There is much to be done in the way of
establishing centers for our work in new fields. Missionary printing
offices should be established in many places. In connection with
our mission schools there should be facilities for printing and
for training workers in this line. Where there are in training
persons of various nationalities, speaking different languages,
each should learn to print in his own tongue, also to translate
into that tongue from the English. And while he is learning English,
he should be teaching his language to such English-speaking students
as may need to acquire it. Thus some of the foreign-born students
might defray the expense of their education, and workers might
be prepared to give valuable help in missionary enterprises.
In many cases the publishing work will
have to be started on a small scale. It will have to contend
with many difficulties and to be carried forward with few facilities.
But none should be discouraged because of this. The world's way
is to begin its work with pomp and show and boasting, but all
will come to nought. God's way is to make the day of small things
the beginning of the triumph of truth and righteousness. For
this reason none need to be elated by a prosperous beginning
or cast down by apparent feebleness. God is to His people riches
and fullness and power as they look to the things that are not
seen. To follow His direction is to choose the path of safety
and true success. "This is the victory that overcometh the
world, even our faith." 1 John 5:4.
Human power did not establish the work
of God, neither can human power destroy it. To those who carry
forward His work in face of difficulty and opposition, God will
give the constant guidance and guardianship of His holy angels.
His work on earth will never cease. The building of His spiritual
temple will be carried forward until it shall stand complete,
and the headstone shall be brought forth with shoutings: "Grace,
grace unto it."
The Christian is to be a benefit to others.
Thus he himself is benefited. "He that watereth shall be
watered also himself." Proverbs 11:25. This is a law of
the divine administration, a law by which God designs that the
streams of beneficence shall be kept, like the waters of the
great deep, in constant circulation, perpetually returning to
their source. In the fulfilling of this law is the power of Christian
missions.
I have been instructed that wherever by
self-sacrifice and urgent efforts facilities for the establishment
and advancement of the cause have been provided, and the Lord
has prospered the work, those in that place should give of their
means to help His servants who have been sent to new fields.
Wherever the work has been established on a good foundation,
the believers should feel themselves under obligation to help
those in need, by transferring even at great sacrifice, a portion
or all of the means which in former years was invested in behalf
of the work in their locality. Thus the Lord designs that His
work shall increase. This is the law of restitution in right
lines.