"GO YE INTO ALL THE WORLD AND PREACH THE GOSPEL."
It does not appear to have been the design of Christ that his ministers should become stationed, salaried preachers. Of his first ministers it is said, immediately after receiving their high commission, that "they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following." Mark xvi, 15-20. We do not suppose, however, that they were to go hurriedly through, preaching but one discourse in a place, regardless of the movements of their fellow-laborers; for such a course would produce confusion, and accomplish but little for the cause of Christianity. Paul was not what is now called a "settled pastor," yet at Corinth "he continued a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them." Acts xvi, 1, 11. These early teachers of Christianity remained in one city, or place, till their testimony aroused the people, and they had brought out a body of believers, and established them in the doctrine of Christ. Things were then set in order so that these disciples could sustain the worship of God. And then these ministers would pass on to a new field of labor. These churches were not carried upon the shoulders of their ministers, but were left to sustain the worship of God among themselves. Occasionally would they pass through and visit the brethren, to exhort, confirm, and comfort them. These were frequently seasons of weeping and rejoicing. Here are two brief quotations from Luke's report of Paul's labors: Acts xiv, 19-27. "And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead. Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and came into the city; and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe. And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch, confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed. "And after they had passed throughout Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia. And when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down into Attalia, and thence sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been recommended to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled. And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles." Chap. xviii, 22, 23. "And when he had landed at Cæsarea, and gone up and saluted the church, he went down to Antioch. And after he had spent some time there he departed, and went over all the country of Galatia and Phrygia in order, strengthening all the disciples." How refreshing the visits of such a minister, perhaps the very one from whose lips they first heard the gospel. How precious his words of instruction. Then as he goes out from them to labor in the world-wide gospel-field they bless him with the good things of this life, and follow him with their prayers. We do not read in the book of Acts of stated salaries; and we conclude that ministers putting themselves into the gospel market to be sold to the highest bidder, was unknown to primitive Christianity. Neither do we read in that book that Paul, Barnabas, Silas, Peter, James, John, or Jude, or any of Christ's first ministers, had donation-parties. But no sentiment is more definitely taught and enforced in the New Testament, than that it is the duty of believers to support with their worldly good those who give themselves up to labor in the gospel. The churches are addressed upon this subject as follows: Rom. xv, 27. "For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things." 1 Cor. ix, 7-14. "Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also? For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope. "If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things? If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ. Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar? Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel." Gal. vi, 6. "Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things." Phil. iv, 15-18. "Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only. For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity. Not because I desire a gift; but I desire fruit that may abound to your account. But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odor of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well-pleasing to God." 1 Thess. v, 12, 13. "And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves." 1 Tim. v, 17, 18. "Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially they who labor in the word and doctrine. For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The laborer is worthy of his reward." But Paul boasted that he was not burdensome to his brethren. He at times labored with his hands, setting the example to others, that their own hands should be actively engaged, ministering unto their own necessities, when not especially engaged in the gospel. The following from the apostle should be regarded as a cutting rebuke to those indolent, lounging preachers who ride upon the benevolence, and sometimes wear the patience, of their people, and never think of engaging in labor from that which to them is a very solemn consideration, namely, they are ministers of the gospel. Such men generally make about the fourth-class preachers, and frequently lose their health. What a miserable life to rust out. Activity is conducive to health, and in the preacher promotes mental and spiritual growth. But we will hear Paul. 2 Thess. iii, 7-9. "For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you; neither did we eat any man's bread for naught; but wrought with labor and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you; not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us." 2 Cor. xi, 7-10. "I have preached to you the gospel of God freely? I robbed other churches, taking wages of them, to do you service. And when I was present with you, and wanted, I was chargeable to no man: for that which was lacking to me the brethren which came from Macedonia supplied: and in all things I have kept myself from being burdensome unto you, and so will I keep myself. As the truth of Christ is in me, no man shall stop me of this boasting in the regions of Achaia." 1 Thess. ii, 5-10. "For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness: nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ. But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children: so being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us. For ye remember, brethren, our labor and travail: for laboring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God. Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily, and justly, and unblamably we behaved ourselves among you that believe." He who goes out to labor in the gospel should have a good degree of modesty in regard to entering fields of labor prepared for them by others. Says Paul, Rom. xv, 20. "Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man's foundation." 2 Cor. x, 15-18. "Not boasting of things without our measure, that is, of other men's labors; but having hope, when your faith is increased, that we shall be enlarged by you, according to our rule abundantly, to preach the gospel in the regions beyond you, and not to boast in another man's line of things made ready to our hand. But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth." In no way can a preacher so well prove himself as in entering new fields. There he can see the fruits of his own labors. And if he be successful in raising up churches, and establishing them, so that they bear good fruits, he gives to his brethren the best proofs that he is sent of the Lord. Paul, in testifying that those who were brought to the Christian faith by his labors were the seal of his apostleship, says, 1 Cor. ix, 1, 2. "Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord? If I be not an apostle unto others, yet doubtless I am to you: for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord." Some who join the Seventh-day Adventists commence at once to preach to the brethren, many of whom are far in advance of them. And our brethren often err in urging such to spend their time in preaching to them. Let such ministers first be suitably instructed by those of experience in the message, then let them go out into new fields, trusting in God for help and success. And when they shall have raised up churches, and shall have properly instructed them, then those churches will support them. If they cannot raise up churches and friends to sustain them, then certainly the cause of truth has no need of them, and they have the best reasons for concluding that they made a sad mistake when they thought that God called them to teach the third angel's message. Those who first led out in this cause had to trust in God. They were penniless, and so were nearly all who first embraced the message. With only two or three imperfect tracts (which have long since gone out of print), they went forth in the fear and strength of God among strangers, and bitter, determined opponents; now resting awhile to write some one of our publications; then entering new fields, until we see the cause wide-spread and prosperous. Let those who now engage in the proclamation of the third message show a like faith, zeal, courage, and devotion to the cause, and they will be encouraged by seeing the cause prosper under their labors. They will grow strong in the work, and will find themselves enjoying the confidence and love of their brethren. Now we have publications and friends, and the state of the world was never so favorable to impress the hearer with the fulfillment of prophecy, and the truthfulness of our position as now. Where are the men who feel the burden of the work? that woe is unto me if I preach not the message? The present state of the cause calls for men who walk with God, and feel the worth of souls. If such men go forth with their faith embracing all the blessings of the high commission of the great Head of the church to his ministers, they will be sustained in their labors, and shielded from the assaults of Satan, by the power of Him who has said, "And lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world." And they will gather around them devoted friends of the message who will with pleasure fully sustain them. Our ministers lack faith, and our people lack faith. God lives, brethren, and is careful to fulfill all his promises. Walk out by faith, brethren! Venture out, and give God a chance to show his faithfulness in157the fulfillment of his word. If our ministers act, preach, and pray faith, our people will have faith. Those among us who give evidence that the Lord is leading them out to teach the message should be encouraged to improve their gift in preaching as the way opens, then actively laboring with their hands to promote health, and to sustain themselves. They should not be deceived in regard to the work, and think it an easy life to teach the message. If they start out with this impression, they will certainly fail of success. Those who commence to preach and then settle down content to visit the brethren, spending a week or two in a place where there are half a dozen brethren or less, sharing their hospitality, and spending precious time in idleness, show that they have started wrong, and that they have not the spirit of the message.* And unless they can be reformed from such indolent habits, they will prove a curse to the cause. If they have a message, let them go and proclaim it. If not, they should understand it, and turn to some laudable employment. A young man who had stated in an assembly that he had a message from the Lord to sinners, at the close of the meeting said to the deacon, "I thought I would go home with you, deacon, and stay a week or two." The good deacon replied, "If you have a message from the Lord, instead of coming to my house, go and proclaim it. If you have not a message from the Lord, I have no employment for you just now." If our brethren would take a similar course with those who deserve reproof, instead of indulging them in a wrong course, it would be far better for them. Do they want time to study, let them have it, and not hinder them with your chit-chat. Are they feeble, be tender of them, and induce them to exercise much in the open air. It is a mournful fact that many young preachers of good constitutions break down early for want of out-door exercise. Some constitutions require hard labor, when not enduring the fatigue of traveling and preaching, in order to maintain firmness of constitution. The times call for activity. A general stupor in religious matters rests everywhere. Ministers and people must take higher ground, and with redoubled energy push the battle. God will help every man who will in faith help himself, and move out upon his promises.