Missionary Societies by John Matteson

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 5, 1871

Missionary Societies.

By John Matteson

S. D. ADVENTISTS need to become missionaries, and the move in this direction is certainly timely. Some churches resemble a large family of grown children, hanging around home, having nothing to do. They become selfish and idle; and idleness is a mother of evil. A key that is used keeps always bright. Rust eats more than labor wears. The early churches abounded in “labors of love,” and from them “sounded out the word of the Lord, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place,” so that their faith was spread abroad. 1 Thess. 1:3, 8. “Their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.”

If they, with their smaller facilities, could work so fast, how ought we to be stirred up to work now, when the time is so short, and the means for spreading the truth are so bountiful. Oh! that God’s people would get into a position where the Lord could pour his blessings upon them. Then they would forget self, and live for others, to do others good. This was the spirit of the Master. It was also the spirit of his immediate followers. Through the dark ages thousands of noble men and women sacrificed their lives to spread the truth and gather sheaves for the garner. And shall the closing work be one of selfishness and idleness? No; a thousand times, No. The last message of mercy will stir the people. It will stir them mightily. Those who will not work can be excused. They can be excused from the work, and also from the crown.

Others will step into the ranks and fill up the armies of Israel. The battle of the Lord will be fought. The humble and self-sacrificing ones will gain victories. Those who watch and pray, and truly wait for the return of their Master, will not be glued to this world. They that sow in tears are soon to reap with joy. Some excuse themselves. They have received only one talent. They are afraid to use it, and think the safest way is to hide it in the earth. What a terrible delusion.

Many say they lack consecration. If they were only more consecrated, then they could labor. God knows that this is too true. But what a miserable excuse. Let the call for labor arouse you to see the necessity of immediate consecration. Let it lead you to give up all you are and have to the Lord; to subdue your perverted appetites and passions, and submit to the Lord in all things; to draw water from the wells of salvation until your own soul shall be full of love to labor for others in meekness and love; to suffer and toil until the glorious rest of the kingdom shall abundantly reward all your toils.

Brethren, spread the truth. Take hold of this work in earnest and in the fear of God.

J. MATTESON.