Matthew 9:38

Dr. John Timothy Stone tells of a visit which he paid to the old church of Robert Murray McCheyne. The aged sexton showed him around. Taking Dr. Stone into the study, he pointed to a chair and said, “Sit there; that is where the master used to sit.” Then he said, “Now put your elbows on the table.” This was done. “Now bow your head upon your hands.” Dr. Stone did so. “Now let the tears flow; that is the way the master used to do.”

The visitor was then taken up into the pulpit, and the old sexton said, “Stand there behind the pulpit.” Dr. Stone obeyed. “Now,” said the sexton, “lean your elbows on the pulpit and put your face in your hands.” This having been done, he said, “Now let the tears flow; that is the way the master used to do.”

The key to the missionary problem is in the hand of God, and that key is prayer not work, that is, not work as the word is popularly understood today because that may mean the evasion of concentration on God.

The key to the missionary problem is not the key of common sense, nor the medical key, nor the key of civilization or education or even evangelization.