An Army for the Liberation of Humanity
By Edward A. Sutherland
“WHAT costly works of art, what splendid galleries of sculpture or paintings, are comparable in value to the treasures we have in our children?” The answer to this question we have either forgotten, or else we do not believe it, and yet God himself said that the first work of the church in this generation is to educate its children. “Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free,” So you have read. But do you realize, that the world is full of slaves,—slaves in misery as abject as that which bound the children of Israel when under the lash of the taskmasters of Egypt? To Christians has been given the message to liberate these slaves. This is an individual work. No general proclamation sent forth from some center of power will bring freedom. If that were the way in which the gospel is to be given to the world, doubtless some liberator would arise, but when the burden rests upon each one of us, years roll on, and nations remain in bondage. Since there are thousands to be freed, there must be an army of liberators. Who23are they? and where are they? We have been told that the children are the hope of future missionary work. What are you doing to prepare them for their life work? Not only are these soldiers scattered, but there are, at the present time, no officers ready to drill this army of workers. Many who should be at their post of duty are themselves still in captivity. Think of thirty thousand children of Adventist parents waiting for teachers, and then think of the thousands, and even millions, in this and other countries who must be liberated before the coming of the Son of man. Are you a soldier? Are you training for this great campaign, which, before the victory can be claimed, will encircle the globe, and which, in the hour of victory, will usher in the King of heaven? The thought of the great work to be accomplished almost crushes one, but it can be done, or else the command would not be given that it should be done. Means for training these teacher-soldiers or soldier-teachers—men and women who shall organize this army of liberators—are already in existence. Summer schools are conducted in various parts of the country. The summer assembly at Berrien Springs, Mich., is conducted especially for this class of workers. If there were no opportunities to prepare for service, young people might be excusable, but to-day our young people are without excuse. If the needs of the hour do not arouse us, what will? E. A. SUTHERLAND.