p. 233 | The Missionary by Stephen N. Haskell

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Apr 14, 1887

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 13, No. 15.

The Missionary.

By Stephen N. Haskell

REASONS FOR EARNEST WORK.

THERE are many reasons why the people of God should especially enter the missionary work at the present time. Often is it presented to the people, and truthfully too, that the wants of the cause require this; that time is short, and the world must be warned. Therefore to throw ourselves and our means into that work is well pleasing in the sight of God. This is all true, but there is another side which is more forcible still, could we but realize it, namely, the necessity for education, an education not simply to know how to work, but a training of the mind, and bringing the thoughts to those themes which will fit us to stand in the day of God. Our strongest passions triumph when the body fails.

When disease preys upon the system, and when our physical strength weakens, then it is that the strongest passion of the human mind makes itself manifest. Of Napoleon it is said that in the agonies of death he cried with a strong voice, "Head of the army!" imagining, as his bodily strength failed, that he was at the head of his army.

We are coming up to the Judgment. We cannot tell the time when our cases will come in review before God. The Saviour assures us that men will be planting and building, marrying and giving in marriage. Worldly schemes and business will be going forward just as they are to-day. There will be nothing in this world, so far as the world is concerned, that will be an indication of the close of probation. But repeatedly we are instructed by our Saviour to watch and to "take heed to ourselves, lest at any time our hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon us unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth." But how can we be prepared for this? What will be the condition of mind that will prepare us to stand in this hour of God's Judgment. Like a great magnet that draws to itself, so should be the truth for these times. It should lead us to fix our minds upon heavenly things. Our daily thoughts should be upon those things which will remain when the scenes of earth are passed.

When God would bring Moses near to himself,—the man who had given his life to God, the man of whom it was said that there was none other like him in all the earth, and one who could say by the Spirit of God that God would raise them up a prophet like unto himself, whom they were to hear, referring to Christ,—even he must make a special preparation to meet his Maker. Without this, even this holy man, more exalted in some respects than any man that ever walked the earth, would have been unable to endure the glory attending God upon Sinai. His common thoughts and feelings had to be put away, and during these six days he was devoting his thoughts to God, and sanctifying himself by meditation and prayer. If this was necessary in the giving of the law, will it not be necessary that the people of God train their minds upon heavenly things in order to be prepared to meet God at the end of the world.

We see, then, that the missionary work becomes valuable to us in the education of the mind and the training of the thoughts to prepare us to stand before God. Do we consider any sacrifice too great to make? and when we have made a sacrifice do we feel that we should be commended because we have

helped the work? Ought we not rather to be thankful that we have had the privilege of making these sacrifices, because of the effect it will have upon the heart and mind? If we make a sacrifice of that which costs us something; if we sacrifice our property to help the cause of God; if we sacrifice our time and our means, and labor hard and earnestly to educate ourselves to work for God,—it is not simply benefiting the work of God, but it is a benefit to ourselves. It is giving us that mental training that will fit us finally to live in the kingdom of God. Do we realize that none of us could be taken to Heaven while our minds turn naturally to the things of earth—while the strongest attractions are those things which pertain to our own selfish interests? This is so whether we realize it or not.

This Christian experience is often that experience which is not the most pleasant for the time being, but afterwards it yieldeth the peaceable fruits of righteousness to those who are exercised thereby. The apostle says: "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ; by whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also; knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope; and hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us." If we do not train ourselves in this way voluntarily, while we have an opportunity, with none to molest us or make us afraid, God will cause us to pass through that which will give us that experience. If we do not humble ourselves, God will humble us. May the Lord help us to place a proper estimate upon the value of that experience which will fit us for a home in the kingdom of God.

S. N. H.