p. 15 | Improve the Missionary Opportunity by William Covert

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 16, 1914

Improve the Missionary Opportunity

By William Covert

THROUGH a train of providential circumstances I have been recently led into the business of securing funds to help give the third angel's message to the Indians in the northwest part of South America. A friend desiring to do something for these people requested that arrangements be made with the Mission Board for this purpose, so that more help could be given in the form of special contributions. This friend and a number of others gave very liberally. As a result we have forwarded this year to the Mission Board for this purpose $781.25, and have pledges for $350 more to be paid before the end of 1914. We hope to increase our fund materially in the months to come.

The time has fully come when there should be a general move among our people toward the extension of our work in neglected foreign fields, where the heathen abide. Our time to do this work will not be continued long. Probation will soon close, and then millions of dollars which should have been used in evangelistic work will be thrown to the moles and the bats. As stated by the prophet, "In that day a man shall cast his idols of silver, and his idols of gold, which they have made each one for himself to worship, to the moles and to the bats; to go into the clefts of the rocks, and into the tops of the ragged rocks, for fear of the Lord, and for the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth." Isa. 2: 20, 21. Vast sums of hoarded wealth will then witness against the rich who have withheld it from the Lord's cause, while our patient missionaries have worked hard, and in some instances suffered privation because of insufficient support. See James 5: 1.

The picture set forth in these scriptures may not have special reference to our people, but unless we come up to the help of the Lord in the matter of tithes and offerings, we shall be found among those cast out of the city of God when the burning day overtakes the wicked. How glad we should be for an opportunity to invest effort and money in the Lord's work at this time. Thousands in heathen lands are turning to the Saviour now, and thousands more will yet be saved, but we must give of our strength

and of our means in order that the work may be accomplished. In this way we can transfer our talents of property and influence to the land of everlasting day, and enjoy it there. For this purpose God gives his people wealth. His Word says: "Thou shalt remember the Lord thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers." Deut. 8: 18.

WILLIAM COVERT.