The Missionary by W. N. Glenn

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jul 22, 1886

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 12, No. 28.

The Missionary.

By W. N. Glenn

"Freely Ye Have Received, Freely Give."

WHEN we see men of the world reveling in luxury, having an abundance of this world's goods, yet withholding from those who are in need, we say they are covetous, selfish, unworthy to be the custodians of wealth. When we see men having health and strength who refuse to minister to the wants of the suffering, we deem them very hard-hearted. Especially if one should see a fellow-creature, either friend or enemy, lying at death's door, and having a potent remedy in his possession should refuse to administer it, he would be condemned as almost a murderer. Even if he should fail to proffer the necessary relief through mere negligence, the act would be accounted extremely culpable.

We read in the tenth chapter of Luke of a certain man who fell among thieves, and they beat him, stripped him of his raiment, and left him half dead; and it is with feelings akin to disgust that we contemplate the selfishness of the priest and Levite who, coming that way, merely looked on him, and passed by without even offering any assistance. The wickedest man on the earth would condemn such an act on the part of another; and the Lord has recorded his emphatic denunciation of such selfishness.

The apostle James, speaking by the same Spirit, in illustrating the inefficiency of faith without works, reiterates the condemnation of the do-nothing policy on the part of such as have the means and the opportunity to assist their needy fellows. "If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, and one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?"

But it is unnecessary to argue this question; the design here is simply to call attention to a principle universally acknowledged in matters pertaining to this life, and apply it to eternal things. If it be so culpable to withhold that which will relieve suffering or preserve this temporary life, what shall we say of keeping back the truths in our possession which are necessary to the eternal salvation of our fellow-beings? Every Christian knows that he possesses something which every unconverted man and woman—friend or foe—must have or be eternally lost. What shall be said, then, of the professed follower of Christ who, having freely received the knowledge of salvation, shall complacently look upon his friends and neighbors going down to destruction, without doing all in his power to point out their danger, and the way to escape?

It was love, infinite compassion and sympathy, that moved the Creator to send a Redeemer in the person of his own Son—and the same motive actuated the Son in giving himself a ransom—for the rescue of a race of beings at enmity with his government. Salvation is a free gift, and no man can obtain redemption through any merit or means of his own. All—high or low, rich or poor—must come on an equality; and must manifest the same free spirit that moved the strong arm of Heaven to reach after the erring race. The Lord's mission to earth was to gather to himself a people, and he says, "He that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad." Can any one be called a gatherer, who has received the message of truth—which is the implement with which to gather—and coolly sits down to watch the multitudes go by on the broad road, without so much as an effort to arrest their attention? Can he be called a gatherer with the Lord, whose time, means, and energies are expended in merely gathering substance or pleasure for himself?

The spirit of the Master—the model missionary—was one of self-denial. He gave all, even his spotless life upon a malefactor's cross, for the salvation of sinners; and the word of Inspiration is, "If any man have not the spirit of Christ, he is none of his." We have sometimes heard of selfish Christians; but it is a misnomer—there is no such thing as a selfish Christian. A Christian is a follower of Christ, and any selfish professor must certainly "follow afar off," two cannot walk together except they be agreed. The Lord tells us in the fifteenth chapter of John how to be his disciples. It is by abiding in him, and bearing fruit. Bearing fruit conveys the idea of increase, or gathering. "Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples." No professed Christian, no matter how great his pretension, who simply cares for his own salvation, will ever be recognized as a disciple by the Lord himself. The only badge of recognition is the fruit he bears—the quality of his gathering. Then every true disciple is a true missionary, freely giving what he has freely received. Here was the secret of Paul's great success: "Woe unto me if I preach not the gospel." And every true follower of Christ is a preacher of the gospel, to the extent of his ability, his means, and his opportunity. "Freely ye have received, freely give."

W. N. GLENN.