“Go Ye Into All The World”
127
True Missionary Spirit Essential
The Steward family apparently left the church for a time, but were
“reclaimed.” Mary steward became an efficient and valued proofreader
and copy editor at the Review and Herald. After Ellen White returned
from Australia, Mary was employed for several years as one of her
helpers. She points out many character defects that kept Mary from
becoming a missionary. Perhaps it was this letter, written in 1891, that
helped Mary Steward to a closer walk with Jesus
.
Dear Sister Mary Steward,
While I have been earnestly praying to the Lord to understand
my duty in regard to going to Australia, and as to whom we shall
take with us, the Lord has plainly made known to me that you are not
the proper one to be that help to me that I need in the work He has
given me to do. You cannot enter into the spirit of the work in a new
and untried missionary field. These words were repeated, “Spiritual
things are spiritually discerned.” The character of everyone brought in
connection with the light that the Lord communicates to His people
will be proved and tested. If there is not expansion and development,
and an increase of faith and holiness consistent with the light shining
upon their pathway ... there will be a blindness that will not see and
discern the deep things of God. With those who appreciate the light
God has given, there will be a freshness and power and growth in
grace, and light will be diffused to others.
There is need of a missionary, self-sacrificing, self-denying spirit
with all who connect with the work God has given me to do, else my
influence will not be what God designs it shall be. And unless you
are advancing in the knowledge and love of God, you cannot maintain
even the light that you now have. If the light does not shine more
and more, it will grow dim and flicker away in darkness. Every work
[137]
will be mingled and tainted with self. God will not accept it. It is
impossible for myself, or any connected with me, to be channels of
light and bear the duties and responsibilities that this work involves
unless they are growing in grace and the knowledge of Jesus Christ.
All connected with me and the solemn work God has given me to do
must represent the character of that work. [They must] be an example
to others in humility and Christlike character, in faithfulness, in cross-
bearing, in prompt and vigorous action, in unswerving fidelity to the