"IN WEARINESS AND PAINFULNESS."
By S. N. Haskell
CHAPTERS 11 and 12 of Second Corinthians can be studied with profit. The apostle here enumerates some of the sufferings and conflicts which he endured for Christ's sake. The zeal of the early church is spoken of as that of no other church since the days of the apostle has been. In the book of Acts we have much that is very striking upon this point. In Rev. 2:2-4 are these forcible words: "I know thy works, and thy labor, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil; and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars; and hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast labored and not fainted. Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love." From the above scriptures we can form some idea of what devotion and zeal the early church possessed, and what is required of us if we would meet the mind of the Spirit of God. We live in the closing scenes of this world's history. The last sands of time are fast passing away, and yet, right upon the borders of the eternal world as we are, how little we realize the importance of the cause we have espoused. Should we weigh ourselves in the same scales with the early church we would come far short of their devotion, and even their zeal and devotion did not come up to the true standard. There are only a few who can testify of laboring with cheerfulness, "in weariness and painfulness" in the cause of their Redeemer; but there are many who can testify that they have labored on their farms or in some calling where personal interest only was at stake with "weariness and painfulness." Many have grown grey and their countenances become furrowed with perplexing care, while serving themselves. This was simply for what they should eat and drink, or wherewith they should be clothed. But few there are who thus labor in the cause of Him who left the royal courts and died that we might be saved. Our missionary system presents an opportunity for each to engage directly in the service of their Master. Agents are wanted to sell our publications, and colporters are needed to enter thousands of cities and villages, to visit families and call their attention to the truth, and to pray with and for those who may be anxious to know the will of God. Our sisters can also find a field of labor in remailing our pioneer sheet, and then corresponding with those to whom papers have been sent. A greater or less number of the SIGNS should be taken in every place where any of our people live, and these papers should be distributed throughout their respective neighborhoods, or remailed to those whose addresses may be obtained. The importance of this feature of the missionary work has never been fully realized. It has been taken hold of by many with the ends of their fingers, as it were; more as a speculative experiment than becoming a part of life's interest. It should become so interwoven in our nature that we cannot be separate from it. Then with cheerfulness we can labor with "weariness and painfulness." Frequently the first inconvenience experienced to pay for the papers, or the least discouragement in consequence of not receiving responses to letters written, has been sufficient excuse with some to abandon the work altogether. A little weariness or some trivial circumstance would prevent many from attending meeting, from re-mailing the SIGNS, or from writing a letter. The missionary work thus becomes second to everything else. In not a few instances the words of the prophets have been applicable:—"Ye said also, Behold what a weariness is it, and ye have snuffed at it, saith the Lord of hosts." God has committed to each of us a talent, and we are responsible for its use. Many have hid their talent in a napkin, and buried it in the earth, and in the Judgment will say, "Lord I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, gathering where thou hast not strewn." It was hard for them to deny themselves some personal ease or pleasure to engage in a work which yielded so little returns, to perform so much labor with so little profit. It would cost them time, care, and thought. Yes, and if they become successful workers it would cost prayers and tears. In some instances the midnight hour has witnessed the earnest pleadings with God that he would prosper the efforts put forth. We know of no reason why our sisters and lay brethren should not feel an equal responsibility in working for souls in their sphere as ministers do who enter the desk. We are thankful for what some of our conferences are doing in this direction. But not one-tenth as many papers are taken for missionary work as should be. Not one-twentieth is being accomplished which might and would be accomplished could all realize the importance of the present hour. Could the curtain be lifted and we be permitted to see the souls who are to-day rejoicing in the light of present truth in Europe, Asia, and even in Africa, as the result of remailing the SIGNS, and of correspondence, it would encourage the wearied and careworn laborers to labor on. It should inspire in the luke-warm a desire to become more zealous. Ministers should feel a responsibility to educate our brethren and sisters in this branch of the work. Vigilant Missionary Societies should be organized wherever it is consistent. Young churches as well as our older brethren and sisters are willing if they were properly instructed. It is the duty of those laboring in the field to do this. There is not that close thinking and planning by ministers and people to advance the truth of God that there should be. In consequence of this they are strangers to wearisome labor. It savors too much of work for some. When we consider the limited number of SIGNS now taken in clubs, and the hundreds of churches that are doing comparatively nothing in this direction, less than fifteen V. M. Societies doing most of all that is done, we are led to inquire, Is God's providence in this work or not? is he leading? does he accept this kind of labor? If so, why should so little burden of it be felt by our ministers. Then our mind goes over to England, Scotland, Holland, Italy, and to every civilized nation of Europe, to the islands of the sea and to Egypt, the birth-place of Moses and the asylum of our Saviour. We are knowing to the fact that in each of these places precious souls are rejoicing in the truth of the third angel's message, many of whom have never seen one of like faith outside of their own numbers. And when we consider that all this resulted from remailing our periodicals and from correspondence, we answer, Yes, we know that God's hand is in this branch of the work. His providence is over it. He has heard the cries of the praying ones. He has bottled the tears of those who have felt the burden of this work. Angels of God have co-operated with those who, with weariness and painfulness have labored in this direction. We have not followed cunningly devised fables in this work. No, indeed. We want to see more of that spirit revived which characterized the early church, the reformers of the sixteenth century and those of later times, and even of those in the infancy of our cause who could fold and direct papers till the midnight hour, and not unfrequently till dawn of day. We pray that God will revive this spirit in the hearts of his waiting people. Much, yes, very much depends upon our ministers and tract officers; upon the example which they set, the spirit they possess, and the education they give to others. There is no one feature of the missionary work which will better cultivate and encourage this spirit among those who cannot leave their homes to labor than to join our Vigilant Missionary Societies. They then take the responsibility of finding interested readers for our paper, which, if they continue to do, will give them an experience in the things of God, and teach them to labor for others.