p. 5 | THE NEEDS OF THE HOUR by G. W. Copley

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Nov 21, 1900

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 26, No. 47.

THE NEEDS OF THE HOUR.

By G. W. Copley

THE urgent need of this period is real, whole-souled Christian philanthropy in the broadest sense and of the most practical kind. This is the inspiration of all missionary labor worthy of the name.

It was Christian philanthropy that moved John Howard to visit the prisons of Europe, and before kings and emperors to plead the cause of those confined therein, that their condition might be ameliorated. Then, he maintained, Christ could enter and soften their hearts and change their motives, and, consequently, the aims and objects of their lives. Howard might be styled a pioneer medical missionary, since he treated the sick gratuitously with nature's simple remedies, himself practising that abstinence and personal cleanliness he so urgently recommended to others. Dying in Southern Russia, battling the plague, the multitudes that followed him to his grave and wept upon his bier, proved the potency of love.

The missionary of the closing generation of the world must be broad, large-hearted, and possessed of a courage and zeal inspired by the Holy Spirit. Furthermore, he must have skill to make a practical application of nature's remedies in the treatment of the common diseases of these times. And it is essential, of course, consistently to practise himself what he advocates and recommends to others.

Christ was and is a friend of all men, without regard to rank or wealth. He especially has a deep compassion for those suffering from poverty, from despotic laws, and for suffering virtue. Lordly, unjust man raises up privileged classes who rule rigorously over the masses in selfishness and pride. But Christ is no respecter of persons. He enjoins meekness and equity on all His disciples, and would have them reach a helping hand to the downtrodden and oppressed.

The missionary of the period must not only have moral courage, but he must be a moral hero. He is liable to be called to stand before kings and emperors and powerful organizations that sway more or less the decisions of kings and emperors. Hence he must be broad. He can not afford to cripple his usefulness by joining any party or organization that would bring him into conflict with other people.

Prejudice is a terrible obstacle in the way of doing good in this wicked world. So the missionary who lives for the highest good of all he meets, must not be swayed by it. As the divine character is forming within him, prejudices will disappear, and he will look upon every human being as a member of the great family out of which are to be gathered the heirs of Christ's kingdom of righteousness and glory.

The missionary must be Christlike. He must ever keep in view the Saviour's benevolence and philanthropy, that embraced the entire human race. When Christ accepted the scheme of redemption, He knew it would cost Him His heart's blood, with agonies untold, to accomplish it; and yet He shrank not from the awful responsibility, but virtually said to lost and wretched man, "Live; I have found a ransom for you." The great, sympathetic heart of humanity confesses to the divinity of the life of the immaculate Christ. What sublimity, what majesty, what pathos, what love cluster about the life, the deeds, the character, the cross of Christ!

Here is our faultless Pattern. Let us conquer our prejudices, and cease to be swayed by our aversions; let us make the Golden Rule our precept and practise, ever remembering that without the exercise of charity, as defined in 1 Corinthians 13, we can have no hope of salvation. The human heart is so constituted that by loving mankind we may draw them to love us; and, having their love, we, through it, have a suasive power, which we may use to draw them heavenward.

Let the love of Christ move us to comfort the mourner, encourage the despondent, assuage the pains of the suffering, soothe the wounded in spirit, and love all mankind. Thus shall we be true missionaries, and, keeping our union with Christ unsevered, have continually the protecting care of the heavenly host.

Healdsburg, Cal. G. W. COPLEY.