HOW CAN WE QUALIFY OURSELVES TO LABOR.
By Editor
We have schools and city missions which are adapted to disciplining the mind and educating workers in the cause of God, but in this appeal we would reach a class of workers who are at their homes, and cannot attend a college or a mission training school. God has something for you to do. First we should become familiar with the truth—not upon any one point in particular, but upon various points. Become familiar with leading texts of Scripture upon some prominent points of our faith, so much so that by having the references on a card you will know at once the nature of the scriptures referred to; then raise some question which will lead the person with whom you are conversing to take his Bible and read a text upon that subject. Do not think that you must learn how to give a Bible-reading in the common acceptation of the term, but become familiar with the Scriptures so that you can present them in an interesting manner. As illustration of what we mean, we would suggest first that the reader become familiar with Matt. 24:15; Dan. 12:4, 9, 10, and the wonderful dream of Nebuchadnezzar, in the second chapter. Then the conversation might be turned in some way so that the question might be asked if they had ever thought of what the Saviour said about understanding the book of Daniel. Then the fifteenth verse of Matt. 24 might be referred to in an off-hand manner, not as though you had a set form, but in such a manner that a person would be interested to take his Bible and read the passage. The suggestion could then be made that the Saviour's words imply that the book of Daniel not only contains important information, but that it can be understood, for he says, "Whoso readeth let him understand." This will lead to further conversation. Then it can be remarked that the book of Daniel does add important testimony on this point, and refer them to Dan. 12:4: "But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased." The thoughts contained in this verse are interesting. It shows that the prophecy of Daniel was to be sealed up and closed until a certain point of time, and in that period of time there would be a running to and fro, and knowledge should be increased. Steamboats and railroad trains are most fitting illustrations of this running to and fro. The facts concerning the first Bible Society, and the number of Bibles printed at the present time, showing how knowledge in the word of God has been increased, would be enough to interest any person who could be interested in these things; and then the sciences, and the improvements of the present age. If you are intelligent on these points, you will be able to interest almost anyone. Then the question might be raised if it is certain that the spiritually wise will know these things. Then the person may be asked to read the ninth and tenth verses of this same chapter, where it expressly states that "the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand." Then the second chapter of Daniel can be referred to, as showing how readily the book can be understood. The dream might be read through from the thirty-first to the thirty-fifth verse, and then read the explanation of the head of gold in the thirty-seventh and thirty-eighth verses; then the second kingdom, brought in in the thirty-ninth verse and its name recorded in the fifth chapter, verses thirty and thirty-one. Explain the third kingdom, Grecia, which was to bear rule over all the earth. Then show by the second chapter that the fourth kingdom is to continue until the establishment of God's everlasting kingdom. Fifteen minutes or a half-hour's talk upon this subject would be long enough for the first time, until the interest is thoroughly aroused, and then leave the family while the interest is at its highest pitch. There are none of our sisters who, if they took the time that is ordinarily spent on tucks and ruffles, frizzling the hair, or extra fixings on their children's clothing, or the time spent in cooking extra dishes for the family, could not become familiar with these references. The subject of the second coming of Christ could be taken up in a similar manner. Perhaps we might begin with the promises of the Saviour, made to the disciples as he was about to leave them (John 14:1-3), and the manner of his coming as referred to in Acts 1:9-11, and how he will come (1 Thess. 4:16, 17), and other parallel texts. Then take up the condition of the earth at the time of the Lord's coming; the effect it will have upon the wicked; a few of the leading texts upon these subjects, which, in a little time, can be easily learned. Not that we should have any set form to introduce these subjects, but we should be familiar with them and prepared to turn the conversation into such channels as will best allow their introduction. We should become intelligent on these points. The "Facts for the Times" is a book that can be purchased at any of our tract depositories or offices, and gives information relative to the fulfillment of prophecy in the signs of the times, and in the progress of the work of God. A few moments spent each day in seeking to become intelligent on these points, and studying the Bible, will lead the mind into a healthy channel, and give an experience in divine things that will not only make us as individuals, lights in the world to others, but will warm our own hearts and help us to form5characters that will fit us for the kingdom of God. We hope our brethren and sisters will not neglect this work. Do not think that you must go into a city and start up a mission before you can become intelligent as to what the Bible teaches. There never was a period fraught with such great danger as this. It is those who feel the importance and the burden of the truth, and who are laboring in some way for its advancement, by prayers and by earnest efforts, who will make a success of the work. But if we fail here and neglect the spirit of the work at the present time, we have made a failure which will be eternal in its consequences. Our children also should be educated to become intelligent in these things. God is in earnest with his people, and would have us come up to the help of the Lord against the mighty. Will not our churches take hold of this work? There may be a diffidence on the part of some about going out among strangers, or even their own neighbors, to introduce these things, leading them to investigate the truth, and especially so with those who have not heretofore given the Bible a thorough study. We would recommend such to visit one another. Call upon each other; take the Bible and talk up these subjects, and become familiar with them. Let the conversation be upon those things which relate to the times in which we live. Take up the subject of the prophecy in Daniel, the second coming of Christ, the present condition of the world, and these various points that you would present to your neighbors and friends. In this way you will become familiar with these subjects, and can present them more easily than at first. In some of our towns where the prejudice has been great, the course above recommended has been pursued, and as the result of Bible-readings held by the brethren, some have accepted the truth, and others, whom our brethren believed would never take an interest in such matters, have become interested. We cannot tell what we can do until we make a trial. May God bless our people everywhere, and may we realize that present duty is not simply to nominally embrace the truth, but to put forth efforts to bring it before others, and be lights in the world by example as well as profession. S. N. H.