A Call To Workers Amongst The Young

by John Macdonald | Category: General | Jan 1943

I write as one who has been engaged in this important service for over twenty years.

God has committed to our care, for training in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, a number of boys and girls, some very young and others older. We are praying and working that they may become children of God, and eventually find a place in His house. To this end we are working along certain well defined lines. We meet with the young regularly on Lord's days, in one or more meetings; and in recent years, particularly during the winter months, in many places mid-week meetings for the young are held. We thank God for the interest the children have manifested in these gatherings. If we cannot claim abundant fruit, we can and do rejoice in the measure of blessing God has granted us.

In these days a great change has taken place, and earnest workers are alarmed at the trend of things. Facts are foreboding, dangers appear on every hand. Sinister influences are gripping the young, and despite the most determined efforts of workers who do not spare themselves, it may be we are losing ground, even although attendances at our children's meetings are increased.

The powers of darkness have a firm hold on the youth to-day, and the hand of the mighty adversary is only too evident on every side. Satan is after the young, as we are, and he certainly does not limit his work to two or three hours each week. The spirit that has been seen amongst adults for some years is now seen amongst the young. Unbelief holds sway. There are youth movements on every side-Church of England, Roman Catholic Church, Church of Scotland, and a host of secular clubs, guilds and organisations-all striving strongly for the body, mind and soul of lads and maidens. The State too has entered the lists, drawing young people with the glamour of a uniform and the call of service for the country, thus adding tenfold to the difficulties of our work. Men in high place tell us that a new order of things is coming. A certain well-known man, called by the world a bishop, at a large gathering recently said, " We are facing a new order and must conform our doctrine to the thoughts of youth." As guided by the Word of God we know that its teaching does not change with the times, but as he who would win souls must be wise it becomes us to seek unto God for that heavenly wisdom which is needed for our service in present changing conditions. We are emerging to the age of speed; men are sacrificing everything to speed; their pleasures and indeed their minds are taking on a streamlined c6mplexion. The loud blast of the radio, fast travel by plane and auto, and glorification of the body (in physical exercises) leave no time for the -claims of God. Truly the gods of ancient Greece and Rome are being worshipped again.

Beloved we dare not face such a situation in our own strength. Let us get on our knees and seek the living, burning energy of the Spirit within us. The vital1 need in the present menacing circumstances is an aggressive attitude by Spirit-filled workers to reach and hold the young. It is at least true in a measure that the future of the Fellowship is with us, under the hand of God. We must have young in the Churches of God if we are to survive, and our cry should be the cry of Rachel, " Give me children or else I die." It is a matter of life or death, and the road will not be easy.

"No easy hope shall bring us to our goal, But iron sacrifice of body, will and soul."

If we fail or falter we shall be unworthy of the gracious heritage handed to us by our fathers, and "Ichabod" may well be written over our generation. Let us be strong then and do exploits, and with our faces toward God, and our arms round our little charges, let us in the Name of the Lord fulfil our commission.

John Macdonald | Jan 1943
General