EVANGELISM
__________ by __________
ELLEN G. WHITE
Copyright © 1946, 1973, 2002 by The Ellen G. White Publications International copyright secured
Cover design copyright © 2002 by Review and Herald® Publishing Association Cover designed by Willie Duke Cover illustration by Lee Christiansen Type: 12.6/13.5 Bembo
Printed in U.S.A.
ISBN 0-8280-1635-6
Preface vangelism is the very heart of Christianity. It is the theme of primary importance to those called to herald God’s last warning message to the world. We are in time’s closing hours, and the advent message, designed to make ready a people prepared for our Lord’s return, must swell to a loud cry. It must reach the uttermost parts of the earth. Since the early days of the work of Seventh-day Adventists, the Spirit of prophecy instruction on the principles and practice of soul winning has guided in an expanding work. Some phases of evangelism have been delineated in nearly all the Ellen G. White books. Also, in the Review and Herald, Signs of the Times, and other journals, articles from the Lord’s messenger have given impetus to a growing evangelistic ministry. Individual evangelists, too, from time to time, were given personal instruction and warning regarding methods that should characterize their work. Occasionally Mrs. White addressed groups of evangelists and denominational administrators, and these messages also embodied much helpful counsel. But these periodical articles, special testimonies, personal counsels, and addresses are not generally available today. It is to make this full body of timely instruction accessible to our present, greatly enlarged, Seventh-day Adventist evangelistic force that this comprehensive, topically arranged compilation has been prepared.
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This volume not only sets forth the well-established guiding principles that should mold the work of evangelists and Bible instructors, it also presents a wealth of minute counsel regarding the application of those principles. As a compilation of the inspired instruction that the Lord has given, it is a veritable handbook of evangelism for the advent movement. In bringing together and arranging in logical order many statements from various sources, the compilers found that certain general lines of instruction were repeatedly set forth. In the effort to place before the reader all that contributed to the subject, without presenting undue repetition, only the most relevant paragraphs or groups of paragraphs were selected. In some cases repetitious sentences were dropped from even the brief excerpts used, but in each case the deletion is indicated. Great care has been exercised to present statements of sufficient length to give the correct setting for the counsel. As an aid in making ready reference to the key statements in this volume, side headings in bold type have been supplied by the compilers. A source credit and date appear at the close of each excerpt. For manuscript quotations, the date is the date of writing; for other sources, it is the date of publication. A knowledge of the time when the counsel was given sometimes serves as a helpful guide for applying the principles, because evangelism must be conducted under changing conditions. In some instances it may not be possible to employ in minute detail methods advocated in earlier years, but the basic principles enunciated or illustrated will still be a guide to safe and fruitful methods. Principles are changeless, though their application may call for an adjustment and adaptation to meet differing conditions. For example, the reader will find frequent mention of the camp meeting, and counsel as to its conduct. In the 1870s Seventh-day Adventist camp meetings attracted a very large
non-Adventist week-end attendance, congregations ranging from half non-Adventists to the unusual ratio of fifteen nonAdventists to one church member. In the 1890s very successful evangelistic camp meetings that were held in the suburbs of major cities lasted from two weeks to a month. Such meetings had large soul-winning potential. Many statements commending such meetings and giving instruction regarding their successful conduct were penned through those years. But times have changed; the camp meeting has become a gathering almost exclusively for an enlarging church membership. The non-Adventist throngs that were attracted in earlier years by camp meetings are now reached more effectively in other ways. Nevertheless, the principles guiding to successful methods in the evangelistic camp meeting may well lead to fruitful methods in present-day evangelism. The instruction in this book is restricted almost entirely to the evangelistic work of ministers and Bible instructors. The voluminous counsel in regard to literature and lay evangelism, set forth in other E. G. White productions, is not repeated because of space limitations. Likewise, medical evangelism, treated in The Ministry of Healing, Medical Ministry, and Counsels on Health, is not dwelt upon except as it relates to the public presentation of the message. Much more might be included on the qualifications of evangelists, but the quotations on this topic are here limited to such points as have a direct bearing on their special work. We believe that this volume contains constructive, up-todate counsel, timely cautions, and views of the triumph of the message that will guide Adventist evangelism until it reaches its glorious climax under the loud cry of the third angel. The Trustees of the Ellen G. White Publications August 15, 2001
Contents CHAPTER 1 THE CHALLENGE TO EVANGELISM Proclaiming the Message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ever-widening Influence of the Gospel . . . . . . . . . . . The Need of Evangelistic Workers . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
15 19 21
CHAPTER 2 THE METROPOLITAN MASSES In the Shadow of Impending Doom . . . . . . . Increasing Difficulties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Call for a Speedy Work . . . . . . . . . . . . Special Opportunities for Evangelism . . . . . . Surveying the Needs of the Large Cities . . . . Problems Peculiar to Metropolitan Evangelism The Promise of an Abundant Harvest . . . . . .
25 30 33 35 36 38 43
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CHAPTER 3 SMALLER COMMUNITIES AND RURAL AREAS The Highways and Byways . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Rural Workers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 CHAPTER 4 PLANNING FOR THE PUBLIC CAMPAIGN Patterning After the Master Evangelist . . . . . . . . . . . . Planning an Expanding Evangelism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Moving Forward by Faith . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Evangelism of the Highest Type . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Evangelist and His Team . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Advantages of Two and Two . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Evangelistic Site . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Outpost Centers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Planning Sectional and Suburban Meetings . . . . . . . . Planning for a Permanent Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
53 59 61 66 69 72 74 76 78 79
Finance and the Budget . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Business Management of the Campaign . . . . . . .
85 91
CHAPTER 5 ORGANIZING FOR EVANGELISTIC MEETINGS Methods and Organization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93 The Evangelistic Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96 Importance of Prayerful Counseling . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97 Unity in Diversity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98 Allowing for More Than One Man’s Method . . . . . . 103 The City Field Training School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107 Reviving and Organizing the Church for Service . . . . 110 Relationship of Evangelist and Pastor . . . . . . . . . . . . 116 Guarding Against Overorganization . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116 CHAPTER 6 THE PUBLIC EFFORT Our Present Truth Message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Arresting Public Attention . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Successful and Impressive Advertising Methods . . . . . The Evangelist in Publicity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Avoiding Display and the Sensational . . . . . . . . . . . . Guarding Proper Approaches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Platform Decorum, Announcements, and Preliminaries Interest-holding Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Inquiry and Question Meetings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Getting Acquainted With the People . . . . . . . . . . . . Printed Sermons and Literature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Debate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
119 122 128 131 136 139 145 148 151 156 159 162
CHAPTER 7 THE MESSAGE AND ITS PRESENTATION Spirit and Manner of Presenting the Message . . . . . . The Evangelistic Sermon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Christ the Center of the Message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Prophetic Preaching That Arrests Attention . . . . . . . Restraining Without Obscuring Truth . . . . . . . . . . Truth-Teaching Devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Stories, Anecdotes, Jesting, and Joking . . . . . . . . . .
168 174 184 193 199 203 206
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False Tests and Man-made Standards . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211 CHAPTER 8 PREACHING THE DISTINCTIVE Heralding the Second Advent . . . . . . . . . The Sanctuary Truth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Presenting the Law and the Sabbath . . . . . Meeting Sabbathkeeping Problems . . . . . . Preaching on Nonimmortality . . . . . . . . . The Message of Christian Stewardship . . . . Presentation of the Spirit of Prophecy . . . . Presenting Health and Christian Standards . The Ordinances . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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217 221 225 237 246 249 255 260 273
CHAPTER 9 CLINCHING THE INTEREST Preaching for the Final Decision . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Appeals and Altar Calls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Helping Souls to Be Converted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gathering In the Interested . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Methods of Clinching Decisions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Meeting Prejudice and Opposition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Baptism and Church Membership . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Binding Off Thoroughly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Length of Effort and Closing the Campaign . . . . . . . . Determining the Success of Meetings . . . . . . . . . . . .
279 283 286 292 295 301 306 321 326 328
CHAPTER 10 ESTABLISHING AND HOLDING NEW CONVERTS Follow-up Methods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 334 Integrating New Believers Into the Church . . . . . . . . 340 Pastoral Evangelism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 345 Responsibility of Spiritual Laymen to New Converts . 351 Helping New Believers to Win Souls . . . . . . . . . . . . 353 Guarding New Members Against Error and Fanaticism 357 Reclaiming Backsliders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 367 Rebaptism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 372 Providing Church Buildings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 375 On to New Fields . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 381
CHAPTER 11 THE WORK IN THE LARGE AMERICAN CITIES New York . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 384 Boston and New England . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 389 Cities of the East and South . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 394 Cities of the Central States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 402 The Western Cities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403 CHAPTER 12
HERALDING
THE MESSAGE IN OTHER CONTINENTS Sounding the Message in Europe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . England and Its Cities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Cities of Northern Europe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . In Southern Europe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Working the Australasian Cities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
CHAPTER 13 PERSONAL WORK The Need for Personal Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . House-to-House Visitation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Winning Families . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Evangelistic Visiting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ministers Giving Bible Readings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Learning the Art of Personal Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Prejudice Broken Down . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Working for the Aged . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ellen G. White’s Experience and Methods as a Personal Worker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CHAPTER 14 THE BIBLE INSTRUCTOR Bible Teaching the Objective . . . . . . . . . . . . Personal Workers and Wise Counselors . . . . . Searching for the Lost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Women in Evangelism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Both Men and Women Called to Bible Work The Gospel Visitor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Women in Public Ministry . . . . . . . . . . . . . Training and Background . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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407 414 419 423 425 429 431 435 437 439 442 445 446 447 456 458 461 464 469 470 471 474
Bible Instructor’s Qualifications . . . . . Bible Work Techniques . . . . . . . . . . . Lessons From the Master Teacher . . . . Results of Bible Work . . . . . . . . . . . . Adequate Wages for Women Workers Cautions to the Bible Instructor . . . . .
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477 481 486 488 491 493
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496 500 504 507 508 510
CHAPTER 16 MEDICAL EVANGELISM An Entering Wedge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The True Objective of Medical Evangelism . . . . . . . Relationship to Gospel Ministry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Simplicity of Method . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . An Antitobacco and Temperance Message . . . . . . . . Medical Evangelism in the Cities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Institutional Evangelism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Consecrated Physician and the Missionary Nurse The Balancing Cautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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513 516 519 524 529 532 536 543 547
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552 554 562 564 566 568 573 577 579
CHAPTER 15 SONG EVANGELISM The Ministry of Song . . . . . . . . . . Music and Evangelism . . . . . . . . . . The Singing Evangelist . . . . . . . . . Emphasis in Congregational Singing The Music Personnel . . . . . . . . . . Timely Cautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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CHAPTER 17 LABORING FOR SPECIAL CLASSES Working for All Classes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Reaching Men of Means and Influence . . . . . . Ministers of Other Denominations . . . . . . . . . Laboring for the Middle Class . . . . . . . . . . . . Working for Fallen Humanity . . . . . . . . . . . . The Stranger in Our Midst . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Reaching Catholics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A Large Harvest From the Jews . . . . . . . . . . . Child Evangelism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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Those in the Tourist Centers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 584 The Street Meeting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 586 CHAPTER 18
DEALING WITH FALSE SCIENCE, CULTS, ISMS, AND SECRET SOCIETIES Satan Gains Foothold Through False Doctrines . . . . . Miracles Not a Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . False Sanctification and Holiness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pantheistic and Spiritualistic Theories . . . . . . . . . . . . Various Forms of Spiritualism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Fanaticism and Extremism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Misrepresentations of the Godhead . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Secret Societies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Combating Erroneous Teaching . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
589 594 595 600 502 610 613 617 623
CHAPTER 19 THE WORKER AND HIS QUALIFICATIONS The Spirit of the Ministry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Graces of Culture and Kindness . . . . . . . . . . . . . Application to the Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Concentrating on the Main Task . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Health and Health Principles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Voice of the Gospel Worker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Personal Appearance of the Evangelist . . . . . . . . . . . . The Evangelist’s Wife . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Maintaining a High Moral Standard . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Internship Period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Calls to the Transfers of the Evangelistic Worker . . . .
628 636 644 655 657 665 670 674 678 682 687
CHAPTER 20 THE MESSAGE TRIUMPHANT When the Loud Cry Sounds . . . . . . . . . . The Reason for the Delay . . . . . . . . . . . . Power for Finishing the Work . . . . . . . . . Present Hour of Opportunity . . . . . . . . . . Speedy Triumphant Climax . . . . . . . . . . .
692 694 697 701 706
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INDEX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
708
CHAPTER 1
THE CHALLENGE TO EVANGELISM PROCLAIMING THE MESSAGE Christ’s Teaching Commission. Christ’s last words to His disciples were: “Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations.” Go to the farthest bounds of the habitable globe, and know that wherever you go My presence will attend you. . . . To us also the commission is given. We are bidden to go forth as Christ’s messengers, to teach, instruct, and persuade men and women, to urge upon their attention the word of life. And to us also the assurance of Christ’s abiding presence is given. Whatever the difficulties with which we may have to contend, whatever the trials we may have to endure, the gracious promise is always ours, “Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” Manuscript 24, 1903. The Message a Living Force. In the commission to His disciples, Christ not only outlined their work but gave them their message. Teach the people, He said, “to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you.” The disciples were to teach what Christ had taught. That which He had spoken, not only in person, but through all the prophets and teachers of the Old Testament, is here included. Human teaching is shut out. There is no place for tradition, for man’s theories and conclusions, or for church legislation. No laws ordained by ecclesiastical authority are 15
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included in the commission. None of these are Christ’s servants to teach. “The law and the prophets,” with the record of His own words and deeds, are the treasure committed to the disciples to be given to the world. . . . The gospel is to be presented, not as a lifeless theory, but as a living force to change the life. God desires that the receivers of His grace shall be witnesses to its power. The Desire of Ages, p. 826 (1898). The Church Entrusted With the Message. We are now living in the closing scenes of this world’s history. Let men tremble with the sense of the responsibility of knowing the truth. The ends of the world are come. Proper consideration of these things will lead all to make an entire consecration of all that they have and are to their God. . . . The weighty obligation of warning a world of its coming doom is upon us. From every direction, far and near, calls are coming to us for help. The church, devotedly consecrated to the work, is to carry the message to the world: Come to the gospel feast; the supper is prepared, come. . . . Crowns, immortal crowns, are to be won. The kingdom of heaven is to be gained. A world, perishing in sin, is to be enlightened. The lost pearl is to be found. The lost sheep is to be brought back in safety to the fold. Who will join in the search? Who will bear the light to those who are wandering in the darkness of error? Review and Herald, July 23, 1895. The Present Crisis. We should now feel the responsibility of laboring with intense earnestness to impart to others the truths that God has given for this time. We cannot be too much in earnest. . . . Now is the time for the last warning to be given. There is a special power in the presentation of the
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truth at the present time; but how long will it continue?— Only a little while. If there was ever a crisis, it is now. All are now deciding their eternal destiny. Men need to be aroused to realize the solemnity of the time, the nearness of the day when human probation shall be ended. Decided efforts should be made to bring the message for this time prominently before the people. The third angel is to go forth with great power. Testimonies, vol. 6, p. 16 (1900). Evangelism Our Real Work. Evangelistic work, opening the Scriptures to others, warning men and women of what is coming upon the world, is to occupy more and still more of the time of God’s servants. Review and Herald, Aug. 2, 1906. Speeding the Message. As a people we greatly need to humble our hearts before God, pleading His forgiveness for our neglect to fulfill the gospel commission. We have made large centers in a few places, leaving unworked many important cities. Let us now take up the work appointed us, and proclaim the message that is to arouse men and women to a sense of their danger. If every Seventh-day Adventist had done the work laid upon him, the number of believers would now be much larger than it is. Testimonies, vol. 9, p. 25 (1909). The Call for Earnest Work. If our ministers realized how soon the inhabitants of the world are to be arraigned before the judgment seat of God, to answer for the deeds done in the body, how earnestly they would work together with God to present the truth! How earnestly they would strive to lead men to accept the truth. How untiringly they would labor to advance God’s cause in the world, proclaiming in word
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and deed, “The end of all things is at hand.” Letter 43, 1902. Amid Confusion of Last Days. The words of Jesus Christ are spoken to us living down here in the close of this earth’s history. “When these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.” The nations are in unrest. Times of perplexity are upon us. The waves of the sea are roaring; men’s hearts are failing them for fear and for expectation of those things that are coming upon the earth; but those who believe on the Son of God will hear His voice amid the storm, saying, “It is I; be not afraid.” . . . We see the world lying in wickedness and apostasy. Rebellion to the commandments of God seems almost universal. Amid the tumult of excitement with confusion in every place, there is a work to be done in the world. Manuscript 44, 1900. Planting the Standard in Dark Places. Satan’s armies are many, and God’s people must spread over all the world, planting the standard of truth in the dark places of the earth and doing their utmost to destroy Satan’s kingdom. Letter 91, 1900. The Highest, Greatest Work. The Lord designs that the presentation of this message shall be the highest, greatest work carried on in the world at this time. Testimonies, vol. 6, p. 11 (1900). More Rapid Advancement. In this country and in foreign countries the cause of present truth is to make more rapid advancement than it has yet made. If our people will go forth in faith, doing whatever they can to make a beginning, and laboring in Christ’s lines, the way will be opened before them. If they will show the energy that is necessary in order to gain
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success, and the faith that goes forward unquestioningly in obedience to God’s command, rich returns will be theirs. They must go as far and as fast as possible, with a determination to do the very things that the Lord has said should be done. They must have push and earnest, unwavering faith. . . . The world must hear the warning message. Manuscript 162, 1905.
EVER-WIDENING INFLUENCE
OF THE
GOSPEL
Belting the Earth. Everywhere the light of truth is to shine forth, that hearts now in the sleep of ignorance may be awakened and converted. In all countries and cities the gospel is to be proclaimed. . . . Churches are to be organized and plans laid for work to be done by the members of the newly organized churches. This gospel missionary work is to keep reaching out and annexing new territory, enlarging the cultivated portions of the vineyard. The circle is to extend until it belts the world. Letter 86, 1902. North, South, East, and West. From town to town, from city to city, from country to country, the warning message is to be proclaimed, not with outward display, but in the power of the Spirit, by men of faith. And it is necessary that the best kind of labor be given. The time has come, the important time, when, through God’s messengers, the scroll is being unrolled to the world. The truth comprised in the first, second, and third angels’ messages must go to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people; it must lighten the darkness of every continent and extend to the islands of the sea. . . . Let there be the wisest planning for the success of the work. Decided efforts should be made to open
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new fields in the north, the south, the east, and the west. . . . The fact that the presentation of the truth has been so long neglected should appeal to our ministers and workers to enter these fields and not give up the work until they have clearly given the message. Manuscript 11, 1908. Unchecked by Barriers or Obstacles. Truth, passing by those who despise and reject it, will triumph. Although at times apparently retarded, its progress had never been checked. When the message of God meets with opposition, He gives it additional force, that it may exert greater influence. Endowed with divine energy, it will cut its way through the strongest barriers, and triumph over every obstacle. The Acts of the Apostles, p. 601 (1911). A Substantial Work. The work that the gospel embraces as missionary work is a straightforward, substantial work which will shine brighter and brighter unto the perfect day. Letter 215b, 1899. An Influence That Deepens and Widens. The influence of these messages has been deepening and widening, setting in motion the springs of action in thousands of hearts, bringing into existence institutions of learning, publishing houses, and health institutions; all these are the instrumentalities of God to cooperate in the grand work represented by the first, second, and third angels flying in the midst of heaven to warn the inhabitants of the world that Christ is coming again with power and great glory. Review and Herald, Dec. 6, 1892. Proclaim Message in New Fields. We have a most solemn, testing message to give to the world. But too much time has been given to those who already know the truth. In the place of spending time on those
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who have been given many opportunities to learn the truth, go to the people who have never heard your message. Hold your camp meetings* in cities where the truth has not been proclaimed. Some will attend the meetings and receive the message. Letter 87, 1896. New Places the Best Places. The places in which the truth has never been proclaimed are the best places in which to work. The truth is to take possession of the will of those who have never before heard it. They will see the sinfulness of sin, and their repentance will be thorough and sincere. The Lord will work upon hearts that in the past have not often been appealed to, hearts that heretofore have not seen the enormity of sin. Letter 106, 1903. If Truth Had Been Aggressively Proclaimed. There was spread out before me city after city in need of evangelistic labors. If diligent effort had been given to the work of making known the truth for this time in the cities that are unwarned, they would not now be as impenitent as they are. From the light that has been given me I know that we might have had today thousands more rejoicing in the truth if the work had been carried forward as the situation demands, in many aggressive lines. Letter 94a, 1909.
THE NEED
OF
EVANGELISTIC WORKERS
The Harvest Is Great. The solemn, sacred message of warning must be proclaimed in the most difficult fields and in the most sinful cities, in every place where *Note. Seventh-day Adventist camp meetings of earlier years were great evangelistic agencies drawing large, attentive, non-Adventist audiences. In the frequent mention of camp meetings in this volume the context clearly indicates that it is the tent meeting of large evangelistic potentialities that is usually referred to. See pages 82, 83 for statements describing such meetings.
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the light of the great threefold gospel message has not yet dawned. Everyone is to hear the last call to the marriage supper of the Lamb. . . . Countries hitherto closed to the gospel are opening their doors, and are pleading for the Word of God to be explained to them. Kings and princes are opening their long-closed gates, inviting the heralds of the cross to enter. The harvest truly is great. Eternity alone will reveal the results of well-directed efforts put forth now. Gospel Workers, p. 27 (1915). Ambassadors for Christ. Ministers of God, with hearts aglow with love for Christ and your fellow men, seek to arouse those who are dead in trespasses and sins. Let your earnest entreaties and warnings pierce their consciences. Let your fervent prayers melt their hearts, and lead them in penitence to the Saviour. You are ambassadors for Christ, to proclaim His message of salvation. Gospel Workers, p. 35 (1915). A Hundred Workers Where Now Is One. Time is short. Workers for Christ are needed everywhere. There should be one hundred earnest, faithful laborers in home and foreign mission fields where now there is one. The highways and the byways are yet unworked. Urgent inducements should be held out to those who ought now to be engaged in missionary work for the Master. Fundamentals of Christian Education, p. 488 (1903). A Wise Distribution of Men. For the accomplishment of all that God calls for in warning the cities, His servants must plan for a wise distribution of the working forces. Often the laborers who might be a power for good in public meetings, are engaged in other work that allows them no time for active ministry among the people. For the conduct of affairs at the various centers of our work, those in responsibility
The Challenge to Evangelism
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must endeavor, as far as possible, to find consecrated men who have been trained in business lines. There is constant necessity of guarding against the tendency to tie up at these centers of influence men who could do a larger and more important work on the public platform, in presenting before unbelievers the truths of God’s Word. Review and Herald, Apr. 7, 1910. The Highest Calling. There must be no belittling of the gospel ministry. No enterprise should be so conducted as to cause the ministry of the Word to be looked upon as an inferior matter. It is not so. Those who belittle the ministry are belittling Christ. The highest of all work is ministry in its various lines, and it should be kept before the youth that there is no work more blessed of God than that of the gospel minister. Let not our young men be deterred from entering the ministry. There is danger that through glowing representations some will be drawn away from the path where God bids them walk. Some have been encouraged to take a course of study in medical lines who ought to be preparing themselves to enter the ministry. Testimonies, vol. 6, p. 411 (1900). Youth Replacing Standard-Bearers. The standard-bearers are falling, and young men must be prepared to take the places left vacant, that the message may still be proclaimed. The aggressive warfare is to be extended. Those who have youth and strength are to go into the dark places of the earth, to call perishing souls to repentance. Gospel Workers, p. 104 (1915). To Speedily Prepare for Service. Our schools have been established by the Lord, and if they are conducted in harmony with His purpose, the youth sent to them will quickly be prepared to engage in various lines of missionary work. Some will be trained to enter the
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Mind, Character, and Personality
field as missionary nurses, some as canvassers, some as evangelists, some as teachers, and some as gospel ministers. Letter 113, 1903. Teach Them to Do Evangelistic Work. The Lord calls upon those connected with our sanitariums, publishing houses, and schools to teach the youth to do evangelistic work. Our time and energy must not be so largely employed in establishing sanitariums, food stores, and restaurants that other lines of work will be neglected. Young men and young women who should be engaged in the ministry, in Bible work, and in the canvassing work should not be bound down to mechanical employment. Review and Herald, May 16, 1912. The Call to Strong Young Men. Where are the men who will go forth to the work, fully trusting in God, ready to do and to dare? God calls, “Son, go work today in My vineyard.” God will make the young men of today heaven’s chosen repositories, to present before the people truth in contrast with error and superstition, if they will give themselves to Him. May God roll the burden on strong young men, who have His word abiding in them and who will give the truth to others. Manuscript 134, 1898. Men Who Will Not Draw Back. God calls for consecrated workers who will be true to Him—humble men who see the need of evangelistic work and do not draw back but do each day’s work faithfully, relying upon God for help and strength in every emergency. The message is to be taken up by those who love and fear God. Lay not your burden upon any conference. Go forth, and, as evangelists, in a humble way present a “Thus saith the Scriptures.” Letter 43, 1905.
