MISSIONARY WORKERS OF A. D. 27 AND 1878.
By D. A. R.
The gospel of Christ is the same in every age, although the manner of advancing it may differ at different periods. The slow facilities for locomotion and communication that met the demand eighteen hundred years ago would be inadequate to the present emergency. Ours is an age of wonders, and many of the numerous inventions of to-day are just what is needed to advance God’s holy truth, and should be used for this purpose. But our rail-cars, steamboats, telegraphs, express companies, etc., would never warm the world without self-sacrificing missionary workers. These different agencies are means through which the workers can strike a blow that will be felt from pole to pole. A missionary worker does not labor from love of gain or honor. His love for precious souls impels him to a course which often brings the reverse of this. He does not stop to see what the advantages will be to himself, but, like the man who would save his fellow from imminent danger, he rushes to the rescue with all the strength at his command. Let us become imbued with such a spirit, and God will bless our efforts. It is the motive that leads us to do all in our power, which God looks at and weighs. The two mites of the poor widow were more in his sight than all the “much” cast in by the rich, because she had done all in her power, while they had not. The idea of missionary workers is not a new one. Some may think that it originated with Seventh-day Adventists, but this is a grand mistake. I do not suppose that Paul had books on present truth to scatter, or that Timothy obtained subscribers for a pioneer paper, the probabilities are that they did not, yet they were true missionary workers. After Christ had been baptized he was seen walking alone by John and two of his disciples. John exclaimed, “Behold the Lamb of God.” Mark the result: “And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.” They went home with him, and no doubt he instructed them in the missionary work; for the next we learn is that one of them got his brother interested in the truth and brought him to Jesus. Also the Saviour called Philip, and he would not rest; the newly found truth was too precious to enjoy alone, so he goes in pursuit of somebody to whom he can impart the same. The first one he finds who seems interested is Nathaniel. He tells him his simple story, and Nathaniel, having an honest heart, embraces the truth. Thus, missionary workers have ever labored in the cause of the Master. Men have possessed the missionary spirit all along down the stream of time. In the providence of God, it is our lot to have the honor of living when missionary operations are being closed up, and like a mighty corporation, are preparing to shut down. We have much difficult work to finish before it closes. Who will work now? Who will lift a little harder? Rise a little earlier in the morning, if need be? In short, who will be a missionary worker in deed and in truth? D. A. R.