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Student Missionary Work
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whether they have a right hold from above. If they have a living
connection with heaven they will have an influence for good on those
with whom they come in contact.
A Valuable Experience
While we were living at Cooranbong, where the Avondale school
is established, the question of amusements came up for consider-
ation. “What shall we do to provide for the amusement of our
students?” the faculty inquired. We talked matters over together, and
then I came before the students and said to them:
“We can occupy our minds and our time profitably without trying
to devise methods for amusing ourselves. Instead of spending time in
playing the games that so many students play, strive to do something
for the Master.
“The very best course for you to pursue is to engage in mis-
sionary work for the people of the neighborhood and in the nearby
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settlements. Whenever you are listening to an interesting discourse,
take notes and mark down the passages that the minister uses, so
that you can review the subject carefully. Then after faithful study
you will soon be able to give a synopsis of the discourses, in the
form of Bible readings, to some who do not come to our meetings.”
The older students decided to follow this suggestion. They had
evening meetings for studying the Scriptures together. They worked
first of all for one another, and as a result of the Bible studies among
themselves, a number of the unconverted were won to the truth.
And the effort in behalf of the neighbors was a blessing not only to
themselves, but to those for whom they labored.
Those who went out to work for the neighbors were instructed
to report any case of sickness they might find; and those who had
had training in giving treatment to the sick were encouraged to use
their knowledge in a practical way. To work for the Master came to
be regarded as Christlike recreation.
After a time the Sunday labor question came up for consideration.
It seemed as if the lines were soon to be drawn so tightly about us
that we should not be able to work on Sunday. Our school was
situated in the heart of the woods, far from any village or railway
station. No one was living near enough to be disturbed in any way by