IV. In Public Ministry
As we study the life of Jesus, we see that much of His time was spent in personal ministry for others. His work was not confined to an institution, but most of His time was used in teaching the multitudes and instructing His disciples in the great out-of-doors. The Scriptures sum up the work of the Saviour in the expressions, "The Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost," and He "went about doing good."
In spite of the change that has come about in the development of our complex civilization since the days of Jesus, the principles that the Master used in labor remain the same. In our work for others in mission lands, as well as in our efforts at the home bases, we cannot confine our work to institutions or to the church structure alone, but will find one of our most fruitful avenues of service in personal labor for those not of our faith.
"There- is missionary work to be done in many unpromising places. The missionary spirit needs to take hold of our souls, inspiring us to reach classes for whom we had not planned to labor, and in ways and places that we had no idea of working. The Lord has His plan for the sowing of the gospel seed. In sowing according to His will, we shall so multiply the seed that His word may reach thousands who have never heard the truth."—"Testimonies," Vol. IX, p. 130.
There are wonderful opportunities in ministering for others in a mission field. I can testify personally that as the missionary wife goes forward, leading others in ministry for the unsaved, she herself receives a rich blessing.
It is interesting to note that when the intrepid Paul, in response to the call, "Come over into Macedonia, and help us," left Asia to plant the gospel in Europe, his first work centered in a home. While at the city of Philippi, the apostle went out by the riverside one Sabbath, and there met "Lydia, a seller of purple," a woman "whose heart the Lord opened." This godly woman, according to the Scripture record, extended to the apostle the invitation, "Come into my house, and abide there." And today one of our most fruitful fields of labor in mission fields is in the homes of the people.
"In the home circle, at your neighbor's fireside, at the bedside of the sick, in a quiet way you may read the Scriptures, and speak a word for Jesus and the truth. Precious seed may thus be sown that will spring up and bring forth fruit after many days."--Id., Vol. IX, pp. 129, 130.
Our religion needs to be brought into the home circle. There is a work to be done in teaching the mother higher Christian home ideals, how to care for her home and children, the preparation of proper foods, etc.
Time will not permit going into detail regarding the vast field of labor open in a public way to the missionary wife. She can visit the sick and troubled, invite people to Sabbath school and other church services, and the like. Literature distribution offers a large field of service. She may engage in Big Week, Harvest Ingathering, and other campaigns. From the inspired pen we have the following regarding kinds of labor:
"Whether in foreign missions or in the home field, all missionaries, both men and women, will gain much more ready access to the people, and will find their usefulness greatly increased, if they are able to minister to the sick. Women who go as missionaries to heathen lands may thus find opportunities for giving the gospel to the women of these lands, when every other door of access is closed. All gospel workers should know how to give the simple treatments that do so much to relieve pain and remove disease."—"Ministry of Healing," pp. 145, 146.
"The efficient cook, the seamstress, the nurse—the help of all is needed. Let the members of poor households be taught how to cook, how to make and mend their own clothing, how to nurse the sick, how to care properly for the home. Even the children should be taught to do some little errand of love and mercy for those less fortunate than themselves."—"Testimonies," Vol. IX, pp. 36, 37.
Perhaps I should give a word of warning here regarding our social contacts. Unless care is taken, as one labors for those not of our faith in mission lands, associations may be formed that will prove detrimental to the best interests of the work of the missionary family. We are to be in the world, but not of the world. And in all our labors, no arrangements should be entered into and no associations formed that will in any wise hinder the work done or tend to weaken the spiritual life of the missionary.
At times, in mission lands, the missionary wife becomes lonely. It is not always easy to carry on her work under strange and often trying circumstances. I have found the greatest antidote for loneliness in going out and working for others. It has been my privilege, in my work in China, to assist in soliciting funds for the maintenance of our work. My heart overflows with joy as I see how God is blessing our work. It may seem a difficult task to visit the unsympathetic public and ask for funds. Still it affords me a great deal of pleasure. Lucrative offers have come to me to give up my labors and take up commercial work. But how could I turn from the work that gives me so much joy? My greatest satisfaction comes from seeing the funds I have assisted in gathering help to relieve the physical and spiritual ills of humanity. This beautiful quotation often comes to my mind:
"Our time here is short. We can pass through this world but once; as we pass along, let us make the most of life. The work to which we are called does not require wealth or social position or great ability. It requires a kindly, self-sacrificing spirit and a steadfast purpose. A. lamp, however small, if kept steadily burning, may be the means of lighting many other lamps. Our sphere of influence may seem narrow, our ability small, our opportunities few, our acquirements limited; yet wonderful possibilities are ours through a faithful use of the opportunities of our own homes. If we will open our hearts and homes to the divine principles of life, we shall become channels for currents of life-giving power. From our homes will flow streams of healing, bringing life, and beauty, and fruitfulness where now are barrenness and dearth."—"Ministry of Healing," p. 355.
I am glad to be in a mission land during these closing days of probationary time, and trust that as I continue my labors for the Master, they may be richly blessed, and result in leading many from the "land of Sinim" to a home in the earth made new.
Shanghai, China.
