Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 18 (1903)

Ms 138, 1903

How We Can Help the Southern Work

“Elmshaven,” St. Helena, California

November 17, 1903

This manuscript is published in entirety in Southern Missionary, 1903 #4.

My Dear Brethren and Sisters everywhere,—

I wish to ask if you would not regard it as a privilege to lay aside a certain sum weekly for the Southern field. Will you not put in a prominent place in your home a box with the inscription, “For the Work Among the Colored People of the South”? Will you not ask your children to put into this box the money that they would otherwise spend for candy and other needless things? When visitors come to your home, they will see the box and will ask in regard to it. Let the children tell the story of their effort to help a needy missionary field by denying self. 18LtMs, Ms 138, 1903, par. 1

The giving that is the fruit of self-denial is a wonderful help to the giver. It imparts an education that enables us more fully to comprehend the work of Him who went about doing good, relieving the suffering and supplying the needs of the destitute. The Saviour lived not to please Himself. In His life there was no trace of selfishness. Though in a world that He Himself had created, He claimed no part of it as His home. “Foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests,” He said, “but the Son of man hath not where to lay His head.” [Luke 9:58.] 18LtMs, Ms 138, 1903, par. 2

I ask the children to show an unselfish interest in the work in the South. Will they not give their mites to help in this work? There are many ways in which they might earn money for this purpose. One of our brethren bought wall pockets and sold them to our sisters at the cost price. Those who bought them sold them to their friends and neighbors at an advance and gave the proceeds to the Southern work. My son has often written me how much the means thus raised helped in the first establishment of the work. Cannot the children make simple, useful household articles and sell them, telling those to whom these things are offered of the work to which the money thus raised is to be devoted? 18LtMs, Ms 138, 1903, par. 3

Earnest, continuous effort in this direction will accomplish much. Every gift, however small, will help. Think of how much has been accomplished by the widow’s mite. How many, by Christ’s recognition of this gift, have been inspired with a determination to do something for the Lord, even though they were so poor that they could give but a small sum. 18LtMs, Ms 138, 1903, par. 4

Let those who are spending small or large sums for self-gratification ask themselves, Can I not, for Christ’s sake, deny self? Are you using tea, coffee, or other harmful things? Will you not give up their use, and send the money thus saved to those who are trying to help the colored people? The good thus accomplished will be twofold: you yourself, by giving up these harmful indulgences, will be helped mentally and physically; and by your gifts the needy colored people of the South will be helped. 18LtMs, Ms 138, 1903, par. 5

All Can Do Something

We are not to wait for something great to do. We are to perform faithfully the duty lying nearest us, small though it may be. Faithfulness in the performance of small duties fits us for the bearing of larger responsibilities. 18LtMs, Ms 138, 1903, par. 6

Have you only one talent? Put it out to the exchangers, by wise investment increasing it to two. Do with your might what your hands find to do. Use your talent so wisely that it will fulfil its appointed mission. 18LtMs, Ms 138, 1903, par. 7

You may be tempted to say, I will make no effort. What good could one talent accomplish. But do not yield to the temptation. Think of the punishment of the slothful servant, who, entrusted with one talent, refused to put it to use. “Take therefore the talent from him,” was the command, “and give it unto him which hath ten talents.” [Matthew 25:28.] 18LtMs, Ms 138, 1903, par. 8

Because you have but one talent, let your effort be all the more earnest. The Lord has given you a work as verily as He has given a work to the one who has five talents. If you trade wisely on the one talent entrusted to you, God will give you ability to use a larger number. 18LtMs, Ms 138, 1903, par. 9

Children to be Missionaries

Fathers and mothers, teach your children how to exercise their physical and mental capabilities in useful work. How much better for them to be usefully employed than to be reading stories, preparing themselves to become mental inebriates. Teach them that God has a part for them to act in His great missionary work. Do not allow their physical, mental, or moral powers to be misdirected. Your children belong to God, and you are to teach them how to co-operate with Him, how to use the powers of mind and body in His service. 18LtMs, Ms 138, 1903, par. 10

The Lord will bless them as they work for Him. They can be His helping hand. As they do their work in the home with faithfulness, they are laboring in unity with Christ for the formation of Christlike characters. They are helping to bear the burdens of the household, and the mother is not obliged to be a slave to the family. 18LtMs, Ms 138, 1903, par. 11

Children can be acceptable missionaries in the home and in the church. God would have them taught that they are in this world for useful service, not merely for play. They can be trained to do missionary work that will prepare them to fill wider spheres of usefulness. 18LtMs, Ms 138, 1903, par. 12

Parents, help your children to prepare for the mansions that Christ has gone to prepare for those that love Him. Help them to fulfil God’s purpose for them. Let your training be such that it will help them to be an honor to the One who died to secure for them eternal life in the kingdom of God. Teach them to respond to the invitation, “Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart, and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.” [Matthew 11:29, 30.] 18LtMs, Ms 138, 1903, par. 13

Let parents and children work earnestly to help others. Thus the good work will deepen and broaden. Higher education is that education which leads human beings to be laborers together with God, practicing self-denial and self-sacrifice, revealing compassion and sympathy. Those who have gained such an education will be acknowledged by God in the heavenly courts, in the presence of Christ and the angels. 18LtMs, Ms 138, 1903, par. 14

An Opportunity to Co-operate With Christ

The Southern field is calling for the help that you can give. In this field there is need of schools, sanitariums, and meeting houses. Without these facilities, the work cannot be carried forward as it should be. Will you not do what you can to place the work in this field on a solid basis? Will you not come up to the help of the Lord just now? There is not a moment to lose. Christ is asking for your co-operation. 18LtMs, Ms 138, 1903, par. 15

The Southern Watchman is an excellent paper, and one way in which you can help is by getting subscriptions for it. I urge our church members to take this paper and to ask others to take it. It contains reading matter that is just what is needed by those not of our faith. Show this paper to your friends and neighbors. Many will subscribe for it if it is brought to their notice. It will be to them as a messenger of the gospel. Are there not children who will try to get subscribers for The Watchman? 18LtMs, Ms 138, 1903, par. 16

My brethren and sisters, will you not do your best at this time to help the Southern field, not only by making gifts, but by teaching your children to work for it. I have tried to keep this field before our people as a legacy from the Lord. It has been strangely neglected, and we are now to do all that we can to redeem the time. 18LtMs, Ms 138, 1903, par. 17

I hope and pray that the parents and children in our ranks will be led by the Holy Spirit so to work that the Lord can bestow on them the blessing that is for every true-hearted, consecrated missionary, be he old or young. I beg of you not to neglect this opportunity to be co-laborers with Christ. Work for God in whatever way may open before you. Help in the way that I have mentioned. Let parents and children unite in the effort that the Lord has shown me they can make for the advancement of His work in the South. 18LtMs, Ms 138, 1903, par. 18

Think of the many, many colored people who need to be taught to read the Word of God. Think of the thousands who have not yet heard the message of salvation. Do you not desire to do something to advance the work of God among them? Think of how untiringly Christ worked when in our world! In the temple and the synagogues, in the streets of the cities, in the market place, in the workshop, by the seaside, and among the hills He preached the gospel and healed the sick. His life was one of unselfish service, and it is to be our lesson book. The work that He began we are to carry forward. 18LtMs, Ms 138, 1903, par. 19

I leave these words with you. May the Lord help you all to understand the urgency of the call for help. We have no time to lose. God will help you, His angels will be with you, as you do your part to advance His work. 18LtMs, Ms 138, 1903, par. 20