WORK FOR GOD. WHAT CAN I DO?
By C. R. Austin
No doubt this is a question that many times arises in the hearts of the lovers of present truth, as they look forth upon the fields “white for the harvest,” and listen to the appeals for help that come in from every direction. The work of God at the present time greatly needs earnest, faithful workers, those that are true missionaries. And in his providence, the Tract and Missionary Society has been formed, not to make missionaries, but to open the way so that those who are consecrated to God and his work can labor effectually in spreading the light of present truth. How truthfully it has been said that “God has gone out before us,” preparing the way for the truth to follow! and he has made us debtors to our fellow-men to impart to them that precious truth, which he so graciously has brought to our knowledge. Who among us are laboring as faithfully to discharge this debt as we should a debt of dollars and cents due a fellow-being, especially if that one gave us the privilege to work out our indebtedness? With most of us, the early morn and the darkened shades of night would witness our diligence, and we should watch for the spare moments that could be improved in increasing the amount of labor finished and decreasing the debt. No human being can ever lay us under so great obligations as God has; and our first efforts, our best energies, should be in his service. A life filled up with watching, working, and praying, will not only smooth the rough points in our own character, develop the Christian graces in maturity, keep our feet in the straight and narrow way, so that at last they shall stand on the Mt. Zion, but it will fill our souls with love for others, for whom Christ died, and we shall reach out after them by every available means. There are none but that may be faithful laborers in this great work. None but that exert an influence for the truth or against it. If we cannot preach to others, we can pray for them; and the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. If we cannot write, we can talk, and what a power there is in a word fitly spoken! It is like apples of gold in pictures of silver. And if we have not command of language to convey our ideas of truth to others in an interesting manner, we can bring a strong influence in favor of truth to bear with weight upon those around us, by a well-ordered life. If we really believe the end of all things is at hand, and that the last message of mercy is now spreading among the nations of the earth, our daily life will show that belief by the efforts we make to overcome every wrong in ourselves, and to lay up treasure in Heaven, and by doing all we can to spread the light of present truth. There are so many ways now in which the light of truth can be spread that every lover of it will find work to do; and ere many years their round have run, a well-organized band of faithful laborers will be swelling the last note of warning into the loud cry of the third angel. Every member of that band will find in the records of the Judgment a full report of labor, and will hear the “well done” from a voice that shall fill his soul with joy and everlasting satisfaction. The inquiry, What can I do? should be exchanged now (while holding up willing hands with ready hearts) for the petition to the God of peace to make us perfect in every good work, to do his will, working in us that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ. C. R. AUSTIN.