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True Missionary Effort Begins in the Home, September 2
And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the
commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.
Luke 1:6
.
In forming a relationship with Christ, the renewed man is but coming
back to his appointed relationship with God.... His first duty is to his
children and his nearest relatives. Nothing can excuse him from neglecting
the inner circle for the larger circle outside. In the day of final reckoning
fathers and mothers ... will be asked what they did and said to secure
the salvation of the souls they took upon themselves the responsibility of
bringing into the world. Did they neglect their lambs, leaving them to the
care of strangers? ... A great good done for others will not cancel the debt
you owe to God to care for your children. The spiritual welfare of your
family comes first
In rightly training and molding the minds of her children, mothers are
entrusted with the greatest mission ever given to mortals
Whenever you take up the duty that lies nearest you, then God will
bless you, and hear your prayers. There are too many doing outside
missionary work, while their own households are left destitute of any such
efforts,—going to ruin through neglect.... The first missionary work is
to see that love, light, and joy come into the home circle. Let us not be
looking for some great temperance or missionary work to do until we have
first done the duties at home. Every morning we should think, What kind
act can I do today? What tender word can I speak? Kind words at home
are blessed sunshine. The husband needs them, the wife needs them, the
children need them.... It ought to be the desire of every heart to make as
much heaven below as possible
A soul saved in your own family circle or in your own neighborhood,
by your patient, painstaking labor, will bring as much honor to the name
of Christ, and will shine as brightly in your crown as if you had found that
soul in China or India
[253]
5
The General Conference Bulletin, April 1, 1899
.
6
Manuscript 29, 1886
.
7
The Review and Herald, December 23, 1884
.
8
The Signs of the Times , November 10, 1881
.
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