The Challenge Before Us--Part 1
ROBERT H. PIERSON President, Southern Asia Division
Perhaps the greatest challenge confronting the Advent people today lies in the multiplied millions of the Orient, Africa, and the other non-Christian countries of earth. We have made but a very meager impression upon the great Moslem nations of the Orient, the Middle East, and other sections of the world where the sword of the prophet took Mohammed's message centuries ago. Someone has estimated that every sixty seconds that ticks into eternity sees seventy persons in non-Christian lands go down to Christless graves. It is a staggering thought. For some of us charged with the responsibility of evangelizing large and densely populated areas of such peoples, the thought at times nearly crushes us!
John R. Mott once said, "Two hundred million people lie down every night hungry in body. One thousand millions lie down without God, without Jesus Christ." If evangelism is the watchword of the hour and we know it is and must be—then the greatest challenge of evangelistic endeavor confronting this people in these thrilling closing hours of earth's history is represented by these one thousand millions who know not Christ and His saving mes sage of present truth. Half the human family still lies in heathen darkness.
Let me repeat my premise, that I might make it more impressive, lest we miss the point: If we believe the gospel commission to be the only justification for our existence as a people, then the greatest challenge of any nature confronting this church today is the evangelization of the great masses that compose the so-called heathen and Moslem world. Present-day institutionalism, departmentalism, and evangelism in the homeland and other Christian countries pose their problems, it is true. These, however, pale into the solvable when placed alongside the complex, perplexing, and enigmatic task of warning more than a thousand million judgment-bound people steeped in the most subtle philosophies and bound by the most cruel, unyielding chains ever forged by the archdeceiver! No greater task or challenge confronts the Ad vent Church today!
Type of Workers Needed
Well-trained, consecrated, and educated men are needed to meet this challenge. The day when "anyone will do for the 'poor heathen' " is gone forever! There may have been a time when some felt that if a worker couldn't make a success in the homeland, he could be sent to the mission field. Here, it was presumed, his limited talents might adequately equip him to render acceptable service among the illiterate masses. This unenlightened philosophy was, is, and always will be a fallacious premise upon which to build a militant and effective program of evangelism among non-Christian peoples. We need the best our home lands can send us!
Today our evangelists in non-Christian lands face politically awakened and, in many instances, scholastically well-educated peoples. I know from personal experience that they encounter all the variegated op position met in the homeland. In addition they are opposed by all the sophistries of entrenched heathen philosophy. Such odds demand the best!
I would like to make a few observations regarding the type of workers needed for evangelism among non-Christians today.
First and foremost, men of deep consecration are needed men who know how to lean heavily upon the arm of the Lord for their support and success. The glamour of a foreign field soon wears off. Within a few weeks the newcomer is face to face with some of the unromantic realities of life amid new and strange surroundings. Workers have suggested that they were interested in one term of service in a mission field for the broadening experience it would give them. Many such would be flattened rather than broadened by the mission field. We need men who come because the divine imperative rests so heavily upon them they cannot do otherwise. We need men in whose bones the fires of evangelism cannot be quenched men whose unflagging faith will not falter when the way is hard and visible results are at times not large. Their relationship with God and their call to the gospel ministry must be forever settled before they accept an invitation to preach the gospel in heathen lands, for it is "not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord," that success comes in these lands.
An evangelist in a non-Christian country must be a man of indomitable spirit and unflagging courage. Of him as of the apostle Paul it must be said: "He was not silenced by the science or the irony of the philosophers; ... he was determined to accomplish his errand among them, and, at all hazards, to tell his story." Acts of the Apostles, p. 236.
In Acts of the Apostles, page 235, the messenger of the Lord gives us a little in sight into the qualifications of that great apostle to the non-Christians Paul. People were drawn to him, it is said, because he was "no novice," because of his "intellectual power," and because he possessed a personality that enabled him "to meet all classes" of people. Successful workers in non-Christian lands will be respected for similar qualifications today. They should have experience, education, and pleasing personalities.
The Lord's messenger further declares, "He [Paul] showed himself familiar with their works of art, their literature, and their religion." Ibid., p. 237. Likewise today our workers will do well to take time to acquaint themselves with the manners, customs, and religions of the people for whom they labor. Wide reading before coming to the field, and careful observation and continued study after arrival, will equip the worker to labor more effectively for the peoples he meets in new lands. Such procedure will save much embarrassment, for the manners and customs of the West are not always those of the East.
Along with and inextricably bound up with an understanding of the manners and customs of a new people is a knowledge of their language. This is a must in effective evangelism for the non-Christian. To know his language is better to explore his mind, and is the only way truly to enter his heart and help him with the problems he is bound to meet in becoming a Christian.
Attention should especially be directed to the training of promising young national workers for major assignments of evangelism among their own peoples. With a knowledge of the language, manners, and customs of their people from birth, they are in a much better position to preach the message effectively than is a foreigner. Good judgment advises such a course. The inter national situation demands it. Already a great portion of the non-Christian world has been closed to foreigners. National evangelists must now carry on. We who are leaders in other threatened areas need to be preparing national men of consecration and talent to carry on in a strong manner.
The Kind of Workers God Needs Today
R. E. DELAFIELD President, East Jamaica Conference
One Sabbath afternoon I read the following statement from the Spirit of prophecy, and it struck me with unusual force:
"At this time God's cause is in need of men and women who possess rare qualifications and good administrative powers; men and women who will make patient, thorough investigation o£ the needs of the work in various fields; those who have a large capacity for work; those who possess warm, kind hearts, cool heads, sound sense, and unbiased judgment; those who are sanctified by the Spirit of God and can fearlessly say, No, or Yea and Amen, to propositions; those who have strong convictions, clear understanding, and pure, sympathetic hearts; those who practice the words, 'All ye are brethren;' those who.strive to uplift and restore fallen humanity." Testimonies, vol. 7, p. 249.
Then I asked my thirteen-year-old boy to read it carefully. After a thoughtful reading, in typical boyish fashion he said, "That's good. Sure true, isn't it? It's a challenge." This statement of 108 words does present a mighty challenge to the workers in God's cause today.
"At This Time"
"At this time," the fearful time of the end, when the world's cup of iniquity is almost full and God's last great, closing call of mercy is sounding; "at this time" of latter rain, God's cause needs men and women of unusual character. As the nations arm and race toward atomic war, as men and women give themselves to last-day religious formalism and error, and at the same time indulge in forbidden lusts and appetites, God's cause needs exceptional men and women.
"At this time," as the enemy seeks to take the entire world captive, God's cause needs the most spiritual workers ever mustered together in a religious movement. He needs such workers in order to reach hungry souls everywhere whose hearts are really longing for spiritual food.
"Millions of human beings are perishing in ignorance and iniquity." Ibid., vol. 8, p. 27. We must reach as many as we can before they die in shame and sin, without hope and without God. But to reach them before they perish, God calls for such men and women of character, consecration, and consistency as the world has never yet seen.
"Rare Qualifications and Good Administrative Powers"
God gives the gifts, or qualifications, or should we say, He gives the opportunities for men to possess good and "rare qualifications," and God's cause today needs workers with these outstanding talents fully consecrated to Him. We thank the Lord for the men and women of giant intellects and "rare qualifications" for leadership, who, under God, give direction to His cause in all the earth.
God's cause needs men and women who can wisely administer the various branches of the work. Not armchair strategists or drivers of their fellow workers in the field, but leaders are needed now who are fully balanced and sensible. It is an art no doubt the greatest art of all to deal with minds, both in soul winning itself and in leading others in soul winning. Our work, the most perfectly organized in the world, has grown into a great moving cause with many departments and phases of activity. Skilled generalship is needed, "and good administrative powers" in leading our people and our fellow workers into God's great twofold objective for us: "to reveal the likeness of Christ's character and to labor for the enlargement of His kingdom." Ibid., p. 20. May God make us, His ministers, leaders in the truest sense well organized, orderly, systematic, careful and guarded, tactful and yet energetic, knowing what Israel should do, leading them in the way to do it, keeping always in mind that our one work is to warn a world and to save every soul we can from earth's impending doom.
"Patient, Thorough Investigation"
Many times the Lord has told His people through His messenger that we should branch out, and not center too much in one place. There is always grave danger in growing too large in one locality. In our work in the past the Lord has spoken with more than mere words; He has even visited with judgment, to teach us "of the needs of the work in various fields," not in a scant few centers only.
God's cause today needs leaders who will make this "patient, thorough investigation of the needs of the work in various fields." Oh, the tragic needs of the work in some fields where there is not so much as one treatment room to care for the sick, one secondary school to train our youth; where there are few church buildings to house our people in worship, and fewer church schools to save our precious children!
"A Large Capacity for Work"
Only a few moments of time remain; we should redeem the time and accomplish much, crowding into life all the good works we can. God does not mean that one man should do the work of five or six, or even of two men, but He does mean that He needs men who are not afraid to work, "who have a large capacity for work." This is no time now to divide our interests, part in private pursuits and investments for gain and the remainder in God's work. God's work requires all of us and all our time. Let us rise above the mediocre and ordinary, and possess this "large capacity" for "this one thing" the holy work of God.
"Warm, Kind Hearts, Cool Heads, Sound Sense, and Unbiased Judgment"
What a glorious thought! Oh, the depths of the wisdom of God in such words of divine counsel as these! God needs workers today with hearts warm and kind. Pastors are needed who love little children and the youth in their congregations and treat them with warm interest, going out of their way to befriend and help them. More and more Christ is calling us to be unselfish and kind in heart, not only to children and youth, but to one another as workers. If our hearts are really warm, and we "love one another with a pure heart fervently" (1 Peter 1:22), how can we find fault with one another? Notice:
"The work of the Christian is an individual work. Let God's workers cease to find fault, for this is sin. Let them improve themselves as they think that their fellow workers should improve." Ibid., p. 170. (Italics supplied.)
May God give us "warm, kind hearts" and "cool heads." Warm hearts, calm in spirit. This is easier for some than for others. Some are almost naturally coolheaded; others have a great struggle with impatience and wrath. Not "hot-headed eccentrics" but "cool-headed reformers" are needed now. Leaders in the work of God must be men who keep calm under all circumstances. This is extremely difficult for many, but this victory must be gained. Notice again:
"Do not allow yourself to become wrought up over the vexatious troubles that are constantly arising. Keep calm, think of Jesus, and do what you can to please Him." "Do just as Christ would do were He in your place."—Ibid., p. 132. (Italics supplied.)
"Keep a cool head" is an old saying; in Red Cross and first-aid work it means a great deal; in gospel work for God it is likewise invaluable. A man may have a "warm, kind heart" and still possess an impatient, hasty spirit. The latter must be overcome. The writer recently came upon two people who were in the throes of warm discussion. It was readily seen that three,
instead of two lined up in heated conversation, were at least one too many. Prayer was suggested and offered, and the Holy Spirit calmed three restive spirits and gave a glorious victory for Christ.
"Sanctified by the Spirit of God"
"Those who are sanctified by the Spirit of God and can fearlessly say, No, or Yea and Amen, to propositions." Men of action, forthrightness, and decision; men who can not be bought or sold; men who love Christ and honor more than position or favor, are needed now.
One person was once heard to remark, "I don't like the chairman, and so I oppose everything he is for." May God keep that spirit from our ranks! God does not want "yes men"; neither does He want "no men" who oppose everything that counters their ideas. He does need sanctified, fearless men and women who can speak and vote their minds for Him.
"Strong Convictions, Clear Understanding, and Pure, Sympathetic Hearts"
These words embrace much. Men with "strong convictions," who know where duty lies and act on impressions of right, are coveted now in every line of work; but especially are they needed in God's cause. "Clear understanding" is a quality that the unobservant, hasty man of snap judgment needs to value and obtain. Not all men are naturally endowed with ability to see through things with forethought and complete understanding. Many an issue has been lost, many a victory sacrificed, be cause of a lack of understanding. How often do we hear men say, "I didn't under stand it that way." It may often take a few moments longer to get an idea clearly in one's mind, but in the end better results will accrue. In modern warfare many months of planning and preparation are needed, so that all along the line a "clear understanding" is had by all men involved in any given operation. So in God's cause. The Lord has told us, "The work you are engaged in cannot be done except by forces which are the result of well-understood plans." Evangelism, p. 94.
Warm, kind, pure, sympathetic hearts are needed in Israel today. Hard, cruel, unsympathetic, coldhearted men are better out of God's work.
Men like Joseph and Daniel are needed, men who can be trusted. Spiritual leaders have fallen on moral issues. While canvassing, only a few months after my baptism, I was stunned one afternoon. A gentleman asked me, "Which church do you represent?" I told him. Then he said, "One of your leaders in this area just committed suicide." The evening newspaper substantiated it. One of the leaders had fallen in sin and death.
"Pure . . . hearts" are needed in spiritual leaders, or we may fail as did our poor brother.
"Those Who Practice the Words, 'All Ye Are Brethren"
With a world message going everywhere today, men and women of all nations, kindreds, peoples, and tongues are brought together in holy Christian fellowship. There can be no superiority complex in Adventist workers. "All ye are brethren." The precious grace of humility, of brotherly preferment, is needed now. God needs the type of workers who glory in another's advancement. All desire for supremacy should die when men receive the Holy Ghost. When we "love one other with a pure heart fervently," we shall practice the words, "All ye are brethren." Missionaries must be not only adaptable but expend able; they must give themselves for others, and for others' preferment above their own. The "second mile" and "cloak also" experience is needed among men and women who work for God today. Self-crucified men consider every man as a brother. Not only are we to believe that "all ye are brethren," but we are to "practice" those precious words; and if we do, we need not boast of it in our speeches; we need not tell it so much in our words; the brethren will know it very quickly by our actions.
"Those Who Strive to Uplift and Restore Fallen Humanity"
That is why we are here in this world today to make it a better place for our having been here. God needs converted men today who love the souls of the unconverted. Everywhere, on every hand, are dying men and women, controlled by evil, who need to be lifted heavenward and re stored to God. Oh, the pathetic indifference manifested by many Christians toward their fellow men!
Men and women are needed who will give the last call to the marriage supper of the Lamb, who have Paul's concern for fallen human beings. Paul could wish him self accursed if only his brethren according to the flesh might be saved. He actually gave himself to "uplift and restore fallen humanity."
God give us men and women, watchful and happy, consecrated and surrendered, whose every breath is a prayer, every thought a burden, every word an interest, every action a reaching out to uplift, re store, and save fallen humanity.
Fellow workers, at this time God's cause needs the most spiritual men and women ever united on earth in a holy crusade for God. The challenge of this statement in Testimonies, volume 7, page 249, and the call for a doubled world membership what higher and nobler aims than these could God give to last-generation human beings? Shall we of the Advent cause now rise to the mark of this exceedingly high calling of God in Christ Jesus?
Classroom Devotions
A. D. HOLMES Assistant Professor in Education and Mathematics, Emmanuel Missionary College
Every Christian teacher is aware of the importance of appealing to his students in a spiritual way. Without question the development of a Christian character is one of the fundamental reasons for a system of education different from that which the world offers. The particular way in which that spiritual appeal is made will probably vary with the nature of the course taught, and most assuredly with the experience and personality of the individual teacher.
The Christian teacher, if he is efficient and well trained in his chosen field of study, is respected by his students for his intellectual attainments and teaching ability. However, if he deals only with technical and intellectual matter, he falls short. While he stands on vantage ground before his students because of his achievement intellectually, he must not forget his greatest and most pressing obligation encouraging spiritual growth. This sentence from Education, page 124, is to the point: "The mind occupied with commonplace matters only, becomes dwarfed and enfeebled."Many teachers emphasize the spiritual by opening the class hour with a word of prayer, offered either by a student or by the teacher. This is quite the regular thing in classes in the field of religion, but it is also the practice of many teachers in other fields of study. The pause at the beginning of the class for a word of prayer is perhaps the most common practice, and I would not say there is any one procedure better than another, but I do believe that some sort of heart appeal is also very much to be com mended. It is possible for a practice such as that just mentioned to degenerate into a form. This is especially true because of its frequency and the element of sameness. It has been my personal lot to teach mathematics, science, and other non-religion courses for more than thirty years, and during that time my procedure in this regard has undergone an evolutionary process. In earlier years I began the class period with a short prayer. I followed that plan for some time. However, as years went by, I became increasingly aware of the fact that it was not doing very much for the group. It had become a form, a matter of routine. Then I tried to find ways to show that "the revelations of science and the experiences of life are in harmony with the testimony of Scripture." Ibid., p. 130. This was very fruitful. Opportunities for such correlation are multitudinous, especially in the fields of science and psychology. This practice is to my mind very much worth while and one that can be enlarged upon without limitation, for in Education, on page 14, I read, "As the moon and the stars of our solar system shine by the reflected light of the sun, so, as far as their teaching is true, do the world's great thinkers reflect the rays of the Sun of Righteousness." Al though this practice is most excellent and should always continue as part of the daily program, yet its appeal is primarily intellectual.
Weekly Devotional Period
What has proved most satisfactory in the classroom is somewhat of a deviation from both these common practices. For several years now I have set aside one day each week during which a spiritual thought is presented. Wednesday is very acceptable for a three-hour class and Thursday for a two-hour class.
At the beginning of the course I take a few minutes to explain that my contacts with members of the class in a spiritual way are somewhat limited, especially as the classes have grown larger. Then I explain that I desire very much the privilege of bringing to them for their consideration a verse from the Bible. It might be a brief mention of the Pharisee and the publican going to the Temple to pray, and why God heard one and not the other. Or it might be the verse in James 5:16, where God says that "the effectual fervert prayer of a righteous man availeth much." This discussion on any thought gathered from the study of the Bible is very short and pointed, taking not more than about five minutes of the class period. It is followed by a short prayer, generally by a member of the class who has been asked before the class opened if he would pray.
I explain to my class at the outset my reasons for taking the few minutes once each week, and express the hope that it will meet with their approval. Scores of students have testified to benefits gained from such a program. In introducing the plan I ask whether they would like to put all else aside for a few minutes and "think on these things." Cooperation in this matter and acceptance as a whole have been beyond all expectations. A few times in my mathematics classes some question was asked as class opened, and it appeared that we had for gotten the devotional period that Wednesday, but some student always called my attention to the apparent omission. Some effort is required to find and prepare the material once a week, but few experiences have proved more satisfying or more productive of good than has this one. I have explained my program somewhat in detail, hoping that some ideas might be helpful to others. The experience and personality of the teacher will make it necessary to alter details to meet individual needs, but surely some real effort should be made to share with our students the good experiences that are ours spiritually.
