p. 16 | The Home Missionary Campaign; What Is It?

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 7, 1913

The Home Missionary Campaign; What Is It?

By E. M. Graham

SOME time ago the General Conference Committee passed a recommendation as follows:—

"We recommend, That a mighty missionary campaign be inaugurated this autumn, which shall know no cessation until this gospel of the kingdom is carried to every nation, tongue, and people; and that such varied and effective plans be developed in every conference and church as will assign a specified place in this movement to every man, woman, and child among us."

As this ultimate object has not yet been accomplished, this missionary campaign must still be carried forward. Very many of our people have enlisted in it, and their efforts have been and are hearty and continuous. Not until the final gathering day will the full results of their work be known, but we do know of many souls saved through their efforts.

There are others who have not yet taken hold of this work of giving the warning message to the public. Others labor occasionally, but not continuously. To these we appeal to enlist in this missionary campaign for hearty, continuous service. Time is growing short, the end of the battle is in sight, and now is the time when we need to make more earnest efforts than we have ever done to give the warning to all we can reach. It is a life-and-death matter, for soon it will be forever too late to reach those we may now save.

Notice, too, that this service is to be done, not grudgingly, nor as a matter of duty only, but with the heart. Eph. 6:7; Col. 3:23.

The Lord has told us through his servant ("Testimony for the Church," Vol. VI, page 427): "We are not to feel that the work of the gospel depends principally upon the minister. To every man God has given a work to do in connection with his kingdom. Every one who professes the name of Christ is to be an earnest, disinterested worker, ready to defend the principles of righteousness. Every soul should take an active part in advancing the cause of God. Whatever our calling, as Christians we have a work to do in making Christ known to the world. We are to be missionaries, having for our chief aim the winning of souls to Christ."

Where shall we begin this work? "Let those who desire to work for God begin at home, in their own household, in their own neighborhood, among their own friends. Here they will find a favorable missionary field."—Id., page 428.

Here is the call of the Lord to service. Will not every Sabbath-keeper respond by saying, "Here am I; send me"? He will use you in some way for the advancement of his work if you will permit him to do so. Decide that each week you will do something to give the truth to others, and so come up to the help of the Lord in closing up his work.

E. M. GRAHAM.