“And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God. And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house. And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”
– Luke 9:57-62
Again and again I am instructed to present to our churches the work that should be done in our large cities. There is a great work to be done, not only where we have churches already established, but also in places where the truth has never been fully presented. Right in our midst there are heathen as verily as in far-off lands. (1)
Why should we delay to begin work in our cities? We are not to wait for some wonderful thing to be done, or some costly apparatus to be provided, in order that a great display may be made.…
Why delay the endeavor to make the world better? However humble our sphere, however lowly our work, if we walk in harmony with our Saviour, He will reveal Himself through us, and our influence will draw souls to Him. He will honor the meek and lowly ones, who earnestly seek to do service for Him in the daily life. Into all that we do, whether we work in the shop, on the farm, or in the office, let us bring the endeavor to save souls. (2)
Mission work should be done in all our large cities. There is special talent among us for this line of labor, and this talent should be educated and trained. (1)
Let not unbelief come in; for God’s work is to go from city to city, from country to country. The plans of the enemies of God may be laid to defeat his work; but have faith that Jehovah will remove all obstructions to its progress. Talk faith, work in faith, and advance in faith. Obstacles will be removed as we lay hold of the promises of God. Let the Lord’s people go forward, and their hearts will be made strong. (3)
Charge for the Day: Cherish the promise: “Talk faith, work in faith, and advance in faith. Obstacles will be removed as we lay hold of the promises of God. Let the Lord’s people go forward, and their hearts will be made strong.” (3)
1. Manuscript 7, 1908
2. Letter 335, 1904
3. The Review and Herald, November 17, 1910