The Great Controversy The Great Controversy | Page 72

was to serve three years in some mission field before taking charge of
a church at home. This service, requiring at the outset self-denial and
sacrifice, was a fitting introduction to the pastor’s life in those times that
tried men’s souls. The youth who received ordination to the sacred office
saw before them, not the prospect of earthly wealth and glory, but a life
of toil and danger, and possibly a martyr’s fate. The missionaries went
out two and two, as Jesus sent forth His disciples. With each young
man was usually associated a man of age and experience, the youth
being under the guidance of his companion, who was held responsible
for his training, and whose instruction he was required to heed. These
colaborers were not always together, but often met for prayer and
counsel, thus strengthening each other in the faith.
To have made known the object of their mission would have ensured
its defeat; therefore they carefully concealed their real character. Every
minister possessed a knowledge of some trade or profession, and the
missionaries prosecuted their work under cover of a secular calling.
Usually they chose that of merchant or peddler. “They carried silks,
jewelry, and other articles, at that time not easily purchasable save at
distant marts; and they were welcomed as merchants where they would
have been spurned as missionaries.”—Wylie, b. 1, ch. 7. All the while
their hearts were uplifted to God for wisdom to present a treasure more
precious than gold or gems. They secretly carried about with them
copies of the Bible, in whole or in part; and whenever an opportunity
was presented, they called the attention of their customers to these
manuscripts. Often an interest to read God’s word was thus awakened,
and some portion was gladly left with those who desired to receive it.
The work of these missionaries began in the plains and valleys at
the foot of their own mountains, but it extended far beyond these limits.
With naked feet and in garments coarse and travel-stained as were those
of their Master,

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