Suggestive Program for Fourth Sabbath Service in Planning for the Ingathering for Missions Campaign (Sept. 28, 1912)
By T. E. Bowen
[The following program was arranged by J. R. Ferren, missionary secretary of the Pacific Union Conference.] Suggestive Program for Fourth Sabbath Service in Planning for the Ingathering for Missions Campaign (Sept. 28, 1912)
NOTE TO THE ELDER.—You should secure at once advance copies of the Harvest Ingathering number of the Signs Magazine, with which to supply those assigned parts in this program. It is designed that this service shall be one of life and interest, and that it shall give some idea of what this special paper contains, creating a desire to take part in the campaign. You should plan to make the closing part of the program strong, finishing with definite plans for one or more practical services in which the work of distribution will be thoroughly organized. The leaders in the church work should be appointed a committee, or form themselves into one, to lead out in the campaign. You should supply each family with a copy of the paper at this service, also see that all have the instruction and general information leaflets. You may wish to change some features of the program. If it will add to the interest, do so, introducing local experiences or other material that will be of greater help. Give each one taking part sufficient notice, and urge all to put their best energies into the service. OPENING SONG: "Christ in Song," No. 547; old edition, No. 397.
SCRIPTURE READING: Rev. 14: 6-16.
PRAYER.
SPECIAL MUSIC.
INTRODUCTORY READING: "Looking Missionward," by the elder.
READINGS, from Ingathering Signs:—
"A Voice From Bengal," page 457;
"A Hindu Basket-Maker's Conversion," page 457 (read by one person).
"Progress in West Africa," page 481;
"In the Region of Victoria Nyanza," page 484 (read by one person).
"He Had No Money, but He Gave His Heart," page 486;
"The Call for China," page 442 (by one person).
SPECIAL MUSIC, if desired.
TALK: Let some one present briefly the definite needs from articles beginning on page 440,—
School buildings in Korea,
Gospel tent for Japan.
The need of men to carry the message.
A hospital in China (see page 443).
TALK: Another should briefly tell some of the points presented in the first two articles, touching,—
Every dollar goes.
Amount given last year.
Mission funds needed for 1912.
APPEAL by elder for entire church to take part in the campaign, based on,—
The rapidly ripening fields.
The great world movements opening countries to the gospel.
The influence of telling the English-speaking world of the great work and needs abroad.
Promises given through the spirit of prophecy (page 5, "General Information and Instruction Leaflet") concerning money to be given by men of the world for carrying forward the gospel message.
ANNOUNCEMENT of definite plans for organizing the work.
(The program may be shortened if desired.) THE prophet Isaiah, looking down to the time when God's work should be finished in the earth, wrote: "Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of Jehovah is risen upon thee. For, behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the peoples; but Jehovah will arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. And nations shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising. Lift up thine eyes round about, and see: they all gather themselves together, they come to thee. . . . Then thou shalt see and be radiant, and thy heart shall thrill and be enlarged; because the abundance of the sea shall be turned unto thee, the wealth of the nations shall come unto thee." Isa. 60: 1-5, A. R. V. What a wonderful growth we see in the world-field since Seventh-day Adventists took up their work shortly after the passing of the time in 1844. Truly our hearts "thrill" with joy as we behold the lights multiplying out in the darkness. At the close of 1911 the reports showed that lights were shining from eighty-seven distinct mission fields, as nearly as they could be listed, while 2,464 missionaries were laboring to win souls to Christ. And what is still more encouraging, instead of there being more laborers at home than in fields outside the United States, as has been the case so many years in the past, at the close of last year there were actually fifty-one more laborers abroad than there were workers reported in the home land. This is evidence that the Spirit is urging upon the people of God the importance of arising, and taking the light to the nations of the earth. A strong tide missionward has set in. This is as it should be. And people are coming to the brightness of the light. Down in dark Africa many scores have turned from their degrading demon worship the past year, and have found in the third angel's message the peace of God for which they had long sought, but in vain. In China many who were in dense heathen darkness a few months ago, now arise in their meeting, and with faces "radiant" with the blessing of heaven, thank God for the advent hope and the Sabbath truth. In cold, dark Siberia and Russia about a thousand hearts have been warmed with the message the past year. In dark Catholic lands, like Spain, Mexico, and South America, light is breaking despite the opposition, and, about five hundred souls are turning to it each year; while in Europe hundreds of new believers are found every few months. Altogether, a gain of 4,449 believers was reported for last year throughout the world. What does all this mean? Is it not at least the beginning of the answer of God in the world to-day to the words he put into Isaiah's lips centuries ago, "Thy light is come, and the glory of Jehovah is risen upon thee. . . . and nations shall come to thy light"? And may we not also expect that the Lord will fulfil the word that "the wealth of the nations shall come unto thee"? Just before Israel left Egypt, God so turned the hearts of the Egyptians to favor his people that they gave much gold into their hands, which was used later in instituting God's worship in the wilderness. But the Israelites went to their neighbors and invited them to render this assistance. Next week another opportunity will come to all of us to go out among our friends to solicit help in sending on more missionaries to waiting fields. Altogether, about $132,000 has been given us by those not of our faith in the Harvest Ingathering efforts the past four years. Truly God is good to thus favor his people. May the self-sacrificing labor of the missionaries, some of whom have reported a few of their experiences especially for the Ingathering number of the Signs now ready to be placed in the hands of the people, urge us forward in our efforts to accomplish more this year than ever before in behalf of missions.