A Plea for Our Missions
By Arthur G. Daniells
THE missionary enterprises of this denomination are an index of our standing. They reveal the spiritual life and vitality of the believers. They record the progress of the message. They give the surest evidence of the nearness of the end; for not until this message of the coming King has been preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations can the end come. In view of these facts, what must be our attitude toward our missions? Can we be uninformed regarding them, indifferent to them, or fail to support them except at great loss both to ourselves and to those around us who need salvation? The purpose of this plea for our missions is to sound a trumpet call to the whole denomination to turn their attention to this problem. Think of our missions. Read the reports that come from them. Pray for their prosperity. Study their conditions and needs. Give steadily and liberally for their support. O, if all our ministers and church officers would become fired with a true and consistent zeal in behalf of our missions, what a change would come over the denomination! Let no one fear this would mean the neglect and ruin of the home work. Through the spirit of prophecy the Lord has said:— The home-missionary work will be further advanced in every way when a more liberal, self-denying, self-sacrificing spirit is manifested for the prosperity of foreign missions; for the prosperity of the home work depends largely, under God, upon the reflex influence of the evangelical work done in countries afar off. It is in working actively to supply the necessities of the cause of God that we bring our souls in touch with the Source of all power.—“Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. VI, page 27. Brethren, this inspired statement must be acted upon. It enunciates a most important truth. And it is confirmed by the experience of all missionaries, ministers, and churches in all ages who have taken the course indicated. O, may the Spirit of the Master attend this appeal for missions, that it may establish a wider and better acquaintance with them, awaken a larger and deeper sympathy for them, and lead to far greater zeal in carrying forward their interests. The problem of missions is by no means a dry, uninteresting, dismal problem. To the Christian, the history of Christian missions is the most interesting and valuable part of human history. The miracles of missions of both ancient and modern times are calculated to fill the hearts of God’s people with boldness and zeal for the prosecution of missionary enterprises. The records of our own missions are filled with the most encouraging experiences. The third angel’s message is to be proclaimed with a loud voice to “every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people.” To those who receive that message, Christ says, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” This command calls for a decision on the part of Seventh-day Adventists. Have we made it? Is obedience to that command a fundamental part of our program as a denomination? Do we all fully understand that we are to enlarge our missionary enterprises until every tribe of people on earth is reached, and the whole world is lightened with the light of this message?