An Important Series of Meetings by M. E. Kern

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 29, 1915

An Important Series of Meetings

By M. E. Kern

The Conditions

The importance of saving and training our young people has often been dwelt upon. “The work that lies nearest to our church members is to become interested in our youth.”

In writing of the necessity of earnest personal labor for the salvation of the young, Mrs. E. G. White once said, “As we view the magnitude of the work, and see how little it is appreciated, we feel like groaning in spirit, and exclaiming, Who will accept these grave responsibilities, and watch for souls as they that must give an account?”

And again, “Very much has been lost to the cause of God by lack of attention to the young.” That there is a great work to be done for and by our young people all who appreciate our situation and work will admit.

The Needs

Earnest efforts are being made by the denomination to change these conditions. Our Sabbath schools are instructing the children and youth in God’s Word. Our schools are endeavoring to give a Christian education to those who attend them. In 1907 the General Conference organized our young people’s work as a separate department of the general work, in order that undivided attention might be given to the great work of reaching and training the raw recruits. The young people have responded nobly to the efforts put forth in their behalf. But a great work remains to be done.

We have an earnest corps of Missionary Volunteer secretaries who carry this burden on their hearts. One writes: “We have some splendid material among our young people here, and I am very solicitous that our cause have the benefit of their talents. My constant ambition is to help these dear young people to gain a deep Christian experience. I am confident that nothing will help them in these days, aside from this. As young people’s workers, we have a great duty along this line. Too many times we are inclined to trust to plans and theory, and neglect to enter into the lives of the youth with the idea of helping them to learn the character of God. There is much artificial religion among many of our people, which, no doubt, has crept in from the worldly churches. My great perplexity is how to counteract this inrushing tide.” Another says: “I love the work [educational and Missionary Volunteer] more than any other in which I ever engaged, and my desire is to be so humble that God can teach me what a tremendous responsibility and privilege it is to work with him in behalf of the young.” Another expresses, I believe, the general sentiment of all when he says, “The coming year must mean more to me and to this department than it has at any time in the past.” These workers feel the weight of this great need, and they long for more knowledge of how to do their work, and for more power.

Proposed Meetings

It is the purpose of the North American Division Conference during this year, to give all these workers for the young an opportunity for study and counsel. First, there is to be a council of the Educational and Missionary Volunteer Departments with a few representative workers from all parts of the field, at which the questions confronting us will be freely discussed and acted upon. Then in order to reach all our educational and Missionary Volunteer workers, it is planned to hold six large conventions. The schedule of these meetings is as follows:—

Educational and Missionary Volunteer Council ............ June 4-14 Pacific Union Convention ............ June 18-26 North Pacific and Western Canadian Union Convention ............ June 29 to July 6 Western Canadian, Northern, Central, and Southwestern Union Convention ............ July 9-17 Lake and Eastern Canadian Union Convention ............ July 19-26 Eastern Canadian, Columbia, and Atlantic Union Convention ............ July 29 to August 4 Southern and Southeastern Union Convention ............ August 6-14

It is hoped that by the blessing of God these meetings will definitely influence for good every child and youth in the North American Division.

A speaker at the Missionary Volunteer Young People’s convention eight years ago, when the Missionary Volunteer Department was launched, said: “Niagara Falls has rolled over that precipice for ages without doing good to any one; recently men have begun to harness its energy, and light and power are being sent throughout the country. God has given the Young People’s Department the work of harnessing the Niagara power that is in our young people, and directing it so as to carry light and blessing to the world that sits in darkness.” The times to which we have come demand that we quicken our pace and push this work as never before.

A Call to Prayer

“The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” The main purpose of this article is to ask those readers of the REVIEW who have a burden for our young people to pray earnestly for the success of these meetings. As workers for the young people, we feel that we must have more wisdom and more power. Pray that God will clarify our vision, that we may know what Israel ought to do for her children in a time like this. Pray that the plans and policies of the world in educational and young people’s society matters may not count too much in our councils, but that we may understand God’s plans for the Adventist people.

M. E. KERN.