Chapter 35—Missionary Work
December 10, 1871, I was shown that God would accomplish a
great work through the truth if devoted, self-sacrificing men would
give themselves unreservedly to the work of presenting it to those in
darkness. Those who have a knowledge of the precious truth, and who
are consecrated to God, should avail themselves of every opportunity
where there is an opening to press in the truth. Angels of God are
moving on the hearts and consciences of the people of other nations,
and honest souls are troubled as they witness the signs of the times
in the unsettled state of the nations. The inquiry arises in their hearts,
What will be the end of all these things? While God and angels are at
work to impress hearts, the servants of Christ seem to be asleep. But
few are working in unison with the heavenly messengers.
If ministers and people were sufficiently aroused, they would not
rest thus indifferently, while God has honored them by making them
the depositaries of His law, by printing it in their minds and writing
it upon their hearts. These truths of vital importance are to test the
world; and yet in our own country there are cities, villages, and towns
that have never heard the warning message. Young men who feel
stirred by the appeals that have been made for help in this great work
of advancing the cause of God, make some advance moves, but do not
get the burden of the work upon them sufficiently to accomplish what
they might.
If young men who commence to labor in this cause would have the
missionary spirit, they would give evidence that God has indeed called
them to the work. But when they do not go out into new places, but
are content to go from church to church, they give evidence that the
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burden of the work is not upon them. The ideas of our young preachers
are not broad enough. Their zeal is too feeble. Were the young men
awake and devoted to the Lord, they would be diligent every moment
of their time, and would seek to qualify themselves to become laborers
in the missionary field.
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