Working for Outcasts
179
Father teaches us that the helpless and outcast are not to be passed by
indifferently. They are the Lord’s by creation and by redemption. If
we were left to ourselves to judge, we would regard many who are
degraded as hopeless. But the Lord sees the value of the silver in
them. Though they do not look for help, He regards them as precious.
The one who sees beneath the surface knows how to deal with human
minds. He knows how to bring men to repentance. He knows that if
they see themselves as sinners, they will repent and be converted to
the truth. This is the work we are to engage in.—
Letter 80, 1898
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Not to Ask—“Are They Worthy?”—To the appeal of the erring,
the tempted, the wretched victims of want and sin, the Christian does
not ask, Are they worthy? but, How can I benefit them? In the
most wretched, the most debased, he sees souls whom Christ died
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to save, and for whom God has given to His children the ministry of
reconciliation.—
Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, 40
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Discovered by Medical Missionary Work—I have been in-
structed that the medical missionary work will discover, in the very
depths of degradation, men who, though they have given themselves
up to intemperate, dissolute habits, will respond to the right kind of
labor. But they need to be recognized and encouraged. Firm, patient,
earnest effort will be required in order to lift them up. They cannot
restore themselves. They may hear Christ’s call, but their ears are too
dull to take in its meaning; their eyes are too blind to see anything
good in store for them. They are dead in trespasses and sins. Yet
even these are not to be excluded from the gospel feast. They are
to receive the invitation: “Come.” Though they may feel unworthy,
the Lord says: “Compel them to come in.” Listen to no excuse. By
love and kindness lay right hold of them.... This work, properly con-
ducted, will save many a poor sinner who has been neglected by the
churches.—
Testimonies for the Church 6:279, 280
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In this work of restoration much painstaking effort will be required.
No startling communications of strange doctrines should be made to
these souls, but as they are helped physically the truth for this time
should be presented. Men and women and youth need to see the law
of God with its far-reaching requirements. It is not hardship, toil, or
poverty that degrades humanity; it is sin, the transgression of God’s
law. The efforts put forth to rescue the outcast and degraded will be of
no avail unless the claims of the law of God and the need of loyalty