Basic HTML Version
Gaining Efficiency
The third angel is represented as flying in the midst of heaven,
showing that the message is to go throughout the length and breadth
of the earth. It is the most solemn message ever given to mortals,
and all who propose to connect themselves with the work should
first feel their need of an education, of the most thorough training.
Plans should be made and efforts put forth for the improvement of
those who anticipate entering any branch of the work.
Ministerial labor should not be entrusted to boys, neither should
the work of giving Bible readings be entrusted to young girls, be-
cause they offer their services and are willing to take responsible
positions, while they are wanting in religious experience and lack a
thorough education and training. They must be proved; for unless
they develop a firm, conscientious principle to be all that God would
have them be, they will not correctly represent His cause. All who
are engaged in the work, in every mission, should gain a depth of
experience. Those who are young in the work should have the help
of such as have had experience and understand the manner of work-
ing. Missionary operations are constantly embarrassed for want of
workers of the right class of mind—workers who have devotion and
piety that will correctly represent our faith.
There are many who ought to become missionaries, but who
never enter the field because those who are united with them in
[501]
church capacity or in our colleges do not feel the burden to labor
with them, to open before them the claims of God upon all their
powers, and do not pray with and for them. The eventful period
which decides the course of life passes, their convictions are stifled,
other influences and inducements attract them, and temptations to
seek positions that will, they think, bring them financial gain, take
them into the worldly current. These young men might have been
saved to the cause.
Our schools are to be training schools. If men and women come
forth from them fitted in any sense for the missionary field, they
401