The Scout by R. M. Kilgore

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 8, 1874

The Scout.

By R. M. Kilgore

In military circles, the office of a scout is well understood. He is one sent to observe an enemy in advance of the army. He must possess bravery, activity, and shrewdness. He must have the ability to make a clear statement of his discoveries, of the strength of the enemy, and the positions they occupy. To obtain this knowledge he must often rush into danger, even at the risk of forfeiting his life. His calling, therefore, is a perilous one; but it is better to hazard the life of one than to endanger many by encountering an enemy without a knowledge of his strength.

The Master says: “The children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.” This is manifested by the manner in which we, in our aggressive work, wage a warfare against the enemy of all righteousness.

It has long been the office of our evangelists, in entering new fields where the truth is not known, to act the part of the attacking, and also the reserve, force, without having the advantage gained by the scout and advance guard; and, as a consequence, his strength is much weakened, and his efforts less fruitful. God is a host; but he works through means, and he has placed some of these in the hands of his servant for them to use. Their duty has been to break up the ground, plant the seed, and gather a few souls together upon the principles of the clearest and most convincing truths that were ever presented to the world, and which, in their simplicity, will find a response in the hearts of some at every place where they are taught.

But it has been found to be true, in almost every case, where this work is begun, that Satan also begins to work. He stirs up his emissaries, and the cry, “He's an Advent!” “a Millerite!” “an annihilationist!” is raised; while other false reports are circulated until the people are alarmed, their fears are aroused, and their ears are closed against that which the minister has to say, and their doors are barred against his entrance into their homes, in which he might get access to them socially; so that, for several days, his labor is practically lost on the curious. He must batter down blind prejudice, gain the confidence of the people, and raise a good, healthy interest, if he obtains possession of the field at all.

Then, is there no better way to proceed than this? Is there no way that the enemy can be successfully out-general-ed? a flank movement be made, so that we can get possession of the field, and be able to hold it? Is not the late organization of the army, into a tract and missionary society, the means by which this may be accomplished? Yes; if each soldier, as well as the officers, will do his duty, and move en masse, in solid column to the front. The cases referred to in the article on Bread Found, and the many that are coming to light all over the field, fully confirm this; and the plan upon which the T. and M. Society is organized, is designed to accomplish this very end.

Through it, books, pamphlets, periodicals, and tracts can be obtained at a nominal and trifling expense. Then let the private soldiers take these silent messengers, and judiciously sow them; and let them not be confined to their own village or neighborhood where the truth has been proclaimed; but let them select some of their number, of good report among themselves and those without, endowed with the attributes of the scout, who shall go forth as such, a colporteur, bearing precious seed, into new fields where the people have not yet so much as heard of S. D. Adventists. It would not be necessary for such to send an embassage in advance of them, herald their approach through the papers, or sound the trumpet to let the people know that they are coming; but let them enter the place modestly, and with true Christian deportment, pass through the field as rapidly as possible, remembering the words of our great Captain: “Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.” Matt. 10:16.

It would not be their duty to go preaching, except they be called, or with a spirit of debate; but their words should be few, well chosen, and “like apples of gold in pictures of silver.” Then if they should retire from the field, unobserved and unknown, the result would doubtless prove satisfactory.

Some make a mistake, thinking that they have to speak to every one they meet, upon the subject of religion, or pray with every family, and each must be furnished with a package of tracts. This certainly is not wisdom; for instead of exciting a spirit of inquiry and investigation, it would glut the market, and the very ones they seek to benefit are disgusted, and their ears forever closed. They have thought the responsibility of enlightening the people rested upon their individual efforts; whereas the ammunition furnished by the T. and M. Society, the silent messengers, like shot and shell when well spent, and with well-directed aim, are the mighty engines, backed up by the Spirit of God, with which this work is achieved. It is much easier to blockade than to clear the King's high-way, and the prompt action of one discreet and active scout may secure the complete route of an opposing army.

Thus saith the Lord: “Behold, I send an angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared. Beware of him, and obey his voice, provoke him not; for he will not pardon your transgressions; for my name is in him. But if thou shalt indeed obey his voice, and do all that I speak; then I will be an enemy unto thine enemies, and an adversary unto thine adversaries. For mine angel shall go before thee,” &c. Ex. 23:20-23. Previous to their entering the promised land, again, “the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Send thou men, that they may search the land of Canaan, which I give unto the children of Israel; of every tribe of their fathers shall ye send a man, every one a ruler among them.” Num. 13:1, 2. Twelve men were chosen, each a “ruler,” and “all these men were heads of the children of Israel” whom Moses sent “to spy out the land.” This was the scheme adopted anciently; may it not be so now in connection with the onward march of this glorious message of the third angel? and while the angels of God are sent before his servants, to soften and prepare hearts to receive the truth, where are the Calebs and Joshuas, to go through the land as spies, and to bring again a faithful report? Should this be done, with their spirit, I am persuaded that the battle is half fought and the victory often greater for the truth.

R. M. KILGORE.

Hancock, N. H.