General Conference Bulletin, vol. 4

OUR PUBLISHING HOUSES AS TRAINING SCHOOLS FOR MISSIONARIES

W. C. SISLEY

(Extracts from paper by W. C. Sisley.) GCB April 2, 1901, page 2.7

What is meant by the term “A Training School for Missionaries”? GCB April 2, 1901, page 2.8

One says there is no better missionary work than to labor earnestly, unselfishly, and efficiently in one of our publishing houses. GCB April 2, 1901, page 2.9

Another says the field is the world, and not a printing office; and that a missionary is one who is sent, not one who is kept at home working all the time in an office. GCB April 2, 1901, page 2.10

A third says we should in some way unite the two plans. We must have in each of our publishing houses, a good, well-trained corps of experienced workmen who will stay by the institution, and we ought to have in each publishing house a regular training school, where the proper persons can receive a thorough training in canvassing, colportage, and Bible reading, and general missionary work. GCB April 2, 1901, page 2.11

While the first plan will secure a corps of experienced, well-trained workmen, needed in all our publishing houses. There would be danger of these workmen becoming narrow and selfish in their views. GCB April 2, 1901, page 2.12

In the second plan we can see how easy it would be to reduce our working force of printers for a company of mere inexperienced persons, good at heart, but without experience and ability successfully to manage and operate the publishing business. GCB April 2, 1901, page 2.13

As the third plan aims to embody the first two, we believe it will most readily meet our requirements. There are, of course, some serious difficulties in the way of carrying out this plan, but none, we think, that can not be overcome. GCB April 2, 1901, page 2.14

Take whatever view we may of this question, all of us can clearly see that there is need of some decided changes in the management of our publishing houses before they can do the most efficient work in training employees to become missionaries. GCB April 2, 1901, page 3.1

The managers of the Review and Herald have been greatly troubled to find the proper kind of help. Many people are anxious to get their children into the office, that they may be reformed or saved. While this, to a certain extent, may be right, it does not tend to increase the spirituality of the institution, or to build up a strong corps of efficient, self-sacrificing workmen. Many persons thus employed will stay with us only until they learn enough of the trade to command good wages, and then, without even thanking us for the trouble and expense of training them, leave for the world. Others, not so bright, will stay with us, because they can not do so well elsewhere. GCB April 2, 1901, page 3.2

There should be a growing sentiment throughout all our ranks against employing permanently, or retaining in our publishing houses, any who do not give evidence of an earnest Christian purpose, and a thorough devotion to the cause of God. GCB April 2, 1901, page 3.3

The leading men in all our different Conferences could render the most favorable conditions. GCB April 2, 1901, page 3.4

As an aid to strengthening the missionary spirit in the workers, we believe each publishing house should have outside its own regular work, some line of missionary work to support and care for—something that all the regular employees can become interested in, and work for. GCB April 2, 1901, page 3.5

We hope that this question will not be dropped, until our publishing houses are put in the best possible condition for the training of missionaries, and are actually engaged in the business. GCB April 2, 1901, page 3.6