The Review and Herald
May 6, 1890
Consecrated Workers Needed
A great work is to be done in the world, and those who have had advanced light and many opportunities, are under obligations to let their light shine forth to those who are in the darkness of error. Far less has been done in our city missions than might have been done, if the consecration necessary for real missionary work had existed. There has been a great outlay of means, and there is little to show for this expenditure. In order to do this work, the laborers have thought they must have many things provided for them, when they could have done just as good work in a more humble way. RH May 6, 1890, par. 1
The Lord is in need of workers who will push the triumphs of the cross of Christ. Jesus calls for every sincere, loyal disciple to engage faithfully in his service. In every department of the cause of God, there is need of men and women who have sympathy for the woes of humanity; but such sympathy is rare. RH May 6, 1890, par. 2
Those in charge of missions in large cities, should not seek to train the workers according to iron rules from which they cannot depart without placing themselves under censure. Order and regulation are essential in missions, especially in our city missions; but those who are in charge need to have discernment and quick perception, that they may study the character, and care for the health of the workers. They must not be like the Pharisees, “for they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.” By following such a course, the leaders shun the part of the work which would bring them in contact with souls who need personal labor. Personal contact with those who need help would give them a knowledge of the difficulties under which the workers labor, and they would have the precious satisfaction that success brings to the faithful. When the spirit of Christ pervades the heart, a Christ-like yearning, an intensity of love for souls will absorb every other interest, and self will no longer be prominent. RH May 6, 1890, par. 3
Some of the leaders have peculiar traits of character that lead them to make great mistakes by exalting a certain routine above weightier matters. To a set routine they sacrifice the higher and the more important interests, in the same cause, and for the advancement of the same work. Love, gratitude, and mercy need to be carefully cultivated. RH May 6, 1890, par. 4
Christ said of the Pharisees, “Ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith; these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.” He who is wanting in the purer, nobler qualities of the soul,—mercy and the love of God,—will be deficient, and his deficiency will be seen in his works until he comes up on a higher, holier ground of action. Those in authority should not enforce rigid discipline upon the workers associated with them, for it is an easy matter, under certain circumstances brought about by such a course, for objectionable hereditary traits of character to be strengthened and developed. RH May 6, 1890, par. 5
Men and women in responsible places, who are brought into connection with others, should exercise the love and discrimination which their position and the work of God require. Then the motives will be high and Christ-like, and the objectionable features in the character that circumstances made so favorable for exhibition, will be transformed. When selfish traits of character are constantly indulged, it hinders the sympathy of Christ from pervading the soul, and men become overbearing in their natures and in their dealings with others; but the love of Jesus, when cherished in the soul, will become stronger than the masterful passions of the human heart. Every one who is under the influence of the Spirit of God, will become transformed by his grace. It is our privilege to bring the love of Jesus into our lives while in our associations with those for whom Christ died. Even if not sympathetic by nature, every true Christian will manifest love, the crowning grace of all graces. Says the Saviour, “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” Love is fruit of the richest, purest flavor, and the actions that flow from high and holy motives tend to the development and enlargement of personal piety; they give evidence that our faith and practice, though not in harmony with the Christian world, are not contrary to the law and to the testimony. Jesus said of his followers, “Ye shall know them by their fruits.” RH May 6, 1890, par. 6
Inquire prayerfully, while you search the Scriptures diligently, “What service has the Lord enjoined upon me?” One thing is certain, we must keep the way of the Lord, and not imagine our own ways perfect. Individually, we must place ourselves in a position not to command, but to act; to do something and to do it now. Those who are connected with the work of God as leaders in some special place, are under the same obligation to be as diligent in their line of duty, as they require others to be in their line. When they know by experience the various difficulties to be overcome, they will not expect too much of others. As they impart instruction to others in practical godliness, they will gain a better knowledge of how to educate others to work. It requires wisdom from God to devise methods, to lift the burdens of perplexity, and to vary plans to make them more successful in reaching souls under different circumstances. We are fearfully behind in the improvement of our intrusted talents. The religion of the Bible alone is able to save the soul. RH May 6, 1890, par. 7
While we are encased in self-righteousness, and trust in ceremonies, and depend on rigid rules, we cannot do the work for this time. We must rise above the frosty atmosphere in which we have hitherto lived, and with which Satan would surround our souls, and breathe in the hallowed atmosphere of heaven. Could we now leave the cold, traditional sentiments which hinder our advancement, we would view the work of saving souls in an altogether different light. Our eyes would be opened to see opportunities; our faith would stand the test of trial, and we would not wait for every obstacle to be removed before we would trust the word of God. How many of us believe the word of God? How many are giving self without reserve to his service, sinking their ways and their spirit into God's ways and his Spirit? Are we doing missionary work in the spirit of Jesus? or, having eyes, see we not? and having ears, hear we not? RH May 6, 1890, par. 8
The Lord has made us as a people the depositaries of his truth; this truth is fraught with eternal interests, and yet we are spiritually dead. We do not realize the situation in which we are placed. We are to be light-bearers to the world, and yet there are scores in our large churches who are unconcerned in regard to the salvation of sinners. Are we the men and women to whom the light of the Scriptures has been revealed which we are to let shine forth to the world in clear, steady rays? In giving you the truth, and commanding you to make it known to those who are in darkness, has God made a mistake? RH May 6, 1890, par. 9
This is a God-given and a saving message to them that believe. If the spirit of Jesus, who came to seek and to save that which was lost, were in our hearts, the question could not be asked, “Why stand ye here all the day idle?” How earnest would be our efforts! how we would deny ourselves to help the souls who need our help! and by partaking of the spirit of Christ, we would not fail nor be discouraged. We would study, plan, and pray to God for wisdom and grace, that we might save the souls in the highways and broadways of life. The Holy Spirit of God must come into our hearts, to sanctify our souls, and to arouse our entire beings to earnest action. We must drink deeper of the spirit of the message; we must realize the situation in which we are placed. The end is near! The religious amendment which is being so decidedly urged, if carried, would materially change the features of our work, and hedge up our way. Everything in our outward world shows that an important crisis is about to open upon us. Are we ready for it? Have we, by working when and where we could, prepared ourselves and others for the momentous future? Can we, in our present state of inaction, take in the great ideas and the truth for this time? We need faith, more faith; we must believe in Jesus as our personal Saviour. Do we believe the word of God or the traditions of men? Who of us believe that men can be saved without having practical working faith in Christ? If we are working mind, heart, and soul, as in the light of the judgment day, we are laborers together with God. Divine and human efforts must be combined. The Lord gives the rain and the sunshine, the clouds and the dew; these are Heaven-bestowed gifts; yet there is a work for man to do, or these blessings will prove of little worth to him. Painstaking effort is required in the tilling of the soil; all the conditions must be fulfilled on man's part in sowing the seed and gathering the harvest, or the benefits of Heaven will fail of their designed purpose. RH May 6, 1890, par. 10
Whenever man accomplishes anything, it is by co-operation with his Maker; but in the saving of the souls of men, God does all the work, making man his instrument. Man cannot manage the work of God in his own way, for the outward work is vain unless God works with it. Divine power must mingle with human effort, or we cannot be laborers together with God. Man must use the faculties which God has given him, and co-operate with all the saving agencies placed at his command. He must pray, he must search the Scriptures, he must believe the word of God, he must know that Christ is the propitiation for his sins, and for the sins of the whole world. RH May 6, 1890, par. 11
Let us put ourselves wholly on the Lord's side. May it be the language of every heart, “Lord, I will believe; I do believe thy word.” Cherish love and confidence, for by cultivating these graces, they will grow. Talk faith, live faith, and in the face of every discouragement plant yourselves on the promises of God. Those who are engaged in our missions, doing the work of the Master, should continually learn lessons of faith, and grow in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Then they will witness the manifestation of the power of God, and missions will become all that the Lord designs them to be. The workers should cease all worrying, all complaining, all fault-finding against God, and be clothed with humility. RH May 6, 1890, par. 12
Our Lord asked the question, “When the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?” He will find men full of plans; there will be plenty of resolutions as to what shall and what shall not be done; but will he find the faith upon the earth, the love for Christ and for one another, that he values above everything else? I fear many who claim to be children of God are showing the unbelief of the world, and are saying by their coldness, their want of love for one another, that Jesus is not abiding in their hearts by faith. Let us put the armor on, let us talk of Christ's coming to our world, and let us get ready for that great event, that we may meet our Lord in peace. RH May 6, 1890, par. 13