The Missionary by Stephen N. Haskell

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Mar 24, 1887

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 13, No. 12.

The Missionary.

By Stephen N. Haskell

THE WANTS OF THE CAUSE OF CHRIST.

THE cause of Christ has ever suffered for the lack of faithful and devoted men. It is not great men that are the strength of the cause of truth, but men of piety and experience, who live not for themselves, but for "him which died for them, and rose again." These men are the strength of the church, for they make God their strength and their dependence. It is not rich men that are demanded. Very few of these ever devote themselves wholly to the work of God. The poor widow with her great heart did more for the cause of God than all the rich men who cast their gifts into the treasury; and yet God does use rich men to advance his work. A few men whom God had intrusted with the riches of this earth have been called in every age, and they have given their hearts to God, and their means have been devoted to his service. Such men have come to the front in important crises; Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea furnish noble examples.

It is not men of great minds, but men of great hearts, whom God is pleased to accept. Great talents and abundant wealth might be rendered of inestimable value in the cause of Christ, but for the most part Satan is able to enlist these in his service. The cause of Christ is not dependent upon the means and abilities which men possess. He who stands at the head of the work can use the feeblest instrumentalities, if they are consecrated to Him. His invitation is to all to become his servants, and he chooses out of a vast number the few who will submit to his requirements and love the cause of truth more than they love their own ways. He has no place for self-conceited, boastful men, nor is there any place to be filled by the self-righteous, unhumbled Pharisee. The Saviour has no use for those who are anxious to fight, but unable to suffer shame for his name. There are plenty of those who have zeal for their own self-aggrandizement, but they have no interest for Christ when required to humble themselves, and lack the disposition which would lead them to do it. When the fire has destroyed the dross and useless chaff and stubble, not one of these self-conceited men will remain.

The cause of God needs soundly converted men; those who have put off the old man and have put on the new; who have counted well the cost, and laid aside every selfish interest. Self in them has died, and they die daily; or rather the self that is in them dies daily. To them the cause of God is dearer than life. Their study is not how they can obtain the first position among their brethren, but how they may become the most useful. These are the persons who walk with God. No matter how lowly the station, and how humble their gift, they are the pillars of the church. If all who connect themselves with the church were of this class, the work of God would make steady progress. It needs men who count not their lives dear unto themselves; who never strive for prominence save in that which makes no display. The church is never in trial with such men. Men of the world never stumble at their example. They let their light so shine that others are led to glorify their Father which is in Heaven.

The cause of God needs men who, when disappointment comes, can say with the apostle Paul, "None of these things move me." The record of history shows that disappointment and trial have been the common lot of God's people. Moses, Elijah, John the Baptist, and all the apostles of Christ, are striking examples of this fact. God suffers disappointment to come to show what is in men's hearts. After the mighty work wrought by Elijah at Mount Carmel, he hoped for the reformation of Ahab's court, but instead of this he was obliged to flee for his life. John the Baptist experienced this, when, at the close of his ministry, he was thrown into prison. The disciples felt the bitterness of disappointment when they saw their Master crucified, whom but a short time before they had escorted in his triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Disappointment has always seemed to act a part in the development of character among God's people.

The work of God demands faithfulness, zeal, self-sacrifice, humility, and every Christian grace, in the hearts of those who are recognized as laborers. With such a corps of laborers, the Lord can go before his people to battle. It is not numbers that gives strength to the cause of Christ, but it is those who have learned to trust him. Men who can change their faith as men would change their coats, are not the men for these times. Men who desire popularity and who stand foremost in the things which advance self, are not the men whom God will choose to carry forward the Third Angel's Message in the crisis which is before us; but men who would give themselves and all they possess rather than see the cause of God languish.

"And the Lord said unto Gideon, The people that are with thee are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel vaunt themselves against me, saying, Mine own hand hath saved me." Gideon was instructed to proclaim in the ears of the people, that whosoever was fearful and afraid might return from Mount Gilead. Upon this two-thirds of the people returned, leaving only ten thousand. Then "the Lord said unto Gideon, The people are yet too many; bring them down unto the water, and I will try them for thee there." Those who had so much of the burden of the work that in drinking they kept their eye on the enemy, dipping up the water in their hands and lapping it with the tongue, were set apart by themselves. Those who bowed down on their knees to drink, momentarily losing sight of the enemy, studying their own convenience, were rejected. Only three hundred men were found who really had the burden of the work in their hearts, and this little company God chose to work deliverance for Israel.

In the day of Judgment every person will be weighed in the balances, and those who do not possess the love of Christ, and the love of God's cause, and the love of an unpopular truth, more than everything else, will be found wanting. Why should we deceive our own hearts with an empty profession? The cause of God will prosper everywhere when men who are true are made manifest. The people of God will be as terrible as an army with banners, and they will go forward, conquering and to conquer.

Shall we not then go about the work of examining our own hearts, and testing ourselves in all our failings, to see if these principles of the love of Christ actuate us at every move? The hours of probation are swiftly passing. The Judgment hastens with fearful rapidity. What is our record in the books of Heaven? Where is our zeal for perishing souls? Where are the acts of self-denial and cross-bearing to save our fellow-men? How many are bearing fruits to God? How many, like the fig-tree, are barren of fruit? Can we meet the Master so? How many of us in our own consciences can say we are doing the will of God with earnest and persevering effort? How many love the cause of Christ above everything they possess? The day is hastening greatly that is to reveal us just as we are, and may God help us to prepare to meet it. S. N. H.