An official of a mission board, who knew it takes more than just desire to make a missionary, was appointed to examine a candidate for the mission field.
He told the young man to be at his house at six o'clock in the morning.
The young man complied and arrived at six o'clock sharp. The examiner kept him sitting alone in the room until ten.
Then he finally came in and said abruptly, "Young man, can you write your name?”
A little taken aback by the simplicity of his question, the man paused. Before he could get a word out, the examiner blurted, "What, you don't know what it is?"
The mission board official put him through a series of questions of that nature and then went to report to the mission board.
"Okay," he said, "he will do. I tried his patience for hours and hours and he did not break down. Then I insulted him and he did not lose his temper. This candidate answered with patience, fortitude, and gentleness. His faith was vindicated by the very quality of his character. He will make a good missionary."
Whether we realize it or not, we all are in the mission field...
