The cause of God demands the highest powers of the being,
and there is urgent need in many fields for young men of literary
qualifications. There is need of men who can be trusted to labor in
extensive fields that are now white to the harvest. Young men of
ordinary ability, who give themselves wholly to God, who are uncorrupted
by vice and impurity, will be successful, and will be enabled
to do a great work for God. Let young men heed the admonition,
and be sober-minded.
How many youth have wasted their God-given strength in folly
and dissipation! How many painful histories rise before me of youth
who have become mere wrecks of humanity, mentally, morally,
physically, because of indulgence in vicious habits! Their constitutions
are ruined, their life usefulness greatly impaired, because of
indulgence in unlawful pleasures.
I entreat of you, careless, reckless youth of today, be converted,
and become laborers together with God. Let it be the study of your [23]
life to bless and save others. If you seek help from God, His power
working in you will bring to naught all opposing powers, and you
will become sanctified through the truth. Sin is alarmingly prevalent
among the youth of today, but let it be your purpose to do what you
can to rescue souls from the power of Satan.
Be Light Bearers
Carry light wherever you go; show that you have strength of
purpose, that you are not a person of indecision, easily swayed by
the persuasions of evil associates. Do not yield a ready assent to the
suggestions of those who dishonor God, but rather seek to reform,
reclaim, and rescue souls from evil.
Resort to prayer, persuade in meekness and lowliness of spirit
those who oppose themselves. One soul saved from error, and
brought under the banner of Christ, will cause joy in heaven, and
place a star in your crown of rejoicing. A soul saved will, through
his godly influence, bring other souls to a knowledge of salvation,
and thus the work will multiply, and only the revealings of the day
of judgment will make manifest the extent of the work.
Do not hesitate to work for the Lord because you think you can
do but little. Do your little with fidelity; for God will work with your
26 Messages to Young People
efforts. He will write your name in the book of life as one worthy to
enter into the joy of the Lord. Let us earnestly entreat the Lord that
laborers may be raised up, for the fields are white to the harvest; the
[24] harvest is great, and the laborers are few....
Cherished Broad Ideas
Young men should have broad ideas, wise plans, that they may
make the most of their opportunities, catch the inspiration and
courage that animated the apostles. John says, “I have written unto
you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth
in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.” An elevated standard
is presented before the youth, and God is inviting them to come into
real service for Him. True-hearted young men who delight to be
learners in the school of Christ, can do a great work for the Master, if
they will only give heed to the command of the Captain as it sounds
down along the lines to our time, “Quit you like men, be strong.”
You are to be men who will walk humbly with God, who will
stand before Him in your God-given manhood, free from impurity,
free from all contamination from the sensuality that is corrupting this
age. You must be men who will despise all falsity and wickedness,
who will dare to be true and brave, holding aloft the blood-stained
banner of Prince Emmanuel. Your talents will increase as you use
them for the Master, and they will be esteemed precious by Him
who has bought them with an infinite price. Do not sit down and
neglect to do anything, simply because you cannot do some great
thing, but do whatever your hands find to do, with thoroughness and
energy.... .
The Call to Enlist
Christ is calling for volunteers to enlist under His standard, and
[25] bear the banner of the cross before the world. The church is languishing
for the help of young men who will bear a courageous testimony,
who will with their ardent zeal stir up the sluggish energies of God’s
people, and so increase the power of the church in the world. Young
men are wanted who will resist the tide of worldliness, and lift a
Call to the Youth 27
voice of warning against taking the first steps in immorality and
vice.
But first the young men who would serve God, and give themselves
to His work, must cleanse the soul temple of all impurity,
and enthrone Christ in the heart; then they will be enabled to put
energy into their Christian effort, and will manifest enthusiastic zeal
in persuading men to be reconciled to Christ. Will not our young
men respond to the invitation of Christ, and answer, “Here am I;
send me”? Young men, press to the front, and identify yourselves as
laborers together with Christ, taking up the work where He left it,
to carry it on to its completion.—The Review and Herald, June 16,
1891.
Essential Elements of Character
