Missionary Department by John Norton Loughborough

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, Cal. · May 20, 1875

Missionary Department.

By John Norton Loughborough

"Philip saith unto him, Come and see." John 1:46.

Our Specific Work.

WE claim, as a people, to have a well-defined and special work to perform. It is to proclaim to the world the message of the third angel, Rev. 14:9-12, which message is to ripen the harvest of the earth. Ripening the harvest is fitting the receiver for translation, while those who reject the truth by which they might be prepared for translation, are hardened in sin by which they are fitted for destruction.

The ripening of the harvest of the earth is a work to be performed not simply in our own nation, or in our own neighborhood, but it is a work to be accomplished for all the nations of the earth. So this work is spoken of in Rev. 10, in these words: "Thou must prophesy again before many nations and peoples and tongues and kings." Those who have the light of these truths have responsibilities placed upon them which they should not lightly regard. If we as a people realize our position and responsibilities, we shall take hold with a burning zeal, and unflagging energy to push these precious truths to earth's remotest bounds.

We look with interest on those special providences of God that are preparing the way for the rapid spread of the message among the nations of the earth, and with true gratitude we should praise God that he has moved his faithful servants to prepare works in the various languages, to meet the increasing demand of the times. All cannot labor in foreign tongues, but each in the language that he can use, and in the sphere in which he moves, should be sure he is doing his work faithfully and well.

With our present facilities and our organization of T. and M. Societies, every soul can do something. Tracts, pamphlets, books, and papers, written by humble faithful men, with patient study and many prayers, are fitted to the hand of those who wish to carry the truth. A good work can now be accomplished by those who themselves have not the ability to speak in defense of the truth, but who have wisdom to hand out the right tract, book, or paper, at the right time.

There are still some persons among the Seventh-day Adventists who cannot trust the written truth to the perusal of the candid reader, unless they have first displayed their own talent in arguing, using the truth as a goad; and have made their auditor feel their superiority by driving him whom they would convince into a corner, and making him feel, if they do not plainly tell him, "you are cornered." Thus they arouse opposition and prejudice, and, very likely, getting badly excited themselves, so mar the truth they handle that those with whom they have conversed will remember more of their way of arguing than of the precious truth they tried to present. Seventh-day Adventists, as a people, protest against that mode of procedure, and have a more excellent way to recommend.

Let those who would do good, cultivate in their hearts, more and more, a love for souls, a desire for the salvation of perishing mortals around them. Pray earnestly to God in secret for those you would approach with the truth. Seek wisdom to approach them aright, and let your words be few and well chosen. Study to know their condition of mind, their prejudices, circumstances, and belief. Select such reading matter as is adapted to their circumstance. As soon as occasion offers pray with and for them. Let your deportment be such that they will ever see and know that you have more desire for them to lead lives of obedience to God than to turn them to mere theories of truth. Do not place in their hands too much reading matter at once. It is better to begin on some one point of truth, as the millennium, the coming of Christ, or the signs of the times, and follow it up from time to time with such works as will meet objections arising in their minds.

I have heard of a brother who has been very successful in tract and paper distribution, who makes it a special point to argue with no one who rises up in opposition, but, instead, he places in his hands a work treating upon his peculiar objection, with a kind request that he read it. The result has been excellent thus far, and it always will be when such a course is taken.

Let each one, as he goes out to his daily vocations where he expects to meet with opportunities to distribute reading matter, carefully select papers and tracts on the various subjects. The papers can be passed out to almost any one as each one contains a variety of matter. Perhaps you meet one who can't see why you should keep the seventh day, or who thinks the New Testament sustains Sunday-keeping. Which day and why? Elihu, or Seven Reasons for Sunday-keeping, are just to the point. So from time to time as you meet the same person you may find new objections arising in his mind, but remember these objections are all answered in our tracts and books. May we all have wisdom to use these instrumentalities placed within our reach.

Responsibility rests upon us to use the means God has provided for us. Shall we be faithful in the discharge of our duties, and act our part in the special work for this time?

J. N. L.