Your ShelfYour Projects

The Missionary Spirit

8%

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Apr 10, 1884

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 10, No. 15.

Read the full edition

The Missionary Spirit.

THE missionary spirit is born from above. It is received in the act of regeneration. It is the spirit in man that is willing to make sacrifices for others, and even suffer in their behalf. It is the unselfish spirit, that sympathizes with the afflicted, comforts the grief-stricken, ministers to the wants of the needy and saves a soul from death. It is a divine energy in man manifesting itself in good words and deeds. The mission spirit seeks the lost in the mountains of transgression, in the deep mines of iniquity, in the highways and hedges, and in the wilderness of sin.
The mission spirit moved upon the heart of Peter in a vision, and he said, "Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons; but in every nation, he that feareth him and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him." The mission spirit is not exclusive and partial, but embraces all the human race.
The mission spirit impelled the apostle Paul to go from city to city proclaiming the good news of salvation and establishing the churches. No obstacle hindered the apostle, no danger intimidated, and persecution even to death's door could not quench this spirit. This spirit braved danger, crossed swollen rivers, passed over steep mountains, and embarked upon the tumultuous sea, to preach Christ and him crucified to kings and nations. The churches he established are monuments to the mission spirit. The letters he wrote were directed to mission churches. A certain one has said, "Had it not been for the foreign mission spirit, the Christian religion would never have seen its second century."
The reformation was the spirit of missions in opposition to the spirit of self-seeking, self-glory, and selfishness. It was the antagonism of the spiritual mind with the fleshly mind. It was the work of faith that justified, the work of love that purified, and the work of the Holy Spirit that instructed in righteousness. This spirit was contagious. It inspired a Calvin to defend, a Bunyan to illustrate the life and experience of a Christian, and a Wesley and Whitefield to preach to the poor.
It was the spirit of missions that fired the heart of Dr. Judson to lay broad foundations on which to build for Christ in India. From his heroic bravery in trials the most distressing, in discouragements the most perplexing, and in labors unceasing, the Christian world have been inspired and energized to do for missions.
The spirit of missions is widely diffused. It throbs in the heart of every faithful consistent worker for Christ. It unifies and organizes the Christian forces. It is the spirit of unselfish prayer, of whole-hearted consecration, and of unmeasured love. It not only calls for silver and gold, but skilled hands, wise heads, and willing hearts.
The mission spirit is intelligent. It calls for the educated, the self-sacrificing, and the wise of the body of Christ. It requires the gifted to meet in argument the opposers of Christianity. The native teachers are the first among the converts in natural endowments and acquired gifts. Every member of the body of Christ ought to study the life and journeys of the apostle Paul, and the life of Dr. Judson, and others, until the spirit of missions is revived, enlightened, and intensified. And then each individual Christian should study the different mission fields of the world, and learn something of their condition and needs. The sympathy for missions should be an intelligent one. And the giving should be with a knowledge of how the moneys are employed and the results accomplished. Missions depend upon the saints, those who live in Christ, and for Christ, and upon a knowledge of the fields, and the men and women employed.
The mission spirit is aggressive. There is no foe that can intimidate, no obstacle prevent its progress, no mountain of difficulties but can be removed. It is patient, persevering, and persistent. It is animated by the Spirit of Christ, peaceful in the midst of opposing forces, calm in the wildest tumult, and confident of success. It pushes out into the regions beyond, and ever responds to the Macedonian cry, "Come over and help us." The mission fields are ever widening, the work enlarging, the interest deepening and the fruits increasing. The missionary is sent into a new field, and soon calls for more workers and more teachers. The harvest is world-wide, "but the laborers are few."
The mission spirit pushes out into new fields and presses on to greater victories. It is not satisfied with the unfinished work. The aggressive spirit of missions would send every available man into the fields "white for the harvest," and all consecrated moneys and property into the treasury of the Lord. Prof. Christlieb says, "If a church can do nothing for foreign missions, she will soon begin to die at home." The mission spirit is then a necessity to the growth and prosperity of a church—to its spiritual development and life.
The mission spirit is fruitful in broadening Christian character, in developing the Spirit of Christ, and in building up the churches on the true foundation of future success. It is fruitful to every individual Christian in enlarged views of the work of Christ, and in deepening the love to God and for the souls of men. The Lord hath need of your faith in missions, that you may pray and pay for their success.
The mind of Christ is energized in every reform and in every benefaction for the good of mankind. It animates and stimulates the mission spirit and zeal. It guides and directs every worker in the vineyard, and every winner of souls. The mind of Christ is manifest in every act of kindness, the giving of a cup of cold water in his name; in every act of charity; the feeding of the hungry; in the teaching of the gospel, and in the discipling of the nations. There is an out-flow from the Sun of Righteousness, as the out-flow of rays from the sun in the heavens, and efficient are they who feel its warmth and receive its life-giving power.—Standard.