to see about it, but no water came.

The Indian chief who lived neighbor to him soon fell ill; and as he failed to get relief at the hospital, Brother Stahl visited him and gave him treatments, with the result that he recovered. The Indians flocked in to see the treatments given, and were greatly rejoiced to find their chief restored to health.

“Then,” says Brother Stahl, “the water began to come into my garden. They let it run until we were nearly flooded, and I had to send word to turn it off.”

A Double Blessing

While the efforts we put forth in helping others are a blessing to them, a greater blessing comes to us. Paul understood this when he wrote: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” “If thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday: and the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.”

Sermons With Hands and Feet

Souls won to the truth will be another blessed result of showing sympathy for others, and lending them a helping hand. Mr. Moody once said: “The people of this land have been almost preached to death. What we want is to preach more sermons with our hands and feet—to carry the gospel to the people by acts of kindness.” Our neighbors may be able to resist our arguments and combat our theories, but they can not well resist our acts of love. Let us, then,—

“Do all the good we can To all the people we can In all the ways we can As long as ever we can.” N. Z. TOWN.

How to Write Missionary Letters

(Third reading)

There are many things which might be included under the head of missionary correspondence. A letter of sympathy to a brother or sister in trial; a word of remembrance to the absent church-member; a kindly message to the young people who have scattered out from the home church; a letter of encouragement to the lonely Sabbath-keeper; a written Godspeed to the missionary in the field,—all these might properly be called missionary letters, and far too few of them are written.

But what is generally understood by the term “missionary correspondence,” is the effort to reach those not of our faith, to whom reading-matter is perhaps being sent, and to interest them in the distinctive truth for this time. This work is more or less familiar to most of us. Much good has been accomplished through it; but how much more might have been done if all who have been engaged in it had worked faithfully, only eternity will tell. There is a constant temptation to fall into careless or mechanical ways of doing missionary work of any kind; and in writing letters there is an opportunity to do this. Faithfulness here means a great deal.

A Right Start

Nothing can be of greater importance than the end sought in missionary correspondence; and if we would apply the same principle of careful planning here as elsewhere, many fatal mistakes would be avoided. Many think the first letter is of little consequence,—merely a card or something of the kind to “let them know where the paper comes from,”—so it is written without thought or prayer, and a precious opportunity to send God's blessing to a needy soul is lost. “First impressions” are just as vivid in written messages as in personal greetings. However few the words, or guarded the expressions, in the first letter, let it bear with it the Spirit of God, fresh from the altar of a living faith and a consecrated life.

Draw Out Facts

In taking up this work with a stranger, we must constantly draw out facts upon which to base our work, else we are continually groping in the dark, and are more than likely to overthrow the very confidence we wish to establish. If the only object were to get an answer, there would be less trouble in gaining it; but the real object is to get such an answer as will show that cordial relations have been established, and at the same time give us such information that the second letter may be written intelligently and with a definite point in view.

An illustration will make this clear. Perhaps the following is sent:—

Letter

“DEAR SIR: I have sent you a few copies of the Signs of the Times. I consider it an excellent paper, and hope you have found pleasure in reading it.”

Reply

“DEAR MADAM: I have received the papers you mentioned, and consider them good reading, but do not feel able to subscribe for them at present.”

This is sufficient to show that while the letter has been kindly and completely answered, the receiver was rather mystified, and the writer is not as well prepared to write the second letter as he was the first. The fault is in the careless way in which the first letter was written. There is nothing to call out any definite information, hence none is given.

Writing the First Letter

In writing the first letter, we should plan for future work. It is necessary to find out whether the paper has been received and read with interest, whether the recipient would be glad to receive it regularly, and if it would be agreeable to have it sent free of cost. It is very desirable, also, to learn something of his religious belief, and in what special subjects he is most interested. Sometimes the desired information will be obtained by calling attention to some specified article in the literature sent, and asking an opinion concerning it. Let the article be one, however, which will not be likely to stir up controversy. It is well also to enclose with the first letter a stamped and addressed envelope for reply.

Some Good Replies

We select the following as fair samples of how such a letter will be answered:—

“I received your letter and some copies of the Signs. I like the paper very much, and would be glad to have you send it to me if it is not too much trouble. I would like, also, some tracts that treat on the sleep of the dead, and any other subject you choose to send.”

“I thank you for the paper I have been receiving. I have read it with a great deal of interest. It certainly has been a great benefit to me spiritually, and I am particularly interested in what it has to say about the second coming of Christ. It is a subject that I love to dwell upon.”

“I thank you very much for the papers. I think they are good spiritual reading, although I do not agree with them in the Sabbath-keeping. I do not see why so many people have lived and died happy in keeping the wrong day if it is such a terrible sin. If I thought I were wrong, I should try to change.”

As will be seen, in nearly every instance, there is a definite statement in regard to religious belief, so we may judge, in a measure, how to work.

In Christian Humility

Let us be sure, also, that the work is undertaken in the spirit of true Christian humility. We love to find in others a teachable spirit. Then let us cultivate the same in ourselves. Let us be willing to give due consideration to the opinions of others.

Awaken a Spirit of Inquiry

A person who is not hungry is only disgusted by an attempt to force him to eat. So it is useless to try to satisfy a soul that is not unsatisfied. When once the spirit of inquiry has been awakened, it should be carefully sustained and directed. While doing this, we should not seem to lead in the choice of subjects to be considered. This is the privilege of the one with whom we are laboring, and we should carefully suit our efforts to his inquiries. The object is not to tell what we believe, but to find out what the other person thinks.

Too Many Ideas Confuse

We should be careful not to cause confusion of mind by presenting too many new ideas at once. If we would only think of the long and laborious paths through which many of us stumbled before we arrived at our present position on what we call the plain truth of the Bible, we would have more patience and tenderness toward others.

Avoid Arguments

A sharp argument may convince a person; but to humiliate a man, and make him feel that you have obtained a victory over him, is not always the best way to gain his soul. We desire people to receive not only the truth, but the love of it.

The Grace of Patience

A large proportion of missionary letters will perhaps never be answered. To some it is a great task to use a pen, and especially to express their thoughts to a

stranger. But do not be easily discouraged. After a reasonable length of time a second letter may be sent, and sometimes even a third if it is written with perfect kindness and courtesy. But judgment must be used in the matter, lest people be wearied with letters. There is one thing, however, which we can always do with no fear of unpleasant results, and that is pray. Lay every case individually before the Lord, and seek him for personal guidance. When names are dropped from your list, do not drop them from your heart, but continue to pray that by some means they may be reached and saved.

“Thine is the seed-time; God alone Beholds the end of what is sown; Beyond our vision, weak and dim, The harvest-time is hid with him.” MRS. A. E. ELLIS.