REASONS FOR ENGAGING IN MISSIONARY WORK.
By Stephen N. Haskell
1. God, Christ, angels, and all nature are at work for the happiness of man and the glory of God. Man was so constituted, that, had he never sinned, labor would have been a source of happiness to him; hence God placed him in the garden to dress and to keep it. In the creation of this earth, God designed to secure the happiness of man; and he is ever at work in the great plan of salvation, by his providence and his Spirit, to save the human family from that state of sin and misery in which man finds himself in consequence of his own disobedience. “My Father worketh hitherto, and I work,” are the words of the Saviour. His entire life was one of self-denial, labor and suffering. The work which the Father gave him to finish was the work which he performed. Angels also work. “Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?” “Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.” Angels who watch over the humble Christian always behold the face of God. They encamp about the saints of God, and deliver them. They impress minds to do the will of God, and are constantly ascending and descending, to and from Heaven, performing the will of God in answer to the prayers of his people. See Heb. 1:14; Luke 15:7, 10; Matt. 18:10; Ps. 34:7; 91:11, 12; Dan. 10:12, 13; 10:1; Gen. 28:12. The established laws of nature, which cause the earth to bring forth and bud, are ordained to give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater. Isa. 55:10; Ps. 104:14, 15. In the universe, which is governed by fixed laws, everything works; and shall man, the noblest work of God, be found in idleness? The apostle commanded and exhorted the Thessalonians that with quietness they work; “That if any would not work, neither should he eat.” 2 Thess. 3:10-12. That which does not manifest life is decayed matter; and stagnant pools breed disease, pestilence, and death. To speak of a Christian who does not work, is to use contradictory terms. “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” Eph. 2:10. The church becomes established by good works; we are exhorted to “consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works.” Heb. 10:24. The work of enlightening mankind and saving precious souls for whom Christ died, is the work of God. In engaging in this work, therefore, we connect ourselves with God, Christ, and holy angels; and when this life shall fail we shall be received into everlasting habitations. 2. Works are the basis of our reward. We are rewarded according to our works. “Behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.” Faith will enable us to work acceptably, but it is our works that will be examined from the record book above. Good works are therefore recommended; and we are assured that our “righteousness remaineth forever.” 2 Cor. 9:9, 10. “For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love, which ye have showed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.” Heb. 6:10. “God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.” Eccl. 12:14. “For we must all appear before the judgment-seat of Christ, that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.” 2 Cor. 5:10. Yes; “every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.” My brother, when your selfish interests come in between you and the work of God, do you stop to think that you are not only depriving yourself of the crown of life, but are sowing seed which will yield you a harvest of sorrow in the final day of reckoning? My sister, when that impatient word escaped your lips, did you realize that it was recorded by an angel, and that, unless repented of, you would one day see it again in living characters? For God “will render to every man according to his deeds.” 3. The joy of the Christian will consist in seeing those for whom he has labored, saved with an everlasting salvation in the kingdom of God. “For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? For ye are our glory and joy.” 1 Thess. 2:19, 20. To meet in glory those for whom we have labored and prayed, but whom we have never seen in this life, will cause mutual joy in Heaven. Paul, in writing to the Corinthians, says, “We are your rejoicing even as ye also are ours, in the day of the Lord Jesus.” 2 Cor. 1:14. To the Philippians, the apostle writes: “My brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy, and crown.” The crown of glory, bedecked with stars representing souls saved by the apostle’s self-denying life, was the crown of righteousness, right-doing, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, would give him at that day, and not to him only, but to all that love his appearing. 2 Tim. 4:8. Every one that enters the portals of glory will wear such a crown; and none will enter there who have not in this life possessed a self-denying, self-sacrificing spirit of labor for the salvation of others. It is necessary therefore that we labor in harmony with the plan of God, that we may gather with Christ. “Blessed is every one that feareth the Lord; that walketh in his ways. For thou shalt eat the labor of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee.” Ps. 128:1, 2. 4. The reward is certain. There is no danger of a failure here, for the reward is of such a nature that the dissolution of this earth cannot affect it. A gentleman of wealth asked a banker of my acquaintance: “Where is the safest place to invest a few thousands?” “In Heaven,” was the banker’s reply. We recommend this to all as a safe place of deposit. “He that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.” The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few. All are bidden to enter the field, and gather golden sheaves to be enjoyed in eternity. My brother, my sister, do not wait until everything on your part has been so arranged that there will be no cross to bear. “He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap.” Has God entrusted to you this world’s goods? Do not wait until the shouts of victory are heard by the redeemed hosts, and the fruit is borne to glory by the angels of God; now is the time to make investments, and enter the harvest field. From every nationality the cry is heard, “Come over and help us.” There never was a greater need of means in the cause of God than now; there never will be a greater need. Means now invested in the cause of God will place a “treasure in Heaven,” and bring speedy returns. There is no doubt of this. The result of this matter is settled in Heaven. “They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.” Ps. 126:5, 6. It is the blessing of God that gives success to the word spoken, to the seed sown. We should labor with courage, faith, and hope. “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. Much labor will be expended without seeing great results, but ultimate success is certain. We cannot tell whose hearts God has prepared to receive the truth, but we know that they are all around us; we are directed to “give a portion to seven, also to eight.” We should be like the clouds full of rain, that empty themselves upon the earth. “Blessed are ye that sow beside all waters.” Isa. 32:20. “For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater; so shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” Isa. 55:10, 11. There never was a time when the words of our Saviour were more emphatically true than now: “Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.” There never was a time when eternal fruit was so soon to be given as now. Who among those who have not hitherto taken an active part in the missionary work will immediately enter the ranks of laborers?