Wide-Awake, consecrated workers will not overlook the importance of giving themselves in unselfish service in behalf of our youth. Every pastor and district leader, and, so far as possible, every executive and departmental worker, should recognize the importance of associating closely with the young people and juniors, and of gaining and holding their confidence. There is no more important line of endeavor open to laborers in this cause than that great field of opportunity found in consecrated service in behalf of our youth. Surely each of us, as workers, should be recognized by our youth as true friends. The young people connected with this movement constitute our greatest denominational asset. As all of us know, it is from among the youth of today that we must draw the workers of tomorrow.
Most of our young people are convinced intellectually as to the doctrinal positions held by us as a people; but it is one thing to be intellectually convinced, and quite another to have a positive heart belief and interest in the message and its development. If the local minister will take a deep interest in the young people of his flock, he will soon be taken into their confidence as a friend and counselor. Why should not every minister, as he comes in contact with young men and young women, take just such an interest in them, talking to them and praying with them about their future prospects, about training for service, and about the necessity of yielding the life to the Master in complete, unreserved consecration?
Some may feel that as we have Missionary Volunteer secretaries in our General, union, and local conferences, therefore the average -worker does not need to undertake a careful study of the problems of youth, and that it is unnecessary for him to learn how to help our youth solve their problems; but the fact is that every man and every woman called of God to be a laborer in His vineyard has a divine commission to care for the lambs of the flock. Wise is he who begins his work in behalf of the future man or woman while that future man or woman is still a boy or a girl.
A farseeing pastor will make sure, that the boys and girls, the juniors and the youth, are made welcome in all the services of the church; and he will also see that there is a place for them to occupy and a part for all to act in the program of the church. The wise preacher will not only have in every service a "corner" that is of special interest to youth, but will also cultivate the good will and secure the cooperation of the young men and women in his congregation by taking a lively interest in their problems, and by helping them to find a solution to their individual perplexities.
As workers in God's cause, we are all called by Him to be young people's helpers. Every laborer desiring to build up a strong, deeply spiritual, and flourishing congregation will recognize that he builds best who has the ability to interest, help, hold, and train both the parents and the youth of his flock. When Jesus comes the second time, He will not only ask parents, "Where is the flock that was given thee, thy beautiful flock?" but He will also ask the same question of us as pastors and other conference workers. God help us to have such an understanding sympathy for and interest in our youth as will result in holding them with us, and in using them in Christian service as we travel shoulder to shoulder along the road to our eternal home.
Chattanooga, Tenn.