MISSIONARY LABOR by A. S. Hutchins

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 13, 1876

MISSIONARY LABOR.

By A. S. Hutchins

This is a very important branch of our work in spreading the truth, and in the salvation of souls. And in many localities it has proved successful in the accomplishment of much good. Many brethren and sisters of piety and devotion to God, who study to judiciously reach hearts by acceptably laboring in this department of the work, may yet find a greater credit set against their names in the records of Heaven as a reward for their faithfulness than they anticipate. They may not have a call to publicly labor as preachers of the gospel, yet the Master may by his providences, by the avenues opening to do good, and by the ability with which he has blessed them, be saying: “Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you.”

We may not look for equal success in all parts of the field. The labors of Jesus himself were not equally successful in every city, and village, and place, that he entered. Yet faithfulness and devotion to the work, as a minister of the gospel, ever characterized him.

At the well of Samaria he seemed to forget his weariness and hunger, and with but one hearer, for a time he opened the plan of salvation to a person whom many of us under similar circumstances might pass in silence. Let us be profited as we reflect on the pleasing results of this occasion.

“In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand; for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good.” Eccl. 11:6.

There may be localities where we may not feel inclined to put forth missionary labor. And yet if our hearts were overflowing with love to God, and with an anxiety for the salvation of souls, some of the very families of whom we have the least hope, if visited, talked with in love and affection, and prayed with and for, might possibly be brought to receive the truth. It is quite certain that our own spirituality might in this way be increased greatly. Visiting families with whom we are best acquainted, who have perhaps witnessed the most of our heart wanderings from God, visiting them to point them to the Lamb of God, and as his ambassadors to pray with, and for them, might lead to very profitable reflections, and confessions of sins of omission and sins of commission, and might help us to walk more circumspectly in the future.

As the new year opens upon us, we have tried to humble ourselves, to confess to God and to one another our sins and backslidings, and may He who knows the heart and who weighs our motives, accept of the consecration we make. “Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.”

And as we desire to see souls gathering around the standard of truth, more than at any previous year, may the language of our souls be: “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free Spirit. Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.”

“Eternal Spirit, write thy law Upon our inward parts; And let the second Adam draw His image on our hearts.”

A. S. HUTCHINS.

Jan. 3, 1876.