The Need of Answering the Macedonian Call by M. W. Lewis

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jan 9, 1908

The Need of Answering the Macedonian Call

By M. W. Lewis

“AND a vision appeared to Paul in the night; there stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us.” The Lord had commissioned his Holy Spirit to visit the people of that country to prepare the way for the entrance of the gospel; and when he saw a favorable opportunity, he made it known to the apostle Paul by means of a vision, so that he might see the situation and the opportune moment to introduce the gospel message in that land.

Now let this experience of the apostle Paul, and the Macedonian cry, “Come over . . . and help us,” serve to illustrate the true situation in our work as it is to-day: (1) God is sending forth his Holy Spirit into every nation on the globe, preparing the nations all over the world to receive our missionaries favorably. (2) Paul was educated, not only in the sciences of that day, but he was educated in the Old Testament Scriptures. They proved a great blessing to him and to his work in turning many people from darkness to light. (3) He responded at once to the call to go into Macedonia as a missionary; so it should be now, for the call is extremely urgent for men and women to go into the different parts of the world, and thus respond to the Macedonian cry, “Come over . . . and help us,” which is bursting forth from every land. (4) As the spirit of prophecy was manifest in those days, pointing out the fields that should be entered, so it is to-day. The spirit of prophecy has been urging upon this people for many years the importance

of educational institutions where young men and women could be qualified to go into other countries, and thus carry the light of this closing message to the entire world.

We are unable to supply the demand made upon us at this time for laborers, for the call comes not only from Macedonia, but from every kindred, tongue, people, and nation on the face of the globe. We should have more Hannahs giving their children to their Saviour for service. We should have more Samuels giving their young hearts to the Lord to be used in saving souls. There should be more Isaiahs crying out, “Here am I; send me.” May God roll the burden of souls upon us as a people, and enable us to respond to this Macedonian call for laborers.

M. W. LEWIS.