p. 22 | Skilled Workmen by M. E. Ellis

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 6, 1906

Skilled Workmen

By M. E. Ellis

“O patient Christ! Did once thy tender, earnest eyes Look down the solemn centuries And see the smallness of our lives?”

PLANS and methods change to meet the varying circumstances of the hour, but Paul’s advice to Timothy as to how best to prepare ’himself for the Lord’s work, has never been improved upon, and never can be. “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” This single statement contains the way, shows the result, and tells us the object of Christian education.

“Study”—The Way

The object that Seventh-day Adventist young people should have is to help give the advent message to the world in this generation. That is, their abiding faith in the third angel’s message, and their belief that Christ is coming soon, will cause them to exert every possible effort that can be made in connection with their legitimate work for a livelihood, to spread this message, and any other course of action is a denial of the faith. Then all study should be with this end in view. And instead of the shortness of the time encouraging hasty preparation for the work, or merely a thrusting into it with no preparation at all, it should rather show more than ever the need of thorough preparation that will enable the one having it to accomplish for God in one month what it would take an unskilled worker years to do.

The Result Possible

It is possible to have such a preparation. It is possible for you to have it. I will venture to say that of the hundreds who will read this article there are not fifty who could not obtain a good education if they should set out to do it. But remember a desire is not enough. “There is all the difference in the world between a lukewarm desire and a red-hot purpose.” Make it your business to study,—study your needs, study the world’s needs, and try to accomplish the grand result of being “a workman that needeth not to be ashamed.” This will follow if you conscientiously “study to show thyself approved unto God.”

Then we are ready to accomplish—

The Grandest Work on Earth

—“rightly dividing the word of truth.” It takes study to do that effectually nowadays. Consecrated illiteracy is better than no consecration at all, much better; but how much more effective is consecrated talent, developed by good mental discipline! It took the disciples three and one-half years under the personal direction of the Master Teacher to get ready to spread the gospel tidings to the world; no one will deny that Paul’s learning stood him in good stead many times. Wisdom and consecration—this is a combination that makes the strongholds of Satan tremble.

Experts Needed

The engine of a great factory refused to work. Heat the boilers as hot as they could, the engine would barely turn the machinery. The engineer worked hard for days to find the cause, while the impatient army of employees lost their time and wages, and the owners their dividends, until finally it was decided to send for an expert. Within two minutes after his arrival he discovered a valve out of order, and quickly adjusted it, and directed the steam to be turned on. Instantly great power was developed, and the hundreds of employees rushed to their places, and the work began in earnest. The delighted manager called for the expert’s bill, who named fifty dollars as his charge, to which the manager promptly demurred, saying he was not authorized by his company to pay anybody fifty dollars for two minutes’ work. So he directed him to make out a bill for the consideration of the board of directors. The following was the bill rendered:—

To fixing engine........$ .25 To knowing how ........ 49.75 $50.00

The Board at once ordered the bill paid, declaring twenty-five cents was very low for fixing the engine, and that $49.75 was but a fair compensation for knowing how, since it had required many years of hard study to become an expert.

We are living in a great factory, and we have a great work to do. We are manufacturing character to last through eternity, and we are endeavoring to show others how this may best be done. Sometimes the work seems to come to crises where the engines for some cause refuse to work. It is then that we need the experts, the men and women with skill and training and knowledge, who will know how to take hold of the situation, fix the defective valves, start the machinery going, and inspire the thousands of workers with fresh zeal. There must be those among us who can earn that $49.75, but they must be educated and well trained or they never can. Are you training yourself for that work?

M. E. ELLIS.