p. 15 | Waiting in the Market Place by M. Bessie DeGraw

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · May 21, 1914

Waiting in the Market Place

By M. Bessie DeGraw

—a Call From the South

THE Bible describes two classes. The first is actively engaged in gathering souls for the Master. They have been set to work, and they keep diligently at the work. The members of the second class are standing idle. When asked why they are not fruit gathering, they reply that no one has set them to work. The spirit of prophecy says that some in this second class are waiting to be carried to the vineyard, or else they want the vineyard brought to them.

The picture before us is this: Before us is a vineyard of well-ripened grapes. Grapes when ripe need to be picked quickly, or they drop to the ground one by one and are lost. The Master expresses astonishment that any one should know these conditions and still stand idly by and not help. Why should not a person help for the sake of saving the crop? or just for pure love of the work, and what he individually might get out of it? or for economy's sake? or because of his regard for the owner of the vineyard? But no, there are some who do not begin to work because they have not been told just which row to pick on, just what shaped basket to carry, just where to put the grapes when they are picked, etc.

The Master finds these conditions, and he says to these friends of his: Hurry into the vineyard; do not stop to bargain over wages; pick fruit while it is day, and when the work is done I will settle with you in the right way.

This is a clear message which has been applied by the spirit of prophecy to the South. We read: "It needs men and women who will not be sent to the Southern field by our people, but who will feel the burden to go into this neglected portion of the vineyard of the Lord."

Some are inclined to feel that they lack the talent and ability needed by the laborer, but to them comes the message that farmers are needed,—farmers who have made a success at home, who love the country, and are willing to study their profession. Such men are an addition to any community, and the South welcomes all such. Mechanics are also needed. Teachers can find a world of work awaiting them. There is this to consider, also: the South is a place in which the inexperienced may learn to work. Abraham did not know much about how to work for the Lord in Palestine, but he answered the call, he went to the new land, and there learned what to do.

The present war conditions ought to teach us some things in regard to the South. The opening of the Panama Canal ought to be a parable which every Adventist finds himself ready to interpret. God is pointing the nations of the world to our own Southland. International interest is centering south of us. A new continent looms big in the distance. From our own Southern States should go forth an army of workers into this more distant south.

When a United States government official, addressing our own people, can ask for teachers capable of carrying on such work as is done in the self-supporting schools of the South, in the school at Madison, Tenn., and in the hill schools; can ask for such teachers to enter government schools, it shows that God has committed to his people great principles of education, the carrying out of which will put them in the lead. Can we heed his call? When shall we take up this work? When shall we begin the training for that great world-wide mission movement that is now due to the world?

The Madison school is working quietly, steadily, for the preparation of practical missionaries who can follow the instruction given for conducting our schools, for medical missionary work, for Christian farming, and for evangelical work. The work of the institution is carried on throughout the year. The next summer term opens June 24, and closes with the annual rally of self-supporting workers the last of August.

Are you still standing in the market place? There is work to do; let us show you into the vineyard.

M. BESSIE DEGRAW.