When God extends His work

“The harvest is great and the workmen are few; supplicate therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he send forth workmen unto his harvest” (Mt 9,37-38).

It is a great privilege when the Lord allows us to see His work to be extended. A missionary to Japan who served the Lord with great devotedness and faithfulness made this experience about 100 years ago as the following words make clear:

When God asked Charles Cowman to go to Korea for Him, he said, “It is part of the original contract to do the will of God as far as He shall make it known, and I accept this new requirement.”

It was not undertaken without very much prayer. Indeed, it never would have been undertaken apart from a feeling of divine constraint. A burden of this character is not lightly assumed by a man whose hands are already full.

The call came at a time when there was not a dollar in the mission treasury for the opening up of such a new and extended work, but he was fully assured that God was able to care for the work in both countries, that His resources were equal to the new demand, and in this faith it was undertaken.

To how many places we come in life where there is nothing to be done but to go forward! There are times when we especially need God-given wisdom to see the guiding hand of God, How faithfully Charles Cowman followed the Lord when His way was made plain to him!

The word so definitely given to him for Korea is found in Haggai, “Build the house; and I will take pleasure in it, and I will be glorified, saith the Lord.” “Be strong and work, for I am with you.” “Fear thou not.” “The glory of this latter house shall be greater than the former, and in this place will I give peace.”

God wonderfully worked in behalf of Korea! A missionary was needed for this new undertaking and He laid His Hand upon two choice souls over in England, John and Emily Thomas, and sent them out to Korea to take charge of the new work.