The Floating Seventh-day Adventist Church

52 Pages·2008·6.11 MB·English

VOLUME XXIX, No. 1 OVERSEAS EVANGELISM SPECIAL JANUARY, 1956
The Floating Seventh-day Adventist Church
This photograph shows the floating congregation of forty-five church mem
Seventh-day Adventist church in the bers meets in this church, which is
Central Amazon Mission of the North anchored about seven hours down the
Brazil Union. Some of the members of Amazon River from Manaus. Necessity
the congregation are shown in their brought about the idea of a floating
canoes, used as a means of transporta church. Read the interesting story of
tion to and from their sanctuary. A this unique place of meeting on page 3.
•>» TO TO TOTO TOTOTO
Another year of life is now in the past. A new year is opening
before us. What will be its record? What will we each inscribe upon
its spotless pages? The manner in which we spend each passing dav
will decide this question. . . .
Let us enter upon the new year with our hearts cleansed from the
defilement of selfishness and pride. Let us put away every sinful indul
gence, and seek to become faithful, diligent learners in the school of
Christ. A new year opens its unsullied pages before us. What shall we
write upon them? . . .
Seek to begin this year with right purposes and pure motives, as
beings who are accountable to God. Ever bear in mind that your acts
are daily passing into history by the pen of the recording angel. You must
meet them again when the Judgment shall sit and the books shall be
opened. . . .
If we connect with God, the source of peace, and light, and truth,
His Spirit will flow through us as a channel, to refresh and bless all
around us. This may be the last year of life to us. Shall we not enter
upon it with thoughtful consideration? Shall not sincerity, respect, benev
olence, mark our deportment toward all?
Let us withhold nothing from Him who gave His precious life for
us. ... Let us consecrate to God the property He has intrusted to us.
Above all, let us give Him ourselves, a free-will offering. Let us do
His will, live for His glory, and He will give us a Happy New Year.
£LLEN G. WHITE, in The Signs of the Times, Jan. 5, 1882.
Page 2 THE MINISTRY
In This Issue
NEARLY half of the readers of THE MINIS
TRY live and labor in overseas fields. While
Official Organ, of the we endeavor to keep a balance of articles in the
MINISTERIAL ASSOCIATION OF SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS journal from all parts of the field, we feel it
Editor: is appropriate occasionally to have an issue
ROY ALLAN ANDERSON
slanted more particularly to our workers in
Associate Editors:
other lands.
REUBEN R, FIGUHR, ALBERT V. OLSOX
We call your special attention to the Counsel
LOUISE C. KLEUSER, GEORGE E. VANDEMAN
WALTER SCHUBERT, EARL E. CLEVELAND section on page 40, featuring "The Summons
Office Editor; Advertising and Circulation Manager: of the Spirit of Prophecy." Elder Froom's article
BEN GLANZER on page 11 also stresses the burden of these
Consulting Advertising Manager: R. J. CHRISTIAN Spirit of prophecy quotations.
Cover The Floating Church
WE ARE presenting a picture of the floating
VOLUME XXIX NUMBER 1 Seventh-day Adventist church in the Central
Amazon Mission of the North Brazil Union.
AT A GLANCE
This church is anchored about seven hours
FEATURES __..____....__.___„_._.._..„_.............—- 4 down the Amazon River by launch from Ma-
naus. A congregation of forty-four baptized
PPrroovviinngg OOuur Trust Developing Younger Workers
FFrroomm aa MMiissssiioonnaarryy''ss LLeetttteerr G Glelea ms of the Golden members meets in this church. The Sabbath
Morning Where Is the Lamb?
school numbers sixty-two. John Lima, a farmer,
EDITORIALS _„____________ 20
is the treasurer of the church and the director of
We Call It Sacrifice Congress on Bible Prophecy
the Sabbath school.
NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS _______-. 24
The idea of a floating church for this con
EVANGELISM ____-___-__-_-__-_____—_ 25 gregation first began to catch the imagination
Cutlass Crusade Gramophone Records Speed Gospel of the members when they were confronted
Proclamation A New Day in Southern Asia
with the problem of the bank where their
BIBLE INSTRUCTOR ______________ 29
church stood being washed away by the Amazon
India Calls Another Missionary's Letter Womeni
Builders River, thus putting the edifice in a precarious
SHEPHERDESS ___-._—_-—__-__-____ 32 condition. It seems that one of the churches
they built was finally washed away at the time
Worship in the Minister's Home-^-Suggested Equip
ment List for African Interior Missions of a flood. Early in 1954 the brethren built
FORUM ___________„..-„____,_______..______„________„ 37 this floating church. It is of frame construction
A More Worshipful Service of Humility Carefulness built on three huge logs, about four feet in
in the Ordinance of Humility Warning the Great
Ports diameter.
COUNSEL ______________________ 40 Brother Lima told me about his missionary
work at the time I visited there on June 22,
The Summons of the Spirit of Prophecy
1955. He had a group across the river from
PASTOR .......... .......................______„„__„__________„____ 42
the floating church, near which he lives and
A Financial Plan for Church Building
PULPIT _________________________ 45 (Continued on page 24}
Communion Service Sermonette
NEWS ...........................^ ....__............ __...-...- 47
BOOKS . ......... ......... .......... _._.:_...._.._ 49
POINTERS ...... ............................ .......... 52
Printed and published monthly for the Ministerial Association
of Seventh-day Adventists by the Review and Herald Publish
ing Association, Washington, D.C., U.S.A., $2.75 a year;
30 cents a copy. Add 35 cents for yearly subscriptions to
countries requiring extra postage. Entered as second-class-mat
ter December 19, 1927, at the post office at Washington,
D.C., under the Act of Congress of March 3, 1879.
A baptism alongside the floating SDA church.
JANUARY, 1956 Page 3
Proving Our Trust
H. L. RUDY
As Vice-President, General Conference
S A people, Seventh-day visions of the Scriptures. We should not follow im
Adventists have come pulse, nor rely on the judgment of men; we should
to a great and decisive look to the revealed will of God, and walk according
to His definite commandment, no matter what cir
moment in their history. The
cumstances may surround us. God will take care of
glory of the message that God
the results; by faithfulness to His word we may in
has given them is being recog
time of trial prove before men and angels that the
nized by the world in a man Lord can trust us in difficult places to carry out His
ner not experienced in the will, honor His name, and bless His people." Pa
past. Several factors have helped to bring triarchs and Prophets, pp. 621, 622.
about this situation.
It is recognized that every responsibility
Such activities as the public relations
presents a test as well as an opportunity.
work in our conferences, institutions, and
Every trust implies a risk. God took a pe
churches; the Voice of Prophecy efforts;
culiar risk when He made provision to
the Faith for Today telecasts; the publica
carry out His eternal purpose through hu
tion of the Seventh-day Adventist Bible
man instrumentalities. He took the risk,
Commentary; and the production of a class
nevertheless, because He was prepared to
of books and literature that attracts the
take care of the results, if men would work
attention of the higher social groups
in strict obedience to His Word. "By faith
these, and other specialized means of bring
fulness to His word we may in time of
ing the fundamental Christian teachings trial prove before men and angels that the
before the world, have placed us in a very
Lord can trust us in difficult places to carry
favorable position as a people.
out His will, honor His name, and bless
We believe that this is in the providence
His people."
of God. It has come about in order that
Having come to this momentous hour
the saving truths of God's last message of
in the proclamation of the third angel's
mercy to a distraught world can be given
message, we have also come to the moment
with great speed and power. This is the
of greatest test in our history. How en
long-looked-for moment when God's rem
couraging it is to know that God "can
nant people may more fully take their di
trust us in difficult places," and that He has
vinely appointed place as heralds of mercy
revealed the basis on which we can prove
at a time when the whole world is staring
that trust.
into the abyss of destruction.
From present experiences of God's peo
To us God says, "Arise, shine; for thy
ple, where they have witnessed faithfully
light is come, and the glory of the Lord is
in strict obedience to His Word, we discover
risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness
certain qualities that are most essential in
shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the proving of our trust.
the people: but the Lord shall arise upon
thee, and his glory shall be seen upon Spiritual Ruggedness
thee" (Isa. 60:1, 2).
One of the first qualities revealed in
In view of this great moment of oppor
proving our trust is spiritual ruggedness.
tunity, we need to ask ourselves: Are we
This has always been true in the history
measuring up to the challenge of the hour?
of God's people. Ready examples of that
Are we true to the trust God has committed
are seen in the experiences of such men as-
to us?
Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Samuel, Daniel,
In this connection it is encouraging to
and Isaiah. They were mighty men of
note such words as the following:
faith. They followed in the ways of the
"We do not know what great interests may be at
Lord regardless of circumstances surround
stake in the proving of God. There is no safety ex
ing them.
cept in strict obedience to the word of God. All His
Christ presents the most outstanding ex
promises are made upon condition of faith and
obedience, and a failure to comply with His com ample of faith and obedience in doing the
mands cuts off the fulfillment to us of the rich pro- Father's will. The apostles gave witness of
Page 4 THE MINISTRY
the same spiritual ruggedness. They would When the church in Moscow received
rather die than to disobey God. With their this message, they held a memorial service.
Master, each one of them could say: The place of worship was decorated with
"I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks beautiful flowers as they remembered their
to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face beloved minister and church elder. The
from shame and spitting. For the Lord God will Scripture lesson studied on this occasion is
help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: there recorded in Hebrews 13:3-7 (R.S.V.):
fore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that
"Remember those who are in prison, as though
I shall not be ashamed" (Isa. 50:6, 7).
in prison with them; and those who are ill-treated,
This same spiritual ruggedness, this de since you also are in the body. . . . Remember your
termination to shun smugness and com leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God;
placency, has characterized God's faithful consider the outcome o£ their life, and imitate their
witnesses throughout the history of the faith."
Christian church. It is present in the rem Our missionaries, on lonely mission sta
nant church. One cannot fail to find it tions, far from home and loved ones, often
where God's commandment-keeping peo refresh visitors with their rugged faith and
ple are tested and tried by the peculiar spiritual stalwartness. On one occasion I
circumstances surrounding them that call was visiting one of our veteran mission
for strict adherence to the Word of God. aries in the Middle East. It was at the
Brother K. in Russia was a good exam outbreak of World War II. We were in
ple among our workers in that country. In Jerusalem. After the evening meal I began
1934, at the end of the first five-year plan to encourage this brother and his faithful
destined to destroy faith in God, this wife to take their furlough in the home
brother with many others was arrested, land as soon as possible. They had forgone
cruelly tried, and then sent into Siberian one furlough already and the second one
banishment. The train on which he was was past due. After I had pressed the point
traveling to Siberia was wrecked. There somewhat, this dear missionary said:
were many casualties, and Brother K. re "Please don't insist on our taking a furlough. We
ceived fatal injuries. He died in the hospi have taken several furloughs when our children
tal almost immediately upon arrival at were small. We would naturally love to see our
their destination in Siberia. No official no children again after having been separated from
tice of his death was given to his family in them so many years. It would be such a joy to see
the homeland again, too. But we prefer not to go
Moscow, but later they received a letter
home until we return permanently. Furloughs only
from one of his fellow prisoners. The letter
cause us to miss home all the more, and the read
read in part:
justment to mission life is so painful after we have
"During the entire wearisome journey o£ two had a taste of the comforts and ease of home. Please
weeks through the Siberian Steppes, he [Brother let us carry right on with our work without a fur
K.] lost no opportunity either by day or by night, lough now."
to talk to me and others about the love of God and
The spirit with which these sentiments
conversion. He told us the story of salvation from
were expressed and the prevailing atmos
Satan's fall to the second coming of Christ and the
deliverance of the righteous on the new earth. We phere of the conversation left no doubt
found moments of silence when we prayed together. about the earnestness of the missionary
After I had told him my life's history, I experienced and his wife. The point was not pressed
the power of the Holy Spirit in my life. I thanked any further. Whether the missionary was
God for His wonderful revelation to me on this right or not might be debatable, but there
journey into exile, and promised to serve Him from
was no doubt about his ruggedness of
that moment onward, and to keep His command
spirit. Although his decision was contrary
ments. As the terrible accident happened, when two
to my personal wishes, I have never ceased
trains collided, Brother K. suffered very painful
bodily injuries, which resulted in his death. During marveling at such a whole-hearted devo
all the time of pain and anguish we never heard tion to God and the interests of His work
one word of complaint from him. After he had ex upon earth.
pressed his last desire, namely, that we should This same spiritual ruggedness is found
notify and send Christian greetings to his family among the youth of the Advent Movement.
and the church in Moscow, he prayed his last
The case of one of our young educators
prayer. He thanked God for the privilege of suffer
comes to mind. While he was taking post
ing with Christ and for the hope that his suffering
graduate work, preparing himself for his
would soon be over and he could go to rest until
Jesus comes to take him home. His face shone. He chosen profession, his parents and relatives
truly died the death of a righteous man." were trying to interest him in the study
JANUARY, 1956 Page 5
among the Gentiles. He was told how much
he must suffer for Christ. There was never
THE NEW YEAR a time in his long ministry when he was
not enduring some suffering for the sake of
HORATIO NELSON POWERS
his Master. Now, as he neared the end of
A flower unblown; a book unread; his life, he appealed to Timothy, "Be not
A tree with fruit unharvested; thou therefore ashamed of the testimony
A path untrod; a house whose rooms of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but
Lack yet the heart's divine perfumes; be thou partaker of the afflictions of the
A landscape whose border lies gospel."
In silent shade 'neath silent skies; To share in the afflictions or burdens of
A wondrous fountain yet unsealed; the gospel means to have a true sense of
A casket with its gifts concealed mission in connection with the urgency
This is the year that for you waits and needs of the cause of Christ. The gos
Beyond tomorrow's mystic gates. pel commission embraces the promulgation
of the gospel to all the world, regardless of
the surrounding circumstances and irre
spective of the sacrifices entailed. There
of medicine. In telling about his last con can be no standstill or resting on one's lees.
versation with the son on this subject, the Every soldier of the cross must be ready
father said: "I haven't said any more to my and willing to bear his share of the burden
son about this matter since he told me what at any time or place where the Lord may
he did the last time we were discussing indicate. This includes the will, more often
the question." Then, after a brief pause, than not, to carry on God's work with
the father added, "The last time we were the most meager facilities and without the
talking about this matter my boy said to aid of a church or employed helpers. The
me, 'Dad, I don't want to study medicine, true sense of mission does not expect every
because I would do it only for the money.' " thing ready and prepared in'advance, only
Here was a young man who had motives to be entered upon and enjoyed.
for service that were not measured in terms The attitude of the apostle Paul to his
of material comfort or well being. He had work is worthy of emulation. He never put
given his life to a cause that requires sacri himself or his personal interests first,
fice and would not be deterred from his neither did he think of prestige, rank, or
decision. Together with hundreds of other position. He was never eager to dazzle in
young men and women throughout the the limelight at the cost of other men's
ranks of the Advent youth today, this work.
young man manifests the type of spiritual The sinister temptation that often as
ruggedness that will prove the trust that sails the gospel worker today when he is
God has placed with Seventh-day Advent- called to another field of labor is well de
ists in these last days. scribed in "A Letter That Was Never Writ
ten," published in the Canadian Church
True Sense of Mission
man some years ago. Suppose, the author
Another essential quality required of asks, St. Paul had written thus:
God in the proving of our trust is a true
"Dear Sir and Brother:
sense of mission, a conscious and well-
"Doubtless you will recall the invitation you ex
measured participation in the burdens of
tended to me to come over to Macedonia and help
the work of God. The burdens of advancing the people of that section. You will pardon me for
the work of God are not to rest upon the saying that I am somewhat surprised that you
shoulders of one man, nor of a certain should expect a man of my standing in the church
select group of individuals. These burdens seriously to consider a call on such meager informa
are to be shared by every follower of tion. There are a number of things I would like to
learn before giving you my decision and I would
Christ.
appreciate you dropping me a line, addressing me
Doubtless this is what the apostle Paul
at Troas.
had in mind when he wrote to Timothy:
"First of all I would like to know if Macedonia is
"Be thou partaker of the afflictions of the a city or country work. This is important, as I have
gospel according to the power of God" been told that once a man begins in country work
(2 Tim. 1:8). Paul remembered what was it is well nigh impossible to obtain a city parish.
involved in his calling to the apostleship If Macedonia embraces more than one preaching
Page 6 THE MINISTRY
place, I may as well tell you frankly that I cannot Occasionally men who have been em
think of accepting the call. I have been through a ployed in our work become critical and
long and expensive training: in fact, I may say with rebellious. They sometimes seek to divide
pardonable pride that I am a Sanhedrin man the
our churches, and even to seek followers
only one in the ministry today. (My training and
from among our people, and work in
abilities peculiarly fit me to be at my best in ad
strong opposition to the cause of God.
dressing a large assembly.)
"The day is past when you may expect a man When such rebellious apostasies arise, the
to rush into a new field sans (without) some idea leaders in the churches and conferences
of the support he is to receive. I have worked myself must act promptly and decisively. By quick
up to a good position in the Galatian field, and to discernment and prompt action the plans
take a drop would be a serious matter. of the enemy can be destroyed at the very
"Kindly get the good Macedonian brethren to
outset. Promptness and decisiveness, com
gether and see just what you can do in the way of
bined with fervent love for lost and be
support. You see, you have told me nothing beyond
wildered souls, will count gloriously for
the implication that the place needs help. What
is the social position of the leader of the Macedo God.
nian group? Is the church efficiently organized? By such action rebellious elements have
"I recently had a fine offer to return to Antioch been subdued and even leaders of such
at an increase of salary, and am told that I made a movements have found their way back into
very favorable impression on the church at Jeru the fellowship of the church. Whole
salem. If it will help the board at Macedonia, you
churches have been delivered from a state
might mention these facts, and also that some of
of criticism and confusion. Hundreds of
the brethren in Judea have been heard to say that
persons have been saved from apostasy and
if I keep on, in a few years I may have anything in
the gift of the church. I will say that I am a first- are today enjoying a precious Christian ex
class mixer, and especially strong on argumentative perience with God's people.
preaching. In order, therefore, to prove before men
"Solicitously yours, and angels that God can trust us to carry
"Paul."
out His will, we must cultivate these great
Promptness and Decision essential qualities of worthiness. Without
them it will be impossible to follow a course
A third quality requiring continuous cul
of strict adherence to the will of God.
tivation is promptness and decision in the
With them, well developed and properly
conduct of God's work. Fear, hesitation,
exercised, the cause of God will always be
and indecision have resulted in the loss of
in safe hands. Every crisis will be met and
many battles. As men have taken counsel
overcome to the glory of God. Hindrances,
with their fears, instead of promptly mov
opposition, and indecision will be turned
ing forward into providential openings,
into valor and victories. The cause of God
Satan has been able to rally his forces and
will stand forth with the glory of heaven
close opportunities.
amid the darkness and frustration of the
On this particular point the Lord has
world.
given His people very definite counsel. In
the book Gospel Workers, by Ellen G.
White, we read:
"The cause of God demands men who can see
quickly and act instantaneously at the right time
Watch for a very special an
and with power. If you wait to measure every
difficulty and balance every perplexity you meet,
you will do but little. You will have obstacles and nouncement regarding the
difficulties to encounter at every turn, and you must
with firm purpose decide to conquer them, or they
1956
will conquer you. . . .
"I have been shown that the most signal victories
and the most fearful defeats have been on the turn MINISTERIAL BOOK CLUB
of minutes. God requires promptness of action. De
lays, doublings, hesitation, and indecision frequently
in next month's issue of THE
give the enemy every advantage. . . .
"There will be crises in this cause. Prompt and
decisive action at the right time will gain glorious MINISTRY.
triumphs, while delay and neglect will result in
great failures and positive dishonor to God." Pages
133, 134.
JANUARY, 1956 Page 7
Developing Younger Workers
C. M. BASCONCILLO
Pastor-Evangelist, Central Luzon Mission, Philippines
rHAT a heart-warming critical of the shortcomings of our younger
experience came to associates. Instead, ours should be the de
the disciples as day by sire to mold and build young workers for
day they pressed close to God's glory, so they will be able to find
their chosen Lord and their places in the organization of the Lord.
Teacher. What a privilege I believe in overlooking their mistakes, be
and honor to listen to His in cause I make them too. I try to look for the
struction, to work with Him, good and the gold in them, because I be
and to profit by the tactful, kindly correc lieve God is doing just that with me.
tives given by the Master Evangelist. A selfish attitude sometimes suggests it
I can think of no sweeter, more sacred self to us who are older workers. It is easy
association than the relationship between to feel that by properly building these
our Lord Jesus Christ and His disciples younger men, we might sooner or later be
during the three and a half years of His deprived of the position we are aiming for,
earthly ministry. As Shepherd and under- or even the one we now have. There is a
shepherds they studied together, worked grave danger in this line of thinking. It
together, prayed together. That was nearly can easily neutralize all the power of senior
two thousand years ago. But we who are workers. We are in the Lord's work because
called to be colaborers with Him can today we are called. Since it is His work and He
enjoy the same sweet fellowship as we as has full control of it, He has the preroga
sociate together and build for eternity, giv tive to set up and to take away whom He
ing the decided last-day warning, "Prepare may choose for the good of His church.
to meet thy God." The challenge to us as ordained minis
The emphasis I would like to bring is ters is our opportunity to increase the
this: Can we improve upon the relation value of those we associate with by giving
ship between the cobuilders? freely of that which we have received from
God. A great rejoicing, and a still greater
Carefulness Needed
challenge, comes to us when those we have
There is a tendency on the part of some helped are placed in positions of greater
of us already ordained to feel that the responsibility than those we occupy. It is a
college graduate has a preparation far great spiritual challenge to be able to de
more valuable than that which might be crease while they increase.
gained in the field. We place such an ex
Greater Love and Understanding
tremely high evaluation on his ability to
work for God that we may be disappointed Those of us who have passed through
as we process the young intern through the narrow straits ourselves should become
mill of experience. We expect too much at more earnest in asking God for a deeper
the start. consecration and a greater love, that we
While we must not minimize the young might be able to help the younger workers
worker's collegiate preparation, let us rec carry the torch of truth to heights we have
ognize the fact that God places him in our not reached.
care to be given a "cup of cold water" We cannot help train sturdy and strong
from our well of experience. It is very true workers if we are too critical. Some have
that our college teachers are men of ex even gone to the extreme of recommending
perience. But the tightly filled college pro that an intern be dropped from the Lord's
gram often so crowds the life of both teach work without giving sufficient time and
ers and students that the sharing of in help for development.
valuable counsel that comes from experi We sometimes expect others to develop
ence is hindered. It is here that we in the too fast, when the Lord has been so very
field must cooperate with our associates by patient with us. We think the good and the
supplying what we see is vitally needed. gold in others must be the same variety
With this in mind, we should not be too that we think others see in us. Yet the
Page 8 THE MINISTRY
Master Builder may be developing a dif plex, which will manifest itself in various
ferent kind of gold in them because of His forms, such as jealousy, criticism, fault
different purpose for them. Our greatest finding. These are hard to overcome, hard
contribution toward the building of the to contend with, once they come into the
work of God is our ability to see in our heart. They blur our heavenly vision, and
associates what God sees in them. as we nurse them our power for God soon
May God help us to realize that associa diminishes. We never lose by giving credit
tion with younger workers is the most deli where credit is due never!
cate and sacred of all ministerial privileges. It is a joy to see younger men take up
I like to feel as I associate with these the ministry. They need our prayers and
younger workers that I have a responsi our guidance. Let us welcome their ideas,
bility that tells for eternity in molding try out those that are worth while, and
and fashioning these instruments that God give full credit to those who originate
has chosen. I like to always look for the them. The proper handling of good ideas
great amount of good in my associates, from our colaborers is only encouraging
letting all forms of narrowness and selfish them to develop the individual originality
ness in my ministry be crowded out. that God has given them. Should we not
As I associate with young co-ministers I welcome these thoughts and plans and
realize my ever-growing sacred responsi ideas that come from our younger workers,
bility. I know that I shall stand before and try to improve our own ministry from
God someday and render an account of them?
how I have dealt with God's chosen in It is God's desire for us to live conse
struments. The question before me in the crated lives and to help produce and de
judgment day might be, "Have you helped velop consecrated associates. As the seed is
your colaborer to conquer his temper, his sown, so is the harvest. If we have a "holier
desire for credit and popularity at the ex than thou" attitude, it is likely that the
pense of others?" worker we have helped to build will be
How am I living before my co-workers? after our kind. If we are sensitive for self
Am I respected only because of my con and not for God, so will the associate be
ference credentials and position? As I labor developed. If our presentation of our mes
with them to bring God's last message of sages is argumentative and in the spirit of
mercy, do they recognize in me a deep debate, subconsciously will the mind of
consecration and abiding love for the our associates be so tempered. When we
things of God? have learned to deal well with our co-
Let us kindly point out the dangers that workers, our witnessing for God, as we keep
await our fellow workers in the pathway our eyes upon Christ Jesus and the earth
of service. If they make mistakes in pre made new, will be a live-wire, magnetic,
senting the message, they need our sympa Spirit-filled ministry.
thetic understanding. It is almost always Behold just ahead the heavy downpour
harder to build than to destroy. As we proc of God's Holy Spirit upon a harmonious,
ess our young co-workers through the mill cooperative, consecrated ministry! We
of experience, let us stand behind them must have the latter-day Pentecost, breth
with assurance and encouragement and say, ren, if we are to finish the tremendous work
"Brother, go ahead, and may God be with yet to be done. May we fasten our eyes
you. Your mistakes will be mine too." upon the New Jerusalem and be ready for
that grandest and loftiest privilege, the as
New Ideas
cension of the saints to the beloved city
Sometimes we feel that it is an insult to now awaiting the redeemed.
our many years of experience when new Paul's invitation to the Romans in chap
ideas come forth from young interns. ter twelve, verse one, reads: "I beseech
There are some who discourage these new you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of
ideas because they themselves are not the God, that ye present your bodies a living
authors of them. And there are some who sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which
are quick to grasp a new idea and promote is your reasonable service."
it as their own. Such an attitude does more May God move us to reach out for a
harm to the senior worker than to the sweeter, a nobler, and a more fully conse
younger man. It might even develop in crated ministry, so that God can accom
the ordained minister an inferiority com- plish His divine purpose for all of us.
JANUARY, 1956 Page 9
From a Missionary's Letter
[Occasionally a letter is received from one of our Northern European Division. I had first
missionaries that is somewhat out of the ordinary met him in South Africa, and had also seen
in stating the writer's personal convictions and giv him in England and Norway. When he met
ing an insight into his thinking on the life of a my mother, he asked her: "Don't you dread
missionary. Such a letter was recently received by
seeing your daughter return to Africa?"
W. P. Bradley, of the General Conference Secretarial
She said, "No, I want the work to be
Department, and is reproduced in part below. The
finished." My mother always wished that
subject under discussion was the salary and al
lowances paid to the missionary. We believe all she could go to the mission field, but it
our worker group will appreciate sharing it.] did not work out that way. One time she
wrote me saying that I was doing the work
THE THING is this: We here want
that she had wanted to do. I feel that I
the work to go forward. That is why
am being my mother's proxy.
we have left our homes. While I was
We have made a few contacts with mis
home on furlough I had the privilege of
sionaries of other societies. We pride our
attending some of the closing meetings of
selves on having the everlasting gospel to
the Bible Conference, which preceded the
give to every nation, tribe, and people;
Autumn Council of 1952. My mother was
and we are right. But we have learned that
with me. I took advantage of the oppor
most of these other missionaries are work
tunity of having my mother meet several
ing under conditions of much greater hard
o£ our South African workers, because I
ship and difficulty than we are, and it makes
wanted her to know some of the people I
us ashamed. They may believe in doctrines
know here. Among these was A. F. Tarr,
that are in some respects defective and
who, as you know, is president of the
may even be teaching some errors to their
people, but they are showing evidence of
greater faith and devotion than many of
LET ME GO BACK! us. They are making greater sacrifices
than we.
BY A RETURNED MISSIONARY I am very thankful for our well-devel
oped organization. I know that God has
Let me go back! I am homesick led out in the pattern of organization and
For the land of my love and toil, in the financial setup of our work. I feel
Though I thrill at the sight of my native hills,
that we are the best-cared-for missionaries
The touch of my native soil.
in the world with the support and help we
Thank God for the dear home country,
get and the future provided for with our
Unconquered and free and grand!
But the far-off shores of the isles for me sustentation policy. When I was home on
Are the shores of the promised land. furlough it was a wonderful feeling, when
I walked into the General Conference
My brain is dazed and wearied offices, to feel that I belonged there, that I
With the homeland's stress and strife, was one of those directly connected with
With the race for money and place and the work being carried on from there. It
power,
is a wonderful feeling, but it also makes
And the whirl of the nation's life.
one humble to realize that he is a part of
Let me go back! Such pleasures
And pains are not for me; such an organization. I never cease to mar
But O for a share in the harvest home vel that I have actually realized the dream
Of the field beyond the sea! of my life to be a missionary.
For there are my chosen people, / Want to Feel I Am Making a Sacrifice
And there is my place to fill,
So far as money is concerned, I am
To spend the last of my life and strength
thankful to have enough for my needs. I
In doing my Master's will.
Let me go back! 'Tis nothing know that I could earn much more if I
To suffer and do and dare, were at home. But while at home, I never
For the Lord has faithfully kept His word; once envied those who were connected
He is with me always there! with our work there, especially the nurses
Page 10 THE MINISTRY