As the decades have rolled on since the rise of the Advent Movement 111 years ago, the women of our denomination have been developing in many spheres of usefulness. Right from the early years of Adventism our sisters have played an important part in proclaiming the special message for this hour; but in the present decade they are revealing their influence in various services hitherto unknown in our denomination.
Adventist women are now carrying prominent parts on radio and television. They are giving the message to the world in song, and writing and enacting scripts that reveal a woman's touch. In the medical and nursing fields our sisters are rendering unusual service in the interests of health and care of the sick. In ministerial lines they are keeping up with the progress of our brethren in the ministry, while functioning in ways distinctive to the gentler sex.
The laywomen of our denomination are most active today, not only in the welfare and Dorcas ministry, but in our organized civilian defense, making outstanding leaders in this field. In our offices and departments it is expedient to enlist the services of skilled secretaries. During the past two decades a real army of our younger women have qualified as personnel and secretarial experts. The progress of our message would be greatly retarded without their efficiency. As has been wisely stated by one of our statesmen, "It ceases to be just a man's world; leadership today would not function without skilled womanhood." Our denomination has become conscious of the same conviction—that women do make a worth-while contribution to our work.
As a result of my service at our camp meetings and also my participation in two recent laymen's congresses, certain definite impressions regarding the work of our Adventist sisters continue to crystallize in my mind. While one observes unusual activity on the part of women in our midst—in cafeterias, medical groups, platform inspiration for the spreading of our present-truth message, et cetera—it is delightful to see the unobtrusive, humble spirit of all this collective talent. In spite of all that world leaders might suggest about its ceasing to be just "a man's world," Adventism's conservative ways are only slowly catching up with the strides made in secular fields.
The growing volume of womanly graces as displayed in our institutions everywhere, in our fast-developing publicity projects, in our happy homes, and in all our private relationships is praiseworthy. Godly women do not need a spotlight in which to perform. They are happy to serve the world and a cause in any capacity, and the halo for such service shines brightest in hours of disaster. In the testing and trying hours of earth's last days, when many homes are tottering and being destroyed, men pay tribute to a host of self-sacrificing women who are equally as courageous as the stronger sex in performing exploits for the gospel and humanity. It then matters not who is doing the work, but that the task is being done.
Having observed women in our larger congregations, and having listened to their sweet music and instruction in various public capacities, I would sincerely hope that their noble contributions would continue in the cause of Adventism. In counseling and conversing with hundreds of our sisters, young and old, who are serving as ministers' wives, pastoral assistants, Bible instructors, secretarial experts, nurses, technicians, et cetera, I have been privileged to note their reactions to our denominational endeavors. Yes, Adventism is safe and sound while this army of skillful and consecrated women continues to make the impact as we see it today.
In self-sacrificing endeavor, in the presentation of Bible truth, in talent, skills, and techniques, our Adventist women of today compare well with our women of the past. The virtuous woman described by the wise Solomon can be eulogized today in his words "Her candle goeth not out by night." One might well question whether the burden of the average pioneer Adventist sister for the promulgation of our message was greater than that of our sisters today, when the ends of the earth are waiting for woman's comforting and self-sacrificing ministry. The difference is that it requires time to get the focus on the present.
Learning to Conserve Our Strength
Perhaps the reason for this eulogy on the service of our sisters will become more apparent when we confide in our readers that a few faithful women in our ranks hunger for a little recognition. And in some cases these yearnings have grown out of disappointing experiences. With the mounting needs of the world calling for the service of strong, enduring womanhood, women may be encouiaged to speak out at times if by so doing they may guide the brethren in leadership. Adventism should never be marked by the suppression of a particular group or sex. While our sisters must guard against too free expression or performance in public, they need not shrink into oblivion. The servant of the Lord has given wise counsel on this matter.
There are times when the pressure and toil associated with the speedy giving of the message subjects our women to great strain and fatigue. They would then do well to recognize their limitations. This problem is more readily handled in the case of wives whose husbands can shield them, but single women of maturing years will need to make their own adjustments. Youth has a way of handling its own difficulties, but those of longer experience in our work may need counseling. We find that too many in this group continue to spend themselves for others, ignoring their own discomforts and fatigue until they reach a breaking point.
It is the Advent movement, and there seems to be little time for a backward look to see if our associates are able to keep pace. There are goals to be reached and deadlines to be met, but let us use the counsel Heaven has supplied in guiding others, not failing to profit by it personally. Again, we will need to take time for daily spiritual infilling; constant hustle and bustle is not conducive to spiritual poise and growth. Neglect here must be paid for in physical tensions.
The Spirit of Self-sacrifice
Next let us address our counsel to a younger generation, sharing it liberally, however, with every age level. Today we naturally lean toward material growth in "the abundance of things" human beings long to possess. Christian women should now be praying for a greater spirit of self-sacrifice; a broader vision for our supreme gospel tasks; a true Christian contentment when every modern gadget, convenience, and comfort cannot be supplied on "a missionary wage."
We are growing too conscious of beautifully set and lavishly supplied tables, of cozy homes that welcome only an occasional guest, and of garments that enhance our personalities.
Strength and winsomeness for the gospel's program of toil may soon be lost among us unless Adventist women exert leadership in sacrificing. We must strive to keep the office of the minister's wife or doctor's assistant in the path of traditional Adventism, and not compare ourselves with the Joneses. The Joneses are not necessarily all in the world; too many seem to be creeping into our own ranks.
These kindly exhortations are not passed on to our sisters as premeditated criticism; they grow out of impressions we have received in our activities and sojourns in the message. Together let us live up to our privileges in our families, churches, offices, and institutions, perfecting our talents, skills, and hobbies with the supreme object of speedily heralding the gospel message to all the world.
L. C. K.
