The strength of an army is measured largely
by the efficiency of the men in the ranks. A wise general instructs
his officers to train every soldier for active service. He seeks
to develop the highest efficiency on the part of all. If he were
to depend on his officers alone he could never expect to conduct
a successful campaign. He counts on loyal and untiring service
from every man in his army. The responsibility rests largely
upon the men in the ranks.
And so it is in the army of Prince Immanuel.
Our General, who has never lost a battle, expects willing, faithful
service from everyone who has enlisted under His banner. In the
closing controversy now waging between the forces for good and
the hosts of evil He expects all, laymen as well as ministers,
to take part. All who have enlisted as His soldiers are to render
faithful service as minutemen, with a keen sense of the responsibility
resting upon them individually.
Those who have the spiritual oversight
of the church should devise ways and means by which an opportunity
may be given to every member of the church to act some part in
God's work. Too often in the past this has not been done. Plans
have not been clearly laid and fully carried out whereby the
talents of all might be employed in active service. There are
but few who realize how much has been lost because of this.
The leaders in God's cause, as wise generals,
are to lay plans for advance moves all along the line. In their
planning they are to give special study to the work that
can be done by the laity for their friends
and neighbors. The work of God in this earth can never be finished
until the men and women comprising our church membership rally
to the work and unite their efforts with those of ministers and
church officers.
The salvation of sinners requires earnest,
personal labor. We are to bear to them the word of life, not
to wait for them to come to us. Oh, that I could speak words
to men and women that would arouse them to diligent action! The
moments now granted to us are few. We are standing upon the very
borders of the eternal world. We have no time to lose. Every
moment is golden and altogether too precious to be devoted merely
to self-serving. Who will seek God earnestly and from Him draw
strength and grace to be His faithful workers in the missionary
field?