"Run, Speak to This Young Man"

There is always a great urgency on the part of the church to lead young people to Christ, for all too soon the golden opportunities of youth pass away. By the time a young man or woman reaches the middle thirties, youthful zeal is waning, if not spent. Usually at this age the selection of a life partner has been made, and if the matter of accepting Christ has not previously been settled the entire family may be involved. At least there are more obstacles in the way, for the chances are that one or the other in the partnership will lag behind. The in-laws may also become a factor to be dealt with, and relations may be strained.

Naturally, by the time the thirties are reached young people become more cautious in their ac­tions. They are now facing responsibilities of their own. Some may be blessed with a measure of faith, which, combined with youthful daring, will bring response to the call of the gospel. But the gospel worker will find many who must first be trained to exercise faith, and during this process those who should readily decide may procrastinate and plead various excuses. But after the right decision is made and ad­hered to, the church will find in these youthful surrendered lives material on which to build. One of the greatest assets is stability, and much can be expected from children in the homes of stable young couples.

The Late Teens and Early Twenties

While there is great urgency for the truth to be accepted before youth slips into the perplex­ing thirties, there is another crisis period in the late teens and early twenties. This is an impor­tant transition time, advantaged by marvelous possibilities. Today, young men and women in this bracket are much on the move. Either their country or their chosen profession may present first claims to their strength and ambitions. All must then fit into real life, and restlessness seems to be in the very air that is breathed. Youth now takes itself very seriously, and rightly so. At this time there is great urgency for the gospel evangelist to grip and follow up any opportunity for contact. Tomorrow it may be gone! However, the Spirit pleads in no un­certain tones, and young people are well con­ditioned to press through difficulties.

During this restive period a sudden romance may flare up, or a shallowness of purpose may confuse the larger issues at stake. The worker must exercise great understanding, patience, and determination in speaking to a young per­son. Often with gospel guile he may find him-self-tracking this prospect for Christ. Now is the time for the youth to receive the guiding hand of one who while still young at heart has be­come a mature thinker. Strangely enough, youth in need of help often do not consult parents. Why? Youth well knows how they will react and deter—and that just cannot be! Youth simply must reach its objective, and quickly. The urgency is tremendous!

Adults may stand by and query the purpose for the rush that is upsetting the household, the school, and the church; but youth does not understand the reason for their concern. This period calls for guidance by all three agen­cies. Each may have to catch up on skillful meth­ods of handling the great principles of living, a duty that may have been neglected during the childhood training period. This may be a little humiliating at times but it is all too real. However, there is a more cheerful side to the picture, and it is this: When the effort to win the young man or woman proves successful, the church has won a stalwart for the faith! There is no half-way program in this age level. And there dare not be any spasmodic interest on the part of the gospel worker. Our larger gains in evangelism should be produced among this group.

Childhood and Adolescence

While we are discussing the different periods of youth for soul winning, the junior age must never be overlooked. During the last decades our denomination has formulated good plans as far as the junior problem is concerned. Hun­dreds of leaders have made their contribu­tions, and enjoyed with the juniors the spirit of comradeship and play. Young people have been taught to keep themselves occupied and happy with the church's business.

The church school. the Missionary Volunteer Society, the Sabbath school—all departments of the church—have alike worked for the develop­ment of our juniors. We have been made aware that if we neglected this age we would be fac­ing the grave problems of delinquency. And we have profited by the missionary activities ab­sorbing the energy of adolescence.

Youth Work Rewarding

The gospel worker with aptitude for guid­ing younger Christians is especially gifted of Heaven. Skill will grow into soul-winning charm long after the worker has passed youth's meri­dian. One caution should be observed: Interest in youth must never become professional; it should be motivated by a genuine desire to win souls during the best time of their lives. Each case is different, though many problems are of the same type. There is enjoyable adventure in working for young people. A chain reaction is bound to produce a continuous fruitage. Those saved for Christ will influence other youth, become leaders of youth and great mag­nets for attracting men and women to Christ. It is the most rewarding service in any worker's life. He remains young in the circle of youthful friendships, later mellowed by time and ex­perience. He becomes a welcome counselor and a much-sought-after help in life's problems and emergencies. All young people are lovable, and all workers should love young people.

Much more might be mentioned regarding the satisfactions that grow out of teaching a junior or primary Sabbath school class. Person­ally, we have grown by accepting the respon­sibility of teaching children and young people in our churches. Here we may look back upon a lovely type of service for the cause, enriched through the years. We observe that the denomi­nation's efforts, small in their beginnings, are producing a rich fruitage. The juniors of yester­year are the missionaries of today.

Youth leaders may build principles as lasting as eternity. As youth fades into middle life, and then into maturity, our care in building char­acter is repaid with satisfaction that the church has always made haste to work for the lambs of the flock. Now let us lift our horizons, and while we still play with the children, let us wisely teach them to bear the yoke of service in their youth. Seventh-day Adventist youth are facing an uncertain and difficult future, and while it would be unwise to alarm our carefree children, we must prepare them to bear hardships and to stand firm for Christian principles—always.

L. C. K.