The missionary gives up everything—his comfort, his family, his social life. He is ready to sacrifice his health, and even his life, if necessary, as he goes to primitive peoples in order to preach to them Christ crucified. In his endeavor to reach his great objective, he very soon realizes that it is a crushing task, and that he will be unable alone to proclaim the gospel to the multitudes of heathen who surround him. He must, therefore, first of all, train the best prospects among his new converts and the young men who have finished their primary studies at the mission school. He must have the help of zealous native workers who wish to consecrate all their energies to the fulfillment of the ministry of reconciliation among those of their own race. This is in harmony with the following principles which are set forth in the Spirit of prophecy. These were originally written concerning work for the colored people in North America; but they apply in principle to the mission field today. The messenger of the Lord writes:
"Christian colored students should be preparing to give the truth to their own race."—"Testimonies, Vol. IX, p. 199. "Let the work be managed so that colored laborers will be educated to work for their own race. Among the Negro race there are many who have talent and ability."—Id., p. 202.
There are, therefore, important reasons why the committee of every local mission field should give study to the best methods to be applied in training devoted native workers who will help us to quickly finish the work of God. I have often asked myself whether, in case of war or other calamities which might oblige European workers to leave the field, our native workers would be sufficient in number and adequate in training and capability to maintain the organization of the church, and carry on evangelistic work in their country. Would the training we have given them qualify them sufficiently, so that we might without fear consider the possibility of placing in their hands the sublime task of strengthening the church and warning those who are still outside? The time will certainly come soon when the missionaries in many fields will be confronted with this serious problem. The messenger of the Lord speaks as follows concerning this soon-coming perplexity :
"As time advances, and race prejudices increase, it will become almost impossible, in many places, for white workers to labor for the colored people."—Id., pp. 207, 208.
Here in the Cameroons we are surrounded by some tribes which, after having been evangelized by a certain Protestant missionary society, have separated from them because of certain misunderstandings which could not be cleared up. These tribes then began to direct themselves. However, it was soon realized that these native communities were incapable of managing their religious work. One of them, a small tribe of a few hundred members along the coast, appealed to another Protestant society for help, and was refused. Finally they turned to us. About a year ago we went among these people to preach the advent message to them.
Another tribe, more important than the one just mentioned, also separated from the Protestant society that had brought them the good tidings. These natives are now in full charge of their spiritual activity. It is true that they have chapels, native ministers, teachers, meetings; but what disaster ! An absurd Modernism, mixed with heathen doctrines, has taken the upper hand in their religious services, and there is hardly anything left of the religion of Christ except the name. These facts lead us to understand still better that the training of native workers who are capable and well rooted in Bible truth is of first importance if we want our work to stand.
It is relatively easy to recruit hundreds of students from the primary schools, because the black child is eager to learn. These youth understand that they will make better headway in life if they receive a certain amount of general knowledge. It is not very difficult to secure native teachers for the primary schools, provided they be given a reasonable salary. But the most delicate problem is to find necessary candidates for Bible courses, to train young men as native evangelists. 'The black student who has finished his primary grades has to meet many temptations today. On account of growing facilities in communication, and the development of commerce in the mission fields, the educated black feels inclined to look to the great commercial centers, to live his own life there, rather than to prepare himself for the preaching of the gospel.
The small amount of good brought by modern civilization to these primitive peoples does not help to solve our problem. The native is more easily won by the deceitfulness of the world than by the call of the Master. That is the reason why, in some of our fields, there is not a single young man in our Bible schools who is willing to devote himself to the work of God. What can be done in the presence of these obstacles? Give up? Far from it I Before all else, one must believe that it is possible to recruit and train young natives for the ministry in spitd of all exterior difficulties. Let us take to heart this testimony:
"When God's workers allow His Spirit to work upon their minds, much will be accomplished in the saving of souls. The Lord is our helper. He will guide us in all matters, if we will trust in Him. One thing is certain: We must have faith in God,-- faith that He will arrange matters in a way that will enable us to work successfully. No one ever trusted God in vain. He will never disappoint those who put their trust in Him."--Id., p. 213.
Do we possess, in the midst of the many disappointments and in the presence of our personal faultiness, this unmovable faith that God will, in spite of all, fill our training schools with natives who are desirous of working for Him? Do we believe with all our heart that these young black bushmen, in whom we see so many deficiencies and such lack of training, will become true servants of the Lord, if we do not become weary in placing before them the picture of the true worker? The missionary who receives moving appeals from everywhere today, to take the message of salvation right into the bush, must pray with his colaborers and his church, "that He will send forth laborers into His harvest." He must remember that God alone raises up and trains faithful workers and sends them into His vineyard. But he and his church must pray God to do so. Finally, our great need as missionaries is to understand what Mrs. White expresses in this sentence, which is so simple and yet so profound: "Were Christ on earth today, He would teach the Negro race in a way that would surprise us."—Id., pp. 223, 224.
We all need to know this teaching method of Jesus. I cannot explain it or teach it to my fellow missionary in conversation or by writing. Each one must seek to know it personally. Christ Himself will teach it to us. We must not have the feeling that we are accomplished teachers, and that it is easier to train a native than a white man. But in a spirit of humility, recognizing our lack, we must draw near to the divine Master, place ourselves as disciples at His feet, and say: "Speak, Lord, for Thy servant heareth." We shall then hear His voice. He will teach us how we are to work in training native people to prepare themselves so that they can reveal to those of their own race the one thing which is necessary.
Since missionary work is altogether spiritual, we need, above all, this spiritual preparation, in order to create an efficient native ministry. If we carry the weapon of the Spirit, God will direct us as we fulfill this most important task. He will help us to learn the secrets of the psychology of these primitive peoples, to understand more and more the needs of future native helpers, and to transmit to the minds of black student-evangelists a knowledge of Jesus and His methods.
