The world has come upon unfortunate days financially. In all lands the worried, perplexed peoples are turning from one plan to another to relieve their distress. The very atmosphere seems vibrant with the strain and stress of man's desperate struggle to gain economic advantages.
The financial situation of the world is reflected to some degree in the diminished income of the church. In the last few years not many new workers have been added to conference pay rolls. Thoughtful young people, seeing these conditions, have asked, "Will there be a place for me? Should I plan on completing the ministerial course and running the chance of getting a place, when workers have been dropped because of budget limitations?"
It is true that the income of the church is affected by the uncertain economic conditions of the world. It is not so easy now to find a place of paid employment in the work of the church as it was in the days when money was more plentiful. But youth should not turn too easily to some secondary interest or calling in life. The church has withstood the days of depression as well as or better than many great business concerns. For many years back the church has maintained an average of about one paid worker for every fifteen members. If conditions of living become stable at any level (it may not be an electric refrigerator, a radio, or an automobile-owning level), the salaries of workers and other costs of the organized work will doubtless be so adjusted as to maintain an average worker strength equal to or above that in the past.
And if it is difficult because of financial conditions to secure employment in the church work, it is equally difficult to find secular employment under present world conditions. If you doubt it, ask the host of unemployed in any line of service.
In addition we must be candid and say frankly that it requires a little more preparation, a little more ability, and a greater earnestness and faithfulness to duty, to get started in life's career nowadays than was required of youth in days of financial plenty.
But over and above all such considerations as these is the cry of the sin-sick world for salvation, for God. As long as the world stands, its need of the message of God will be paramount. In the early days of the advent message men did not inquire about a place of employment in the work. When the pioneers began to proclaim the advent faith, we had no tithing system, no conferences,—in fact we had nothing to give men assurance of support. The early pioneers earned their own livelihood and much of their expense for travel and printing by hard labor.
Their hearts had been moved by the Spirit of God with a burden for the lost of the world. Their souls were aflame with the message, and they could scarcely have been restrained from proclaiming it. Whether paid or unpaid, they preached as the Lord directed them.
It may be that one of the lessons to be learned by the church as a result of the depression will be that of carrying on the work with less dependence upon money. It may be that some trained in ministerial courses may have to earn their own living as they proclaim the word of God. Some are already doing excellent work as lay preachers.
But whatever may come, be very reluctant to turn aside from the call of God in your heart to the gospel ministry. It is the highest call that ever comes to man for service. A sense of loss and defeat will come to him who turns aside from it. Until the very end of this world the Lord will have need of ministers of His word. These are principles we may well place before our troubled youth when they come to us for counsel.
Washington, D. C.
