Chapter 3—Counsel to Missionaries in Africa
Battle Creek, Michigan March, 1890 Dear brethren now labouring
as missionaries in the field of Africa: You have not all the same stamp
of character, and each will be inclined to think that the work must
be moulded according to his own ideas and views. Unconsciously to
yourselves, this spirit will be cherished, and you will seek to introduce
methods of your own. The workers should first obtain the grace of
Christ, so they will be enabled to sink self out of sight; then there will
be unity, even among a diversity of dispositions. Before any of you
went to Africa as missionaries, it was shown me that there would be
difficulty in your labours, not necessarily because the workers were so
differently constituted, but because of each esteeming himself above
his brethren. The brethren varied so evidently in organization and
in their views of the work, that each, instead of modifying his own
strong traits of character, would be in danger of drawing away from
the others, and this drawing apart would leave an influence among the
new converts that would retard the work and dishonour God.
You are indeed labourers together with God, and will you seek
most earnestly to answer the prayer of Christ that you may be one as
He is one with the Father? Let there be no dissensions among you.
When each wants to have his own way, disparaging the methods of
others, the tendency is to bring great confusion into the work. Each
becomes discouraged, and this leads to the discouragement of others
who are quick to discern any variance. This is a bad example to set,
especially in a new field, where everything should move like well-
regulated machinery, the work of one matching the work of another,
thus manifesting that you are God’s instrument. If you fully realize
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the importance of God’s work, you will not work in opposition one to
another.
Be careful how you build, for it is for time and for eternity. Coun-
sel together, have your seasons of prayer together; make no move
independently or in opposition to one another. Christ is our living
head, and we are members of His body, and all dependent upon the
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