Perspective by Bill Wood, NAD Camp Coordinator
My mother was one of the original Master Comrades. She was invested in Brooklyn, New York and as I understand it, helped start one of the very first Master Comrade club.
When I was just a young boy she gave me her original Master Guide Manual which I still have today. It was prepared by C. Lester Bond, one of the first pioneer youth leaders of the SDA church. I have used this manual at times when I have conducted Master Guide Investiture services at various locations. It is fun to go through this ancient manual. I noticed just recently that I have all the requirements for the Beginners Swimming checked off.
I also have in my library some books and Bibles that my grandfather used when he was a pastor. It is also sobering to go through those books as I have from time to time to see what he felt was important as he unlined passages and scripture. It is fun to look back in one’s family history to try to get some idea of what motivated them. That is why we have museums, to look back and also to look forward.
There is much in scripture that reminds us not to forget how God has led us in the past. One of the stories that we remember most is what Moses said to Israel at the end of his leadership.
In his final address to the Israelites, shortly before his death, he repeatedly urged them to preserve their history. They were to “be careful and watch yourselves so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart”; (Deut. 4:9, 23, 6:12, NIV, emphases supplied). Nor was this a task only for the generation that had experienced miracles at the Red Sea and in Sinai, for Moses also enjoined the Israelites: “Teach [these stories] to your children and to their children after them.” (Deut. 4:9.) It is striking that Moses portrays remembrance as something that requires care—it takes effort; and it must be passed on to the next generation.
And so it is with us that we provide the Adventist Youth Ministries Museum to remind our youth how God has lead in Youth Ministries. Let us never forget how God has led the great youth movement of the Seventh-day Adventist church.
