Missionary Department by John Norton Loughborough

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, Cal. · Sep 9, 1875

Missionary Department.

By John Norton Loughborough

"In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand; for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good." Eccl. 11 : 6.

Christ's Work.

THE apostles of Christ were true missionaries in every sense of the word. In them we have the most striking illustration of devoted workers in the cause of truth. That which, by precept, they have taught to others respecting advancing the work of Christ, they exemplified in their own life and ministry. They gave force to their teachings by an appeal to the course pursued by their Master.

Paul, in writing to the Philippian brethren says, "Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God; but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men; and being found in fashion as a man; he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross." Phil. 3 : 4-8.

The above injunction was not made simply to ministers, but to the whole Philippian church, and through them to all believers in Christ. The manner they were to look upon the things of others was to be the same, and for the same purpose that Christ laid aside, for the time being, the glory and happiness of Heaven. It was that he might unselfishly devote himself to the work of saving men. If we arm ourselves with the same mind we shall be led out to do all we can to rescue souls from death, and direct them to the way of truth, and life, and Heaven.

That this is the import of the apostles' statement above is evident from his further injunction, "Do all things without murmurings and disputings; that ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither labored in vain." Verses 14-16.

The above statements present the fact that every one who receives the gospel of Christ is obligated thereby, not only to exemplify its truths in their lives, but to do all in their power, with the ability God has given them, to bring the truths of the gospel before the minds of others. Thus the apostles of Christ, and the primitive church did. With them it was not merely to be honorary members of the church, but to be all earnest workers.

To those thus laboring, Paul said, "We desire that every one of you do show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end; that ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises." Heb. 6 : 11, 15. These are the same persons he had told in the previous chapter, "For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat." Heb. 5 : 12. Of course such a position as that described above is attained by inattention, and by failing to post themselves in the truth.

Peter's admonition to the whole church comes in with special force here: "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts." That is, dedicate your life and energies to the cause of God, seeking to know and do his will, and making the advancement of his truth of more consequence than everything else. Seeking "first the kingdom." "And be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear." 1 Pet. 3 : 15. In response to the injunction "be ready to give an answer," you say you cannot talk upon the truth; we say, you can fill your pockets with choice tracts and papers treating upon all points of this precious truth. Place these in the hands of the people. If you cannot talk, these carefully written tracts and papers will unexcitedly, patiently, and perseveringly tell their message, and in due time it moves hearts.

If you cannot frame language to advocate the truth properly yourself, you can at least act as a carrier of the truth to others in tract and periodical distribution. You can follow the truth thus distributed with your prayers, God will water it as read by the receiver, so that it may prove indeed to be seed sown upon good ground that shall spring up and bear fruit unto eternal life.

One of Paul's admonitions to the Galatians was in these words: "As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith." Gal. 6 : 10. While I would not claim that the above text has exclusive reference to disseminating God's truth by precept, none will deny that it embraces that duty, as that is one of the means of doing good. Our duty in disseminating the truth is in the same ratio of our opportunities to disseminate the truth. The greatest danger is that we shall be so taken up by, and overcharged with, our worldly cares that we shall not see golden opportunities to do good until they are passed, and it is too late to do the good.

What Paul commended in the faithful workers of his time was that they would "naturally care" for the advancement of the truth. He commended Timothy in the following language: "I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state. For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's." Phil. 2 : 20, 21.

Here is where the hindrances come in to the faithful performance of missionary duties. The cares of life, pressure of business, and hurry of the world leads the mind away from that watchful, earnest, devoted position of Christ's apostles which placed them where they would gladly "spend and be spent" (2 Cor. 12 : 15) in the cause of Christ. What is demanded, and what we wish to see in this time, is that same earnest, unselfish consecration to God's work. When such efforts are made, they are sure to be followed with God's blessing, and will produce the same results the apostles witnessed.

Who will thus take hold of the work now, who will watch for the opportunities to do good, and take hold for a share in the great harvest of souls? The T. and M. system gives a chance for all to work. There is enough for all to do. Will we do with our might what our hands find to do? Will we? J. N. L.