Education for the Missionary Work
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and training of those who are to co-operate with them. Colporteurs
and canvassers are needed, and those who are fitted to give Bible
readings in families, so that while the ministers are laboring in word
and doctrine, these can also be calling minds to the truth. Our ministers
who have gone to important places to hold tent-meetings have often
made a serious mistake in devoting all their time to sermonizing. There
should be less preaching and more teaching,—teaching the people,
and also teaching young men how to labor successfully. Ministers
should become efficient in teaching others how to study the Bible,
and in training the minds and manners of those who would become
workers in the cause of God. And they should be ready to counsel
and instruct those who have newly come to the faith, and who give
promise of possessing ability to work for the Master.
Those who are connected with tent labor should avail themselves
of all the advantages thus offered them. They should not be wandering
listlessly about while discourses are being given, as though there was
nothing in the sermon that they needed. They are not to regard the
speaker as merely one who is delivering an oration, but as God’s mes-
senger, bearing a message from heaven to men. Personal preferences
and prejudices must not come in to influence the hearer. All should
imitate the example of Cornelius and his friends, who said, “Now
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therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are
commanded thee of God.” If the hearers thus listen in faith, expecting a
message from God through his delegated messenger, they will receive
it and be profited.
The youth who aim to labor in the Master’s vineyard must be as ap-
prentices who are to learn the trade. They must learn to be useful in the
work by first doing errands for the Lord, improving opportunities for
doing missionary labor anywhere, and in any capacity. Thus they may
give evidence that they possess tact and qualifications for the greatest
work ever intrusted to men. They should be constantly improving
in mind, in manners, in speech, learning how to become successful
laborers. They should cultivate tact and courtesy, and manifest the
spirit of Christ. Let them never cease to learn. Onward and upward
should be their constant endeavor.
Both the youth and those of mature age, should, as they continue to
labor, be constantly becoming more efficient. To engage successfully
in a new branch of the work, the mental powers must be disciplined.