“Here Am I, Lord, Send Me”
91
The call to be given in “the highways” is to be proclaimed to
all who have an active part in the world’s work, to the teachers and
leaders of the people. Those who bear heavy responsibilities in public
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life—physicians and teachers, lawyers and judges, public officers and
businessmen—should be given a clear, distinct message. What shall it
profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?
Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?”
Mark 8:36, 37
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We talk and write much of the neglected poor; should not some
attention be given also to the neglected rich? Many look upon this
class as hopeless, and they do little to open the eyes of those who,
blinded and dazed by the power of Satan, have lost eternity out of
their reckoning. Thousands of wealthy men have gone to their graves
unwarned because they have been judged by appearance and passed by
as hopeless subjects. But, indifferent as they may appear, I have been
shown that most of this class are soul-burdened. There are thousands
of rich men who are starving for spiritual food. Many in official life
feel their need of something which they have not. Few among them
go to church, for they feel that they receive no benefit. The teaching
they hear does not touch the soul. Shall we make no personal effort in
their behalf?
Some will ask: Can we not reach them with publications? There
are many who cannot be reached in this way. It is personal effort that
they need. Are they to perish without a special warning? It was not so
in ancient times. God’s servants were sent to tell those in high places
that they could find peace and rest only in the Lord Jesus Christ.
The Majesty of heaven came to our world to save lost, fallen
humanity. His efforts included not merely the outcasts but those in
places of high honor. Ingeniously He worked to obtain access to
souls in the higher classes who knew not God and did not keep His
commandments.
The same work was continued after Christ’s ascension. My heart
is made very tender as I read of the interest manifested by the Lord
in Cornelius. Cornelius was a man in high position, an officer in the
Roman army, but he was walking in strict accordance with all the light
he had received. The Lord sent a special message from heaven to him,
and by another message directed Peter to visit him and give him light.
It ought to be a great encouragement to us in our work to think of the