Editorial by William A. Spicer

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park, Washington, D. C. · Sep 25, 1913

Editorial

By William A. Spicer

Taking a New Hold on the Ropes

Week by week, of late, we have been hearing of the sailing of one party of missionaries after another for the mission fields. They have gone forth to meet new experiences and unknown conditions with glad hearts, and with confidence in God and his cause. That means a confidence also in the faithfulness of the believers in the home churches to the missionary advance; for most of these workers are landing in fields where they will be, humanly speaking, dependent on the resources that God has given us in the mission treasury.

It is a fact that it is an unusual thing in the history of missions for so large a number to go out from any society as we are sending this year. Our workers receive far less than most missionaries, and equipments in the field are much more simple. Yet, even for us, this departure of nearly one hundred and fifty persons in one year is a record almost startling. It seems as if Providence is surely pressing the workers out for the hastening of the message in view of a crisis just before us. No one knew how to say nay as the calls came and the workers responded at the last General Conference time.

But all this lays upon us in the home fields a solemn and grave responsibility. The Lord's people are his treasury, his stewards. He depends upon us to stand by this advance of missionary enterprise. A hundred thousand Seventh-day Adventists must take a fresh grip upon the ropes. Carey's old illustration is ever pertinent. "We are going down into the mine to search for gems," he said to his brethren, "and you at home must hold the ropes." We can assure the missionaries in all the far quarters of the earth that the cords of prayerful interest run from every station back into the hearts of believers in the churches; and the brethren at home will hold the ropes. W. A. S.