p. 20 | The Missionary by E. J. W.

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jan 11, 1883

The Missionary.

By E. J. W.

Tract and Missionary Societies.

IN the last article it was shown how each individual may be a missionary. It was shown that it is not optional with the individual, but that every one who professes Christianity must be a missionary; that his standing as a Christian is measured by his diligence and earnestness in working for Christ. The Saviour's words were quoted, "He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me, scattereth abroad." Christians must let their light shine. Not only are they commanded to do so, but it is a necessity. If men have any light, it must shine forth, it cannot be hid; and if they have no light, then they are not Christians. To be a Christian means to be like Christ. But there is no union or similarity between Christ and the world; the word of God declares that whosoever will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. James 4:4. It therefore follows that the disciples of Christ will be different from the world. The daily life of the true Christian will be such that those who see him can at once detect the difference between him and his worldly associates, without being told of his profession. Does any one say that this rule is too strict? Then tell us of what use it is to profess to be a Christian, or even to be one. If Christianity does not make a man better than the unchristian world, then it is a failure, and worse than a failure, for that is what it professes to do. But there is no question about the matter; true Christians are different from the world. Two things that are entirely unlike cannot be mistaken for each other. Light is never mistaken for darkness; but there is no more difference between light and darkness than there is between the real follower of Christ and the unbelieving world.

Some will say, "If this is the case, if Christians are so easily distinguished from the world, then there are but few who are Christians indeed." We are obliged to admit this. The Bible plainly teaches that the followers of Christ will ever be few in number, and that many who are the loudest in their profession, are not recognized by Christ as being his followers. Matt. 7:22, 23.

But while we are doing this sort of work for Christ, we may also be doing what many would term "active labor." To this end various missionary societies have been started. All Protestant denominations have engaged in this work, and some have obtained in foreign fields many converts that for piety and zeal often put to shame those who have been brought up under Christian influence. These missionary enterprises afford a field of labor for many earnest workers. The world will never know the sacrifices that have been made by the devoted men and women who have literally "left all" for Christ's sake. And whatever their success may have been in obtaining converts, it is safe to say that their own souls were watered. This is one of the invariable accompaniments of laboring for the good of others; the worker gains strength for himself.

But all cannot go to foreign lands, yet all must be missionaries. There are comparatively few that can take part in these active missionary labors, even though they were prepared for it. To be sure, missionary societies are often organized in various churches, and occasional reports are read from the foreign missionary, and each one has an opportunity to contribute for the support of the mission. Still it is impossible for the majority to get in full harmony with the work, although they wish it well. The foreign field is to them a vague, indefinite place; it is difficult for them to realize the situation of things in India, Africa, and China. They do not feel any personal interest in the work, but give of their means to support it because it is a duty. And from simple inability to realize the situation, they do not give any adequate sum for the support of the cause, and that little is given in a half-hearted manner. Of course, these persons who take little or no interest in missions of any kind, must suffer spiritually. They literally freeze to death; they do not work enough to keep themselves warm. The lack of interest in missionary work must be regarded as the great cause of the spiritual lethargy which is now so prevalent. It is evident that if every member of the church could have some personal work to do in the missionary line, it would add greatly to the spiritual life of the church. There is a great deal of useless material in the church that might be put to good service. A person who is doing nothing is worse than useless, for he hinders those who are engaged in work.

We know of no plan that has been devised whereby all the members of the church may be set to work, except the Tract and Missionary Societies organized by the Seventh-day Adventists. The object of these societies is to do missionary labor both at home and abroad. All the heathen are not in foreign lands, and even among Christians there are very many who need instruction in regard to many parts of the word of God. The plan adopted is substantially this: Whenever a church of Seventh-day Adventists is formed, the missionary society is at once organized. This is as much a matter of course as is the Sabbath-school. Every member is requested to join. Donations are made for the purpose of securing a supply of tracts and books. A club of from ten to five hundred copies of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES is ordered, not for the use of the members of the society, but to be re-mailed to various parts of the world, wherever interested readers may be found. The names and addresses are obtained in many ways. Sometimes a member will send the SIGNS to a friend in whose spiritual welfare he has an interest. But more often the papers are sent to entire strangers. Names and addresses are obtained from newspapers, directories, or by correspondence. It matters little who the individual may be, for the object is to reach everybody, and give all an opportunity to learn the truths for these last days.

A postal card accompanies the first number of the SIGNS that is sent, stating in few words why it is sent, requesting that it be carefully read, promising to continue sending it free, if the person addressed is willing, and asking for a reply. If no reply is received within two or three weeks, the paper is discontinued. Should a favorable reply be received, the member continues sending the SIGNS, and soon writes a letter, asking the person how the paper is regarded, and expressing, in a respectful manner, his interest in the reader's eternal welfare. The good sense of the writer must be exercised in order to give no offense, for as yet he knows nothing of the one to whom he is writing. He may already be a professing Christian, or he may be an infidel. This letter is intended to draw the reader out on these points. In this manner a correspondence is started that, if properly conducted, will result in much good. Very many instances are known where the conversion of sinners has resulted, and we cannot doubt that this has occurred oftener than is known.

Since the doctrines advocated by the SIGNS are entirely new to so many persons, it is to be expected that questions will be asked in regard to them. This is just what is desired, as it shows an interest. And now comes the most difficult part of the work, when the worker needs wisdom greater than his own. A grave responsibility rests upon him; if he should through ignorance, or rashness convey wrong ideas of truth to his interested reader, incalculable injury will be done. The truth must be correctly represented, but how is it to be done? The worker feels his inability to converse fluently on the subjects that are perfectly clear to his own mind. Even if he were able, there would be danger that, being unacquainted with his correspondent's peculiarities, his words might be of no effect. Right here the tracts come into service. Each one of these discusses a single point thoroughly. The proper one can be sent, and the inquirer has the answer to his question. As reference is made to the Bible for authority on every point, the tract cannot fail to commend itself to the candid.

It will be seen at once that such a course as this, pursued by each member of a church, must greatly increase the spirituality of that church. "He that watereth shall be watered also himself." Each one has his mind upon the work of God, and the effect cannot fail to be seen in the daily life. When each member is heartily engaged in this work, there is no room for gossip, slander, and fault-finding. Church trials are unknown in a church where each member has the missionary spirit. How could they exist? The missionary spirit is the spirit of Christ, and those who have that cannot indulge in quarrels, or in envious or jealous feelings. All church difficulties spring from selfishness, but when the individual is earnestly engaged in the missionary work, self is lost sight of; the mind is drawn out for others. Besides this the meetings of the church will never become dull, for each one is constantly gaining an experience. The minister can be left free to devote much of his time in new fields; for there will be no difficulties to settle, and the members are growing in grace.

We believe that this is the way to have a "live church." But it is necessary that every member join in this work. Just as the pastor of a church cannot be successful without the co-operation of his flock, so the church will not be really alive, unless every member is alive. Those who do not work will be dead weights upon those who do. This is not mere theory; the matter has been tested. In every church it will be found that those who are advancing spiritually, are those who are working for others. But if you find some that are cold and indifferent, who are in a backslidden condition, or who are busybodies, working trouble on all sides, you will find that they have done no real work. Shall we not all, then, who profess to love the Lord and to look for his appearing, go to work earnestly? It will do no good to sit down and mourn our sad condition; that will never cause us to advance. Let us heed the command of the Master, "Go work in my vineyard," and we may be sure that he will supply the necessary strength.

E. J. W.