26
my nose to the crack and take a real
breath now and then.
Every home in every village of Alaska,
except Nome and the Aleutian Islands,
had been visited by our colporteur ministry.
As each home was entered, a new coal
was added to the already burning desire
to more fully bring the third angels
message to these souls. Up to this time there
had been no full-time native worker. Elder
Wood, superintendent of the Alaska Mis-
sion, deeply burdened for these people,
called us to come, It was with a full heart
and a knowledge of a people greatly in
need of physical and spiritval help that
my husband and I climbed the ladder to
the rain-drenched dock of a village of two
hundred fifty inhabitants, with native and
white population about equal. Scarcely had
we finished carting our baggage over the
hill to our new home when the commis-
sioner invited us to attend the town council
called especially to appoint me as the town
nurse. We assured them that we were there
to aid each need, physical or spiritual.
One of our greatest privileges was to
lend physical aid to a very aged Indian
man, He did not know how old he was.
His arms shook continuously, and he be-
lieved that another native of a near-by
village had bewitched him. This caused
him much pain mentally. He lived alone on
the beach in a stuffy, damp, cold house,
eating only what the community set by
his bedside. On Sabbath our little company
would take him food and then sing, pray,
and read to him. The odor of his room was
so offensive that the commissioner had to
leave the room three times because of
severe attacks of nausea while inquiring
after his needs. During the cold winter
months he became so ill he could not get
out of bed. It was clearly seen that in this
accumulation of filth and helplessness he
would not live long. The Lord burdened our
hearts to share our home with him. The
coal dust had caked on his body for several
years, so it tock many daily medicated
baths to remove dirt and odor. He was
shaved, given a haircut, and three-quarter-
inch toenails were removed with a hack
saw. Meals were served him regularly.
How he changed as Mr. Emery studied the
Bible with him! He believed the Sabbath
truth and rejoiced in singing hymns of
praise. He is now receiving hospitaliza-
tion. As he was placed in the plane to go
to the hospital, he said, “I never wanred
to fly in that big bird. I rather row my
canoe over.” Qur last visit found him
happy and firmly trusting in Jesus.
The medical missionary work is ever
onward and God is continually opening
up hearts to receive the light of truth by
the right arm of His message.
—MRS. S. H. EMERY.
THE CHURCH OFFICERS’ GAZETTE
Training the Laity
In discussing the subject, “Training the
Laity,” it might be well to consider four
main points. First, reasons for training the
laity; second, branches of service in which
the laity should be trained; third, persons
responsible for the training; aad fourth,
results to be expected from such training
The reason for the existence of the Home
Missionary Department is synonymous with
the one for training the laity. “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 effotts with those of ministers
and church officers.” —Testimonies, Vol. 9,
p 117.
Divine commands from our Saviour sup-
ply another reason why lay members should
be trained. “Go ye into all the world, and
preach the gospel to every creature. . .
Lay hands on the sick, and they shall re-
cover.” Mark 16:15, 18. "Go ye therefore,
and teach all nations, baptizing them in the
name of the Father, and of the Son, and of
the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe
all things whatsoever I have commanded
you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even
unto the end of the world.” Matthew 28:19,
20. We are told that “the commission given
to the disciples is given also to us. Today,
as then, a crucified and risen Saviour is to
be uplifted before those who are without
God and without hope in the world. . . .
From door to door His servants are to
proclaim the message of salvation.” —Gospel
Workers, p. 29.
There ate many shut-ins who need a
pleasant visit, many orphans who need the
human touch to let them know someone
cares, lonely prisoners who need to know
of the love of Jesus, many who have learned
of the Advent message through the Bible
Correspondence School or literature left by
colporteurs, who will never receive the at-
tention they need unless the laymen give
it. Because the need is so urgent and so
great, the laity should be trained,
There are many branches of service in
which the laymen can be of use. “Every
church should be a training school for
Christian workers. Its members should be
taught [11 how to give Bible readings,
[2] how to conduct and teach Sabbath-
school classes, {31 how best to help the
poor and to care for the sick, [4] how to
work for the unconverted.”-—Ministry of
Healing, p. 149. "There are ways in which
all may do personal service for God. Some
December, 1949
can write a letter to a far-off friend, or
send a paper to one who is inquiring for
truth. Others can give counsel to those who
are in difficulty. Those who know how to
treat the sick can help in this line. Others
who have the necessary qualifications can
give Bible readings or conduct Bible
classes,” —T estimonies, Vol. 6, p. 433,
Dorcas members can do a marvelous job
of administering to the needs of the un-
fortunate of the neighborhood and to war-
torn countries overseas, Those already
trained in the making of garments and
preparing nutritious meals should give of
their time and talent to help others to
learn, that they, too, may be of service to
the poor and unfortunate,
Bands should be formed, with able
leaders taking the initiative. These bands
should be small, so that leaders can as-
certain the ability of each member and
utilize his efforts. We are told that the
training course for the laymen should be
exceedingly simple, in order to meet the
needs of all classes, and must include in its
scope the necessary instruction covering
every phase of the evangelistic work of the
local church. The course that may be given
with good results in the churches is out-
lined as follows:
1. Church officers’ training-—duties and
responsibilities.
2. Laymen’s Bible work-—instruction in
giving simple Bible Studies.
3. Medical missionary and Christian help
work,
4. Circulation of the printed page in
personal service.
5. Home-foreign  wotk—methods of
evangelism among foreigners in this coun-
try.
6. Dotcas work——instruction in making
clothes for needy, quilts, etc.
To whom is delegated the task of train-
ing the laity for service? This task must be
undertaken by the missionary committee of
the church, which is composed of members
of the church board. "The mobilization of
our lay membership for the finishing of the
work and the completion of the missionary
organization of our churches calls for a force
of officers who will bear the responsibilities
of missionary leadership.’~—Laymen’s Mis-
sionary Movement, p. 84.
The officers themselves must first be
trained and given opportunity to become
familiar with their duties. This can be ac-
complished by church officers’ institutes
which may be held over week ends for