The Home Missionary
September 1, 1892
“The Saviour directed his disciples to begin their work in Jerusalem, and then pass on through Judea and Samaria, and unto the uttermost parts of the earth. Only a small proportion of the people accepted the doctrine; but the messengers bore the message from place to place, passing from country to country, lifting the standard of the gospel in all the near and far-off places of the earth. But there was a preparatory work. The Saviour's promise was, ‘But ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you, and ye shall be witnesses unto me.’ Although thousands at home neglect this great salvation, and prove themselves unworthy of eternal life, let zealous efforts be put forth for those who are in the midnight of darkness. God will speak to the unenlightened. This light is to shine amid the moral darkness. ‘I have set thee to be a light to the Gentiles, that thou shouldst be for salvation unto the ends of the earth.’ While there are so many to be sought for, so many that are in gross darkness, shall we not cry aloud and spare not?” HM September 1, 1892, par. 1
“My mind is exercised day and night in regard to our missionary work. I am alarmed because there is so little genuine burden for perishing souls. The church knows her duty well if she would only contemplate the situation. There is work to be done in home missionary efforts; there is much to be done in far-off lands. Why are there not hundreds giving themselves to the work where now there is one?” HM September 1, 1892, par. 2
“The heavenly agencies are waiting to co-operate with human agencies in the grand work of reflecting light to the world. Wherever there is even one soul converted on earth, there is a response of joy circulated through heaven. Wherever one soul is snatched from Satan's hand and given as a trophy to Jesus Christ, there is joy in the presence of God, Jesus Christ, and the holy angels, because the lost is found. I send my appeal to the churches to ‘Rise and shine, for the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.’ ‘Ye have not,’ said Christ, ‘chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go forth and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he may give it you.’” HM September 1, 1892, par. 3