MEN WHO ARE WANTED by S. N. Haskell

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jul 8, 1880

MEN WHO ARE WANTED

By S. N. Haskell

The Missionary.

MEN WHO ARE WANTED

THE cause of God at the present time calls for men who will enter the work with their whole heart. Men of nerve; men who will not count their lives dear unto themselves, but will exert an influence to save souls. Some enter the ministry, labor for a short time, but do not become successful. Others go out as colporters, some as canvassers for our books and periodicals, but they soon cease their efforts. Such have not counted the cost. They take hold of the work too much with the ends of their fingers.

There is altogether too much fickleness in God's service. The importance of the work is not appreciated. A perseverance and determination is wanted. Not in one's own strength but in the strength of God should men enter this work. A devotion is required that will not yield to obstacles, but that will forego personal comfort and ease. Yes, die at our post sooner than leave the field or abandon the work.

Our faith will be tested upon every point. Difficulties will arise, and obstacles will have to be met; but shall we sink under discouragement? Has the work become a part of our being by our devotion to it? "If this is the case there will be manifested as great an interest and consecration to the cause of God as the worldly man manifests for his worldly concerns.

Here lies the strength and success of our missionary work. If we lose this spirit, we cease our efforts. We do not say to our brethren, a little sacrifice now and then and that is the end of it. It is, sacrifice to-day, sacrifice to-morrow, and continue to sacrifice to the end. It is a life of sacrifice. The mind must be continually exercised, the heart drawn out for others, and not be weary in well doing.

There is not half the danger of becoming weary while actively engaged, as there is in ceasing to work and commencing to brood over the past. When we do this we place ourselves on the enemy's ground. If we are to die on the field let it be at our post. This spirit of sacrifice and devotion is the missionary's fort. It is where he will receive power from on high. It is when sacrifices are made which cost something; efforts put forth that require struggle, that God accepts and gives a power to reach hearts. It is when self is laid at the foot of the cross, and all selfishness is rooted out of the heart that Christ comes in, and not before. Publicans and harlots bid as fair to reign in glory as those who profess the truth and daily mingle with their judgment-bound fellow-men with their hearts as unfeeling as a stone for their spiritual welfare. Missionaries are wanted who regard this cause of more value than their farms or merchandise.

If men and women can go to heathen lands to toil and suffer deprivation for the cause of Christ, and send their children to this country to be educated among friends, never more expecting to see them in this world, how must Heaven look upon those who will let some worldly influence or circumstance detain them from entering the work of Christ, or who from some slight discouragement will abandon the field.

"This life to toil is given, And he improves it best Who seeks by patient labor To enter into rest." S. N. HASKELL.