Missionary Volunteer Reading Course by M. E. Kern

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 12, 1907

Missionary Volunteer Reading Course

By M. E. Kern

It is a great psychological fact that the mind takes the level of the things upon which it continually feeds. “As he thinketh in his heart, so is he.” “The mind occupied with commonplace matters only, becomes dwarfed and enfeebled. If never tasked to comprehend grand and far-reaching truths, it after a time loses the power of growth.”—“Education,” page 124. The Lord has committed to us the divine principles of Christian education. These principles are to be applied in the home, as well as in the school.

In many of our homes far more attention should be given to the matter of selecting proper reading for the children. Many of our people are held in the very snare of the enemy by the pernicious reading that floods our land, reading that “unfits the soul to comprehend the great problems of duty and destiny.”

The recent Sabbath-school and Young People’s Convention at Mount Vernon, Ohio, recommended that our young people heed the light given on this question, and institute a crusade against harmful reading. Read the recommendations and discussions in the report on this question.

It is further recommended that in order to assist our young people in the choice of good reading, and to furnish them a means of home culture along right lines, the Young People’s Missionary Volunteer Department should conduct a reading course. This has been arranged, and will appear in the Instructor of October 1, and continue eight months. The books chosen are—

“Early Writings,” by Mrs. E. G. White, 75 cents. This work gives an intensely interesting account of Sister White’s early experiences and views, and a brief survey of the whole controversy between Christ and Satan.

“Into All the World,” by Amos R. Wells, cloth, 50 cents; paper, 35 cents. In this work we have a brief study of the mission fields of the world, and biographical studies of the great heroes of the cross in mission lands. There will be sent with this book, free of cost, a copy of the booklet “Outline of Mission Fields,” which is a sketch of our own missions. The reading of this book and the booklet in connection with a beautiful colored map of the world, showing the prevailing religions (costing 45 cents, or, mounted, 65 cents), will make a very profitable study.

“Pastor Hsi, One of China’s Christians” (cloth, $1; paper, 50 cents) is the life story of one of the most remarkable Chinese Christian workers yet developed. It is a marvelous story of the power of God manifested in mission work. The book paints the picture of Chinese life and Christian missions very vividly.

Let our parents and older people lend a helping hand in bringing this course to the attention of our youth. The relation of reading to character building is that of cause and effect. Those who read light, frothy, and sensational literature will have light, frothy, and sensational characters. The characters of those who read the true, pure, and uplifting, will be strengthened for the right. What our young people need is to have their interest and sympathy enlisted in the salvation of the world. Dr. A. T. Pierson truly says, “Facts are the fingers of God. To know the facts of modern missions is the necessary condition to intelligent interest.”

Suggestive questions on the books will appear in the Instructor, and at the close of each book, the Conference Missionary Voluntary Secretary will send out a list of questions for review. All who satisfactorily complete the work will receive a reading course certificate. The books will be read in the order named above. Send your name for enrolment to the conference secretary of the Young People’s Missionary Volunteer Department, and order the books and map from your tract society or publishing house.

M. E. KERN.