Noah a Home Missionary by C. V. Achenbach

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · May 14, 1914

Noah a Home Missionary

By C. V. Achenbach

C. V. ACHENBACH

THE world had become exceedingly corrupt, so that the thoughts and words as well as the acts of men, women, and children were sinful beyond anything seen before or since.

In every age of the world's history, the

Lord has his true servants, through whom he warns the wicked of their wicked ways, and endeavors to present to them the right ways.

The Lord saw that in Noah he had a man whom he could use in giving the warning to the world. Noah was not affected by the prevailing iniquity of the times, but was peculiar, in that he adhered to the religion of his fathers. The record says that the Lord saw that Noah was righteous, although he was daily surrounded by wickedness.

The influence of Noah's life in the home caused his boys to accept the religion of their father. Had Noah manifested religion on Sabbath only, and during the week days acted like his worldly neighbors, undoubtedly the boys would have questioned their father's religion, and would not have espoused the same cause.

Noah's wife also was deeply affected with his religion, and united her efforts with those of her husband to warn the world of the impending doom.

The Bible record clearly reveals the fact that Noah was a faithful home missionary, that he realized the responsibilities in the home, and although he had a world-wide message he could not afford to neglect the work in his own house. There were undoubtedly many worldly attractions for Noah's boys in the community where he lived, but the wise, fatherly counsel and careful training of Noah kept them from uniting with the world, and led them to unite their efforts with those of their father and mother in giving the warning message.

Noah's life was a continual testimony to his family that he believed in the coming flood. His entire household shared with him in the sacrifices necessary to build the ark. They recognized that their salvation depended upon finishing the ark, and they endeavored to show to the world that what they believed was true.

What the cause of God needs today is more Noahs,—men who have the cause of God in their own homes at heart, and who will manifest before their entire households that they believe that the coming of the Lord is very near; men whose influence before the boys and girls of the home will create in them a desire to identify themselves with the remnant church, and who are willing to share in the sacrifices necessary to finish the great work of God in the earth in this generation. Are you a Noah in your home?

Columbia, S. C.