Economy in Mission Work
Laborers for God must work with intelligence, frugality, and hu-
mility. There are those who undertake too much, and by so doing
accomplish little. Our efforts must be more concentrated. Every stroke
must tell. The mind must be active to discern the best ways and means
of reaching the people near us. In an effort to do a work at a distance
from us, we often let opportunities within our reach slip away. Thus
time and means are lost in both places.
Our missionary workers must learn to economize. The largest
reservoir, though fed by abundant and living springs, will fail to supply
the demand if there are leakages which drain off the supply. It must
not be left for one man to decide whether a certain field will warrant
large efforts. If the workers in one field so fashion the work as to
incur large expenses, they are barring the way so that other important
fields—fields which perhaps would better warrant the outlay—cannot
be entered.
Our younger laborers must be content to work their way among
the people slowly and surely, under the advice of those who have had
more experience. The ideas of many are too high. A more humble
manner of working would show good results. It is encouraging to see
the young enter the missionary field, enlisting all their ardor and zeal
in the work; but they must not be left to manage for themselves, and
keep the cause of God weighed down with debt. All should strive by
wise management and earnest labor to gather enough to pay their own
expenses. They should labor to make the cause self-sustaining, and
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should teach the people to rely upon themselves.
Our ministers should not feel at liberty to pay large sums for halls in
which to hold meetings, when they do not feel the burden of following
up the interest by personal labor. The results are too uncertain to
warrant the using of means so rapidly. If churches and halls are opened
to any of the laborers, and there is a desire to hear, they should embrace
the opportunity, and do the best they can; but it is not wisdom for a
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