Chapter 67—Sowing Beside all Waters
The Lord is calling upon His people to take up different lines of
missionary work, to sow beside all waters. We do but a small part of
the work that He desires us to do among our neighbors and friends.
By kindness to the poor, the sick, or the bereaved we may obtain
an influence over them, so that divine truth will find access to their
hearts. No such opportunity for service should be allowed to pass
unimproved. It is the highest missionary work that we can do. The
presentation of the truth in love and sympathy from house to house
is in harmony with the instruction of Christ to His disciples when
He sent them out on their first missionary tour.
The Gift of Song
Those who have the gift of song are needed. Song is one of the
most effective means of impressing spiritual truth upon the heart.
Often by the words of sacred song the springs of penitence and faith
have been unsealed. Church members, young and old, should be
educated to go forth to proclaim this last message to the world. If
they go in humility, angels of God will go with them, teaching them
how to lift up the voice in prayer, how to raise the voice in song, and
how to proclaim the gospel message for this time.
Young men and women, take up the work to which God calls
you. Christ will teach you to use your abilities to good purpose. As
[218] you receive the quickening influence of the Holy Spirit, and seek to
teach others, your minds will be refreshed, and you will be able to
present words that are new and strangely beautiful to your hearers....
Medical Missionary Work
The medical missionary work presents many opportunities for
service. Intemperance in eating and ignorance of nature’s laws are
causing much of the sickness that exists, and are robbing God of the
glory due Him. Because of a failure to deny self, many of God’s
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people are unable to reach the high standard of spirituality He sets
before them. Teach the people that it is better to know how to keep
well than to know how to cure disease. We should be wise educators,
warning all against self-indulgence. As we see the wretchedness,
deformity, and disease that have come into the world as a result of
ignorance, how can we refrain from doing our part to enlighten the
ignorant and relieve the suffering?
Because the avenues to the soul have been closed by the tyrant
Prejudice, many are ignorant of the principles of healthful living.
Good service can be done by teaching the people how to prepare
healthful food. This line of work is as essential as any that can
be taken up. More cooking schools should be established, and
some should labor from house to house, giving instruction in the
art of cooking wholesome foods. Many, many will be rescued from
physical, mental, and moral degeneracy through the influence of
health reform.—The Review and Herald, June 6, 1912. [219]
Chapter 68—Many Lines of Work
The church is organized for service, and in a life of service to
Christ connection with the church is one of the first steps. Loyalty
to Christ demands the faithful performance of church duties. This
is an important part of one’s training; and in a church imbued with
the Master’s life it will lead directly to effort for the world without.
There are many lines in which the youth can find opportunity for
helpful effort.—Education, 268, 269.
Each Has His Place
Each has his place in the eternal plan of heaven. Each is to work
in co-operation with Christ for the salvation of souls. Not more
surely is the place prepared for us in the heavenly mansions than
is the special place designated on earth where we are to work for
God.—Christ’s Object Lessons, 326, 327.
The Sabbath School Work
The Lord calls for young men and women to gird themselves
for lifelong, earnest labor in the Sabbath-school work.... The Lord
would have teachers in the Sabbath-school work who can give wholehearted
service, who will increase their talent by exercise, and make
improvement on what has already been attained.—Testimonies on
[220] Sabbath School Work, 53.
Bible Work
The idea of holding Bible readings is a heaven-born idea, and
opens the way to put hundreds of young men and women into the
field to do an important work, which otherwise could not have been
done.
The Bible is unchained. It can be carried to every man’s door,
and its truths may be presented to every man’s conscience. There
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are many who, like the noble Bereans, will search the Scriptures
daily for themselves, when the truth is presented, to see whether or
not these things are so. Christ has said, “Search the Scriptures; for
in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify
of Me.” Jesus, the world’s Redeemer, bids men not only to read, but
to “search the Scriptures.” This is a great and important work, and it
is committed to us, and in doing this we shall be greatly benefited;
for obedience to Christ’s command will not go unrewarded. He
will crown with especial tokens of His favor this act of loyalty in
following the light revealed in His Word.—Testimonies on SabbathSchool
Work, 29, 30.
Canvassing
The Lord calls upon our youth to labor as canvassers and evangelists,
to do house-to-house work in places that have not yet heard the
truth. He speaks to our young men, saying, “Ye are not your own; for
ye are bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body, and
in your spirit, which are God’s.” Those who will go forth to the work [221]
under God’s direction will be wonderfully blessed.—Testimonies
for the Church 8:229.
One of the very best ways in which young men can obtain a
fitness for the ministry is by entering the canvassing field. Let them
go into towns and cities to canvass for the books which contain the
truth for this time. In this work they will find opportunity to speak
the words of life, and the seeds of truth they sow will spring up
to bear fruit. By meeting the people and presenting to them our
publications, they will gain an experience that they could not gain
by preaching....
All who desire an opportunity for true ministry, and who will
give themselves unreservedly to God, will find in the canvassing
work opportunity to speak upon many things pertaining to the future
immortal life.—Gospel Workers, 96.
Teaching
The very best talent that can be secured is needed to educate
and mould the minds of the young, and to carry on successfully the
202 Messages to Young People
many lines of work that will need to be done by the teacher in our
church schools....
Teachers are needed, especially for the children, who are calm
and kind, manifesting forbearance and love for the very ones who
most need it.... Our church schools need teachers who have high
moral qualities; those who can be trusted; those who are sound in
[222] the faith, and who have tact and patience; those who walk with God,
and abstain from the very appearance of evil.—Testimonies for the
Church 6:200, 201.
Business
The Lord desires to have in His service intelligent men, men
qualified for various lines of work. There is need of business men
who will weave the grand principles of truth into all their transactions.
And their talents should be perfected by most thorough
study and training. If men in any line of work need to improve their
opportunities to become wise and efficient, it is those who are using
their ability in building up the kingdom of God in our world. Of
Daniel we learn that in all his business transactions, when subjected
to the closest scrutiny, not one fault or error could be found. He was
a sample of what every business man may be. His history shows
what may be accomplished by one who consecrates the strength
of brain and bone and muscle, of heart and life, to the service of
God.—Christ’s Object Lessons, 350, 351.
Medical Work
There is no missionary field more important than that occupied
by the faithful, God-fearing physician. There is no field where a
man may accomplish greater good, or win more jewels to shine in
the crown of his rejoicing. He may carry the grace of Christ, as a
sweet perfume, into all the sick-rooms he enters; he may carry the
[223] true healing balm to the sin-sick soul. He can point the sick and
dying to the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world. He
should not listen to the suggestion that it is dangerous to speak of
their eternal interests to those who lives are in peril, lest it should
make them worse; for in nine cases out of ten the knowledge of a
