Preparing for Field Work.
By A. G. Daniells
THROUGH the Spirit of Prophecy urgent messages are coming to this people to “go forward;” “to open new territory;” to “proclaim the message of salvation in every land.” We are admonished that now is our time to work, and that we must quicken our pace. Two points are being repeated, and emphasized with each repetition. One is that the results of the labors of those now engaged in the work should be one hundred times greater than they are. The other is that the number of workers already in the field must be increased a hundredfold. All this is a loving, cheering response from our Father in heaven to the cries for help that are going up to His throne from the hearts of suffering, perishing humanity. There is but one course open to us, and that is to obey our Leader. We must go forward, we must enter new territory, we must quicken our pace. The staff of workers already in the field must be increased a hundredfold, and the results of the efforts of all must be a hundred times greater than we see now. The situation calls for a new ministry. It calls for a ministry of greater intelligence, zeal, and power. This has been the call for a long time, but the hour has come when this call must be answered. There can be delay no longer. We who are now ministering must be made new, and hosts of new and renewed men must join us. All this is true of the work and workers in all other departments of this great cause. It is especially true regarding business managers. This cause is suffering terribly to-day because of the lack of wise-hearted, broad-minded, consecrated business men at the head of the different lines of work. Brethren, there is no need of the conditions being as they are to-day. We are absolutely without excuse. We stand speechless before our Maker in this evil thing. From the day this message started, God has led men and women to renounce everything in the world, and join this movement. These people were capable of training and development sufficient, under God’s leadership, to do successfully everything pertaining to this work. But we have failed to educate. We have strangely and blindly overlooked one of the first essentials necessary to the success of this work. The call is now coming to us to arouse, and take up this sadly neglected work. Every Conference, every school, every publishing house, and every health institution in this denomination should obey this call. Earnest efforts should be made by all these departments to pull together on the lines of helpful co-operation. One important factor in this great and all-important step is Emmanuel Missionary College. This school has been established for a special work. We are glad that we have as many schools as we have. We shall have many more before our work is done. And we are greatly encouraged by the fact that our schools have a good attendance of promising young people at the present time. These institutions should and must be crowded to their utmost capacity. To this end ministers and parents should work most earnestly. But Emmanuel Missionary College has a work that none of the other schools is doing, and which they are not prepared to do. That work is to give special help to men and women of mature years, whom the Lord is calling into His service. They are being called to the ministry, Bible work, canvassing, medical work, and to business responsibilities. They need a special course of training. It is impossible and unnecessary for many of them to spend years in our schools. They must have special help in such lines as Bible study, history, language, voice culture, and business management. This help they must have before going into the field and taking responsibilities. There are hundreds of sturdy men and women in our ranks who, with a short special course in one or more of the lines referred to, would become our brightest and most successful workers. They have already passed through trials, endured hardships, and borne burdens; and these experiences have given them their bearings. Oh, I thank God that such persons are called into service, and that a missionary training-school has been established to help them! To all such we extend an earnest call to attend the winter term of Emmanuel Missionary College. Arrangements are being made to give special help in Bible study, voice culture, and business training. Elder John A. Brunson has already connected with the school. The Lord is greatly blessing Brother Brunson with clear views of the demands of the hour, and with the power of the Holy Spirit to set forth these demands. Professor Prescott, Elder Spicer, and the writer are planning to spend some time at the missionary school during the winter term. We feel that our work in this country is that of recruiting officers for our great General, and we want to spend some time in the training-school with the volunteers before they proceed to the front. As I view the situation, I cannot help feeling that it would be a most excellent and profitable thing for many of our ministers and their wives, also Bible workers, canvassers, and Conference secretaries, to spend the winter with us. Jesus says, “Come ye yourselves apart, . . . and rest awhile.” He does not mean that we should go off somewhere to go to sleep. He means that we should retire awhile from the busy activities of public life, and fill up for better service. Personally, I feel the need of this so much that I am determined to retire for a time, and join the school at Berrien Springs. We are rejoiced to know that some of our ministers and Bible workers are planning to do this. Some of our Conferences see the value of this so clearly that they are planning to help their younger preachers to attend the winter term. That is a step that will bring large returns. The ministers and workers in other denominations attend special schools and gatherings in the summer. But that is our tent- and camp-meeting season. We can take the winter. I sincerely hope that many workers within reasonable reach of Emmanuel Missionary College, who long for a better knowledge of the Bible, for a new life, and for Holy Ghost power to proclaim this message to the world, will have the privilege of being with us this winter. I will be glad to correspond with workers regarding this matter.