Preface
In the olden days, when Jerusalem was to be rebuilt, the prophet, in
vision, heard one heavenly messenger saying to another, “Run, speak
to this young man.” And so, in these days, the young men and young
women of the Advent movement have been given an important part to
act in the closing drama of earth’s history.
“The Lord has appointed the youth to be his helping hand.”—
Testimonies for the Church 7:64
.
“With such an army of workers as our youth, rightly trained, might
furnish, how soon the message of a crucified, risen, and soon-coming
Saviour might be carried to the whole world!”—
“Education,” page
271
.
Such messages as these have been coming to the young people of
this movement, through the spirit of prophecy, from the very beginning
of our work. The Lord’s chosen instrument for the manifestation of
this gift, Mrs. Ellen G. White, was a girl of only seventeen when
she began her work. She knew the struggles of childhood and youth
with the powers of darkness, and she knew the life of victory in Christ.
Many messages of instruction, sympathy, reproof, and encouragement
have come from her pen, addressed directly to the young people. And
these messages, always directing the minds of the youth to Christ and
to his word as the only source of strength in building noble Christian
manhood and womanhood, have done much to foster the spirit of
consecration that has characterized so many of our young people.
It was in 1892 and 1893 that messages were given, suggesting
that our young people should be organized into bands and societies
for Christian work. From these suggestions has developed the Young
People’s Society of Missionary Volunteers, which has proved to be
such a lifting and holding power in the lives of the Advent youth all
[8]
around the world.
While much that Sister White has written for our young people has
been published in her books, many articles that appeared in the Youth’s
Instructor and in other places have not been preserved in permanent
iv