The Call to Pioneer Service by E. A. Sutherland

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 29, 1910

The Call to Pioneer Service

By E. A. Sutherland

E. A. SUTHERLAND

WHEN the land of Canaan was divided among the children of Israel, there was a considerable part of the inheritance of each tribe that remained in the possession of the Canaanites. The Lord left these Canaanites in the land to prove the generation of Israelites that was too young to fight in the days of Joshua. See Judges 3.

In this Canaan experience is an example of the thorough and effective manner of God's teaching. “Behold, God exalteth by his power: who teacheth like him?” Job 36:22. He might easily have removed all the Canaanites; but he saw that the development of Israel depended upon their making an effort to drive out the Canaanites, and that certain essential traits would be lacking in the character of the younger Israelites if they did not have this experience.

When the third angel's message was first given, the pioneers did the same kind of work as that done by Joshua and his associates in Canaan. The Lord gave these pioneers the essential principles of the third angel's message, but he intended that the younger ones following should continue to develop the work. God did not fully develop the truth through the pioneers, nor did he do all the work required to close up the message. We younger men and women need the experience that will come by doing pioneer work and overcoming difficulties.

The younger Israelites, instead of driving out the Canaanites, learned their ways and joined with them. We younger Seventh-day Adventists are in grave danger of having the same experience. The reform was started by the pioneers, but this message is to be developed by us. There is a call for people who can endure hardness, to enter unworked fields.

For years, for example, our people have been instructed that two or three families should settle together in some needy place in the South, and there establish and maintain a Christian school and a place for giving simple treatments, — a place where the principles of soil cultivation and health reform could be taught; where the people could be visited at their own firesides, and cottage meetings held with them; and where literature could be distributed, and other work done.

Hundreds of families from the North should come into this field. The experiences gained here in doing the work in this simple way will be an excellent training for missionary work in foreign fields. Let me cite one instance to show the blessing that awaits the young Seventh-day Adventist who is willing to join the army to drive out the Canaanites. The following is from a letter recently received from a teacher in the youngest of the farm schools established in the South:—

“Last Monday we opened school in the public-school building with an attendance of thirty-five pupils. This attendance increased to forty, and we expect ten more this morning. We make Sunday a missionary day, attending Sunday-school and prayer-meeting. The people are interested in our Bible studies, and several have begun to keep the Sabbath. All seemed pleased because we have started the school. We are receiving a blessing from this work, and pray that more schools may be established in needy places of the South.”

Many young men and women should seek such an experience as these young people are having. Our failure to go in and possess the land is a disregard of the principles that the Lord has given us.

Madison, Tenn.