OUR MISSION by T.

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · May 5, 1898

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 24, No. 18.

“OUR MISSION.”

By T.

WE mean to suggest by the above heading that we can now speak to every reader of the SIGNS about “our Mission.” As you already know, our Mission is located at No. 641 Commercial Street, San Francisco, Cal. And you also are aware of the fact that the object of our Mission is to seek to help our most unfortunate fellow-men; to reach down to those who are at the bottom of the ladder and too much disheartened to look up. Yes, we hope to reach—we have reached—some who have even fallen from the ladder into the gulf below.

Did you ever try to imagine how you would feel if you had no home, nor money, nor friends? Life under such circumstances would hardly be worth living, would it? Yet there are hundreds dragging themselves along who are just in that condition. They are much of the time cold and hungry, and surely are quite miserable. Real happiness only comes to them in their dreams, or during some flitting moment when the present is obscured by the memories of the past.

Perhaps you think that these dirty, and sometimes loathsome-looking creatures, are too low down to have ever had a noble thought or impulse. Well, suppose that it is true. You have noble impulses, do you not? Then why not meet these poor fellows and impart to them some of the hopes, good cheer, and Christian sentiments that have been such an inspiration in your own life? It will bring a joy to your soul that you have never felt before, to see the hearts of these outcasts become tender and their eyes moistened with tears, as they come in contact with a Christianity that is deeper than hollow words, and broader and more practical than pharisaical prayers. Hundreds of hearts are sinking in despair, not knowing the remedy for their troubles. As soon as the pure Gospel in all its ways of practical helpfulness is presented to them, they recognize in it the one thing for which their souls have been longing.

Then how good it is that in our Mission just such work is provided for! Many of the readers of the SIGNS have taken a practical interest in our Mission, by sending means to support it. But the work must not stop with simple giving of our means. We should give ourselves also to this practical work for the Master. T.