Education for Missionary Work
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knowledge. God suffered John, the beloved disciple, to be exiled to
Patmos, where he was separated from the world’s bustle and strife,
shut away from every outside influence, and even from the work that
he loved. Then the Lord could commune with him, opening before
him the closing scenes of this world’s history. John the Baptist made
his home in the wilderness, there to receive from God the message
that he was to bear,—a message that was to prepare the way for the
Coming One.
So far as consistent, we should shun every influence that would
tend to divert the mind from the work of God. And those especially
who are young in faith and experience should beware that they do not
in self-confidence place themselves in the way of temptation.
Those who take hold of the work aright, will feel the necessity
of having Jesus with them at every step, and they will feel that the
cultivation of the mind and the manners is a duty due to themselves
and required by God,—a duty which is essential to the success of the
work.
Self-Sufficiency
Some who contemplate becoming missionary workers may think
themselves so far advanced that they do not need all this particular drill;
but those who feel thus are the very ones who stand in the greatest need
of thorough training. When they know much more in regard to the
truth and the importance of the work, they will realize their ignorance
and inefficiency. When they closely examine their own hearts, they
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will see themselves in such contrast to the pure character of Christ that
they will cry out, “Who is sufficient for these things?” Then they will
in deep humility strive daily to place themselves in close connection
with Christ. While overcoming the selfish inclinations of the natural
heart, they are placing their feet in the path where Christ leads the way.
“The entrance of Thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto
the simple.” [
Psalm 119:130
]. But those who have a high estimate of
their own ability and acquisitions, are so full of self-importance that
there is no opportunity for the entrance of the word of God to instruct
and enlighten them.
Many feel that they are fitted for a work that they know scarcely
anything about; and if they start to labor in a self-important manner,