A Rejected Candidate
                                                                                    

  The Faculty of Konigsberg refused Stephen Schulz (1724-1776) on his application for mission work among the Jews whereupon he wrote them this letter:

I owe you obedience as fathers. If, therefore, you command that I decline the call to missionary work among the Jews, I can decline it with a clear conscience.However, I must say this-should God ask me on the Day of judgment-

(1) 'Have I not given thee from infancy a desire to shew to the Jews the way of Salvation?' I would have to answer, 'Yea, Lord.'

(2) 'Have I not proved three years ago, during the trial trip, that I have given thee ability to labour?' I would say, 'Yea, Lord.'

(3) 'Have I not shown that the harvest among the Jews is great, but the labourers are few?' I would say again, 'Yea, Lord.'

(4) 'Have I not taught thee on that trial trip that the way was opened among the Jews for thee, and that in further travels and with greater experience thou couldest have still better access to them?' Again I would answer, 'Yea, Lord.'

(5)And when at last the Lord should ask me, 'Why didst thou not follow the call when it came?' I would leave the answer to the honorable Theological Faculty."

The Faculty sent Schulz to the Jews. How could they do otherwise? He became a second Paul in respect of travel and suffering, compassing thousands of miles. The call, once heard, is the call of God; and, WHEN FORTIFIED BY SUCH CONFIRMATIONS AS SCHULZ COULD ADDUCE, it is the irresistible summons of the Most High.

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