To be engaged in any branch of the Lord’s work is a great privilege. To be a co-worker with God in the salvation of souls in whatever capacity is to occupy an honoured position. We are told it is a work the angels would gladly do, but the great Gospel commission given by Christ, “Go ye into all the world,” was spoken to men. How, wonderful it is that we are called to carry to completion the great scheme of human redemption.
The work of true evangelization should not be carried on alone by ministers, but with the ministry there should be a seed-sowing. This can be done by consecrated individuals. In the days of Luther, while he was hidden behind the curtain and the world did not see him, Luther’s writings were carried to the uttermost parts of Germany by people who were not suspected by the dignitaries of the church. These God-fearing men (colporteurs) were used by the Lord to bring about the Reformation in that great country. In like manner God will use colporteurs in preparing the minds of the people for the reception of present truth.
The greatest message that was ever given to the world is now due, and the people who know this message should endeavour in some way to give it forth to the world. Our ministers are few in number. They will not be able to reach every city and town, but the faithful colporteur can sell and distribute that which will give the people the same message that the minister would give. With a world ready to listen, with liberty practically on every hand, and with an abundance of precious literature, our great need to-day is for a large number of men and women to carry the literature from place to place, acquainting the people with the truth. The peculiar age in which we live should appeal, in a special way, to our laity to respond to give the message which explains “that the end of all things is at hand.” In Testimonies, Vol. 9, page 11, we read:
“We are living in the time of the end. The fast fulfilling signs of the times declare that the coming of Christ is neat at hand The days in which we live are solemn and important. The Spirit of God is gradually but surely being withdrawn from the earth. Plagues and judgments are already falling upon the despisers of the grace of God. The calamities by land and sea, the unsettled state of society, the alarms of war, are portentous. They forecast approaching events of the greatest magnitude.”
We as followers of Christ are to carry this last message to a dying world. We are told that we are to visit the people, to talk and to pray with them. In the same volume, page 42, we read also these solemn words: “It is a mystery that there are not hundreds at work where there is but one.”
Truly our greatest need in the Northern European Division is men—men and women who are consecrated, prepared, and fitted to carry our precious literature to the homes of the people. Read these words from the spirit of prophecy (Vol. 9, page 34):
“The work of the canvasserevangelist, whose heart is imbued with the Holy Spirit, is fraught with wonderful possibilities for good. The presentation of the truth, in love and simplicity, from house to house, is in harmony with the instruction that Christ gave His disciples when He sent them out on their first missionary tour. By songs of praise, by humble, heart-felt prayers, many ill be reached. The divine Worker will be present to send cenviction to hearts. ‘I am with you alway,. is His promise. With the assurance of the abiding presence of such a helper, we may labour with faith and hope and courage.”
In view of the great need let us all unite in one great effort to find men and women who will give their lives to the “Literature Ministry” for the carrying of God’s warning message to the world. May the Lord of the harvest lay the burden of this work heavily upon the hearts of His people, and cause many to answer the call to help to swell the “loud cry” and hasten the coming of our Saviour.
