p. 9 | Drilling for Service by A. R. OGDEN

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 21, 1902

Drilling for Service

By A. R. OGDEN

A. R. OGDEN

“Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.” 2 Tim. 2:3. We have been forcibly impressed with the words of this text as day after day we have watched the training of the Chilean soldiers. Almost daily they are drilling within sight of our house.

About three months ago several hundred young men of Iquique began a service in training. As in many other countries, so in Chile, a term of training for military service is required of every native young man. It has been a matter of interest to watch their development from the beginning. During the first days of their training it was impossible for them to perform the most simple exercises in unity. It was evident that they were not disciplined. They were unskillful in the tactics of war. But now, after just a few weeks of training and practice, how different the aspect! One who had not watched their development would scarcely believe that it was the same company of men. What made the change?—It was not their uniform; for that first day of their service they were clad with the same uniform as now. It was not because of a change of climate. The change has been made because of the training received. Their movements now are as the actions of one man. This is what gives character and strength to an army. The power of any company of soldiers depends upon their discipline and unity of action, more than upon their number. Each one is able to do just the right thing at the right time. A failure to do the right thing at just the right moment has turned many an apparent victory into defeat. A recognition of this fact is what causes nations to devote millions of money and the time of many of her most able-bodied men to a training in time of peace that will give to her power in time of war.

True it is that “the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.” Luke 16:8.

An unorganized, untrained, or disunited army is a defeated army. These things that are true of soldiers warring with carnal weapons are equally as applicable to God's people, whose weapons are not carnal. “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds.” 2 Cor. 10:4, 5. As a disorganized army is a defeated army, so a church not united is defeated; the enemy has the victory. But a perfectly united church, as well as a well-organized army, is a victorious church.

But what gives to the soldier ability to do the right thing and to do it quickly? The answer is evident,—his training. Daily exercise and practice in the tactics of war make him quick, and able to act in perfect harmony with his comrades. So the Lord would have his church, his people, all united in one, working harmoniously to give the message quickly to the world.

What on earth is more heavenly than a church working unitedly and walking in union? Union is strength.

But how is it that the soldier knows what to do?—He has had a training, day after day being spent on the drilling ground. So the Lord's people should be daily and as earnestly striving for the Master's kingdom. “The time is to be spent, not in idle waiting, but in diligent working.”