The Missionary Spirit by M. L. HUNTLEY

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Aug 14, 1884

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 10, No. 31.

The Missionary Spirit.

By M. L. HUNTLEY

It is an exalted privilege to bear some part in the work of God. It is the highest honor that can be conferred upon man in his fallen condition. As the result of personal transgression, every power of man's being has become demoralized and weakened. The fact that God does accept efforts, when put forth in a proper spirit, while in this fallen condition, shows unbounded mercy and condescension on the part of our Creator, notwithstanding much that is professedly done for Christ's sake is not acceptable to him. Therefore, an understanding of what constitutes acceptable service is of the utmost importance. The outward acts of the Pharisee who went up into the temple to pray, so far as we can judge, are not worthy of censure. Doubtless it was his duty to do these very things, yet his service was not pleasing to God; while the poor publican, who perhaps had committed grievous sins, found acceptance. Also, it was the duty of the rich men to cast much into the treasury, notwithstanding the poor widow's offering was of far greater value in the sight of the Lord than all that they had done.

The lesson here taught is not that those only who are poor, and such as the world does not esteem, can find favor with God; but that he regards the state or condition of the heart more than the outward acts. It was the motive which actuated these individuals that rendered their efforts, although insignificant in themselves, acceptable to him. Had those who did much possess the same spirit, their services would also have been acceptable. There are motives unseen by man, and underlying every act of life, which God regards. He reads the heart, and sees not as man seeth. The apostle refers to this principle when he says that, though he should give all his goods to feed the poor, and his body to be burned, if he had not charity it would profit him nothing. It is the spirit that is drawn out for others' good, that labors not for earthly reward, but for the salvation of their fellow-men, that is of value in the sight of God.

This spirit is everywhere seen in the life of Christ. It is what led him to come into this dark world, and sustained him in the hours of fearful temptation and terrible agony which he endured. It is the same spirit which prompted those who have left all that was dear and desirable to them to go to heathen lands to spend and be spent in the service of God. Many have seemed to think that such earnestness, zeal, devotion, and self-denial as have been manifested in the lives of sacrificing missionaries were only necessary in instances of great responsibility; but it is the spirit of Christ, and without it we are none of his. The importance of the present time demands that every individual who accepts the light of present truth should possess this sacrificing spirit to a large degree. Children should be educated in it. The responsibility and the importance of the work of those who in time past have thus gone to foreign lands, does not equal that of ours. A life-time is short to devote to the service of God, but when only a few years remain in which so much is to be done, the importance of rightly improving every day cannot be expressed.

This spirit prompts to constant action. It cannot rest in inactivity. It will labor long and suffer much, even though its efforts may seem to be fruitless, and although it may meet with almost insurmountable difficulties, and the effort to overcome them may wring from the soul prayers and tears of anguish; but it brings no rest, no reprieve, until the work is done. The dungeon and the stake have been arrayed against it in vain. From the inner prisons and upon couches of suffering it has spoken words of eloquence and power which have resounded through the earth; and sung hymns of praise and thanksgiving to God that melted the stony hearts of those who heard. It has no part nor lot with that kind of voluntary humility which pleads unworthiness and inability as an excuse for not bearing burdens in the work of God, when at the same time the business of this world is performed readily and with success. It rather exclaims, Here, Lord, am I; send me.

Not one-twentieth is accomplished that might be if all possessed the spirit of sacrificing labor. As the man of this world watches for opportunity to increase his wealth, and takes advantage of every favorable circumstance, so should opportunities for missionary labor be sought out and improved. The providence of God has so arranged it that every one can have a part in his work, and what each individual does is valued in proportion to the ability he possesses to do, and the motive that actuates him in doing it.

What, then, can be said for those who consider themselves or anything they possess too good to devote to a cause like this. It is worthy of the best affections of the heart; and could we rightly view the blessedness of enlisting our interests in the cause of Christ, we should be led to exclaim, “What shall we render to the Lord for all his benefits to us!” Truly, it is a condescension on the part of God, and an exalted privilege to us, that we are permitted to bear some humble part in the work of God upon the earth. M. L. HUNTLEY.