Preparation for the Work in Catholic Fields by W. J. Tanner

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 7, 1907

Preparation for the Work in Catholic Fields

By W. J. Tanner

Our work of late has been making great progress in Catholic countries. No doubt dissatisfaction with concordats, and discontent with clerical domination over soul and body, have had something to do with this progress of the message. But granting this, it still remains clear that the unrest that at present exists among Catholics in many parts of the world, is providentially opening up the way for the proclamation of the last message to these people. In view of this, the question may appropriately be raised as to what our schools and colleges can do in the matter of preparing suitable young people to fill the rapidly growing demand for increased forces in these countries.

For the successful preparation of workers for Catholic fields, careful attention must be given to two things above all others; namely, personal piety and Bible doctrine. In a sense, of course, these two essentials are one and the same, for personal piety is but the manifestation of the Word of God in the daily life. But it is these two manifestations of the Word that constitute the only sure and effective weapons for encountering the papacy. That Rome herself recognizes this is evident from the fact that in all her history, she has been equally bitter in her efforts to destroy, not only the Bible Christian, but also the Bible itself, so far as its influence is concerned.

From the foregoing it is safe to conclude that the school or college that does the strongest and most comprehensive work with the Bible, will furnish the best-qualified missionaries for Catholic countries. In this respect Seventh-day Adventist institutions of learning should be the best in the world, from the fact that they have been established for the express purpose of developing a people who “keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus,” which includes all that pertains to the knowledge of the truth and to practical godliness.

We have nothing different to present to Catholics from what we have been presenting to Protestants. The power to reach all nations with the message is in the fundamental principles of the message itself, rather than in some elaborately devised scheme or theory for presenting it. Let all who wish to do a thorough work of preparation for the regions beyond, build upon the foundations of the third angel’s message just as our pioneers taught it.

And not only do the fundamental principles of our faith furnish us with irresistible weapons against the papacy, but the method of expounding and explaining the Scripture which is followed by our people, is hardly less important. This is illustrated by a case reported by our worker in Rome. A gentleman from a high position in the Catholic Church was “impressed,” not only with the truth taught, but also with “the method we employ of letting the Bible explain the Bible.” Those who have carefully read “History of the Reformation” by D’Aubigné, will have observed that it was this method of Bible interpretation that was followed so effectively by the early Reformers.

Among other reasons why this method of Bible teaching is so essential in a Catholic country is the fact that it is the quickest and surest way of gaining the confidence of the intelligent Catholic listener, who soon sees that it is not a Protestant pastor, or Protestant sophistry, but the Bible, the Word of God, that is arraigned against the tenets and doctrines of his church. When he thus sees that the Book, of which, wrongly of course, he believes his church has been the sole and lawful guardian, is not only comprehensible by the “unconsecrated,” but that it is also diametrically opposed to the fundamental principles of his faith, he naturally loses confidence in his former “consecrated” teachers, and becomes possessed with a desire to understand the Word of God for himself.

Preparation for work in Catholic fields, then, includes, among other things, godliness, a knowledge of the Bible, and ability and perseverance to discreetly disseminate the truth according to Scriptural methods. An army of such young people is needed for these fields at the present time.

W. J. TANNER.

Cape Haitien, Hayti.