Digging For Truth

YI-June 1897-Preach the Gospel

         YOUTH  INSTRUCTOR  -  G O,   p r e a c h    t h e    g o s p e l                  

                                          Youth Instructor  - -  June 17th and 24th 1897    

                   Part 1:     June 17, 1897                                                                                               

   The Lord’s commission to his people is, “Go.... preach the gospel to every creature.” As faithful watchmen, we are to sound the warning message of the peril that is soon coming. There must be no shirking of disagreeable duties, no selfish considerations. As soldiers of Christ, we must be true to our duties, and press into the ranks of workers. God’s people must be standing girt with all the heavenly armor, that they may labor with all the capabilities he has given them to prepare a people to stand in the day of God. { YI June 17, 1897, par. 1 }

 

   Preaching the gospel includes more than sermonizing; and the work is not confined to the ministry. Thousands are idle who should be working in various ways for the salvation of souls. Those who ought to be carrying the truth to others spend altogether too much time in gatherings for their own benefit. Fields of labor are left unoccupied while the churches have too much done for them. This has made church-members weak. They know the truth, but carry no burden for their perishing neighbors. Many could do a good work by carrying the light to the village and towns about them. This labor would make the church strong. Those who cannot go out into the field to work should remember that they must be imbued with the Spirit of God, that at home they may hold the fort. { YI June 17, 1897, par. 2 }

 

   Self-denial, self-sacrifice, and self-control under difficulties are needed at every step. We must not expect to find ease and conveniences in our path. Christ has given us an example in this respect. He did not choose life’s easiest places, as many of his professed followers have done. When educating his disciples, he did not gather for his audience those who knew the way, the truth, and the life. He seldom gathered his disciples alone to receive the words of eternal life. His voice was to reach the multitudes who were ignorant and in error. He placed himself in the thoroughfares of travel, where he could sow broadcast the seeds of truth, and where the lessons given would reach the darkened understanding. He was the Truth, standing with girded loins and dusty feet, with his hands ever outstretched to bless; and in words of warning, entreaty, and encouragement, seeking to uplift and save all who would believe on him. { YI June 17, 1897, par. 3 }

 

   We are privileged in being workers for God in any capacity whatever. It is our duty to help where we can financially, although it may be but little that we can give. The masses must be reached. The gospel is to be preached to every creature. The message of entreaty must be borne to the poor as well as to those who have all their necessities supplied,—who have plenty to eat and drink and wear, and who scarcely know what it means to hunger or thirst. This work we must do while pressing close to the great heart of infinite love. { YI June 17, 1897, par. 4 }

 

   The sunshine of Christ’s righteousness stamps his image upon the soul. His love was expressed without partiality and without hypocrisy. It was that healthful, hardy love which “beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.” This love is a divine love which nothing can quench. Faith and love blended bring all the heavenly graces in their train. In the possession of these, patience, kindness, affection, and perfect trust in God will be seen in the daily life. We shall manifest the meekness and lowliness of Christ, in bearing his cross, in wearing his yoke, in lifting his burdens. { YI June 17, 1897, par. 5 }

 

   It will not answer for you to take hold of this work half-heartedly, dwelling all the time upon its discouraging features, your own helplessness, and the uncertainty of success. This is the reason that so many have failed. It is your privilege to go from your hours of pleading with God, and open up the ways that seem closed. The Majesty of heaven spent much of his time in meditation by the seaside; long before daybreak, ere the engrossing cares of the day began, his voice was heard in the mountains and groves, raised in earnest prayer to his Father in heaven. { YI June 17, 1897, par. 6 }

 

   The question will doubtless arise in your minds, “Who is sufficient for these things?” In your own strength you are not sufficient. You cannot go forth to engage in this work unless daily, yes, hourly, you draw nourishment from the living Vine. Christ’s words on this subject are clear and easily understood. He says: “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches; he that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” { YI June 17, 1897, par. 7 }

     

        Part 2:    June 24, 1897—Go, Preach the Gospel                               

               

   The great principle illustrated by the vine is the secret of Christian character and growth. The soul that abides in Christ can never be barren nor unfruitful. You must draw your supplies from him who is the source of all strength and sufficiency. If you will abide in Christ, he will be with you, and will bestow upon you every gift necessary for your success in this work. In your lack of confidence in yourself, look unto Jesus. Look and live; for in him are life and light. Lean on God. He will supply all your needs; he will be made unto you wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption. As the human agent contemplates the character of Christ, and abides in his love, the mind of Christ is transferred to him, and he bears the image of the divine. Thus it was with Moses and Stephen. Christ was in them, and was revealed in their daily life. { YI June 24, 1897, par. 1 }

 

 

  We are  nearing the close of this earth’s history, soon we shall stand before the great white throne. Your opportunities for work will soon be past. Therefore work while it is called today. With the help of God, every true believer can see where there is work to be done. When the human will co-operates with the will of God  it becomes omnipotent, and the worker can make opportunities. Watch for the souls with whom you come in contact.  Watch for opportunities to speak a word in season to them. Do not wait for an introduction, or until you become acquainted with them, before you seek to save the perishing souls around you.  If you will go to work in earnest, ways will open before you for the accomplishment of this work. Lean upon the divine arm for wisdom, strength, and skill for the work  that God has given you to do.  This wisdom you will surely receive, for God has promised, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”  A thorough knowledge of your field of labor can be gained only by wise, earnest, faithful work, as you seek help from Christ, the great source of all power and efficiency.  No worker can be successful unless, like Daniel, he pleads with God for grace and wisdom. { YI June 24, 1897, par. 2 } Read entire article

 

   God has chosen his children as the instruments by which his work shall be accomplished, and he is not pleased when he sees them disregarding the laws of health. It is the duty of all to place themselves in the very best relation to life and health. Care should be taken for the preservation of the physical, mental, and moral powers. The need to be carefully cherished for the Master’s use. Medical missionaries may do a work for time and for eternity if they will engage in the work imbued with the Spirit of God. { YI June 24, 1897, par. 3 }

 

   The period of childhood and youth,—how much is bound up in these years of probation! God desires that you shall improve this time, dear youth, by obtaining a fitness for the work. If you need an education, set yourselves to work with a determination to get one. Do not wait for an opening; make one for yourselves. Take hold in any small way that opens before you. Be thorough and faithful in whatever you take in hand, however small it may be. Some of our youth are so vacillating that they accomplish nothing for themselves; their lifetime is often half spent before they decide what they shall do, and what they will be. They bury their talents beneath a mass of rubbish. To these I would say, Practise economy. Do not spend your means for the gratification of appetite or for pleasure seeking. Make your mark in the world. Have before you the object of becoming as useful and efficient as God calls you to be. As you improve the knowledge you gain, you will be able to gather increased knowledge. Application to your books and useful manual labor, combined with earnest Christian devotion and loyalty to God, will make you men and women in the highest sense. True devotion to God, combined with the study of the sciences, will give the youth an education that will make them gentle, humble lovers of God, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Such souls, fragrant with love for God and for their fellow men, God can use as vessels unto honor. { YI June 24, 1897, par. 4 }

 

 

 

 

 

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