The Bible Worker and the W. C. T. U.
A Bible worker states her problem as follows: "Should a Bible worker lend her influence to the Woman's Christian Temperance Union? I gave Bible studies to one of the W. C. T. U. evangelists, and she was taken into our church about six weeks ago. I am proud of her. She is a full-fledged Seventh-day Adventist. She asked me to give a talk at one of the W. C. T. U. meetings, which I did, and since that time I have repeatedly been asked to speak to them. Of course my whole ambition is to gain entrance to the homes of these women and give Bible studies to them, and I have succeeded in doing so in several instances. I have just been asked to speak to the young people's organization of the W. C. T. U. What counsel do you have for me along this line?"
After considering the situation, it would seem that the results which have attended the contact of this Bible worker with the local chapter of the W. C. T. U. give evidence that the Lord has led in this matter, and has opened the way for His representative to witness for Him in that circle.
Those who are proclaiming the truth of God for this time have no instruction to hold themselves aloof from others, either as individuals or as organizations. The divine plan has always been that His representatives should come in contact with those who do not have the light of truth, with a view to bringing them into fellowship with God through such association. Ancient Israel was placed in the land of Canaan, the highway of travel, for the express purpose of teaching those who passed through the land the knowledge of the true God. (See Isa. 19:23-25.) But Israel failed in this exalted mission, and instead of being leaders, they were led into idolatry. Daniel and his friends were sent to Babylon to witness for God, and they fulfilled their mission nobly.
The example of our Saviour emphasizes the importance of making contact with people wherever and whenever possible, for the purpose of witnessing to the salvation of God and sowing seeds of truth beside all waters. In His last prayer for the disciples, Christ said, "I pray not that Thou shouldst take them out of the world, but that Thou shouldst keep them from the evil." John 17:15. And Paul, the great apostle to the Gentiles, gave the secret of his success, when he said, "I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some." (See 1 Cor. 9:19-22.)
The Lord has sent instruction to His workers in more recent years, which is clear and plain. Note the following statements:
"The Women's Christian Temperance Union is an organization with whose efforts for the spread of temperance principles we can heartily unite.
The light has been given me that we are not to stand aloof from them, but while there is to be no sacrifice of principle on our part, as far as possible we are to unite with them in laboring for temperance reforms. My husband and I, in our labors, united with these temperance workers, and we had the joy of seeing several unite with us in the observance of the true Sabbath. . . . We are to work with them when we can. . . . I have been shown that we are not to shun the W. C. T. U. workers. . . . They, by uniting with us, will hear new truths which the Holy Spirit is waiting to impress upon hearts."—"Counsels on Health," pp. 436, 437.
"We need . . . to show a decided interest in the workers of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union.
None who claim to have a part in the work of God should lose interest in the grand object of this organization in temperance lines. It would be a good thing if . . . we should invite the members of the W. C. T. U. to take part in our exercises. This would help them to become acquainted with the reasons of our faith, and open the way for us to unite with them in the temperance work."—"Gospel Workers," p. 384.
The principles of co-operation outlined in the foregoing paragraphs apply with equal force when we are invited by the W. C. T. U. to unite with them, and all such opportunities should be improved. When the worker's vision is clear, and the honor and glory of God is kept uppermost in view, there can be no danger in entering any open door of friendly attitude, if there is recognized that "still small voice" saying, "Go in this thy might: . . . have not I sent thee?" The danger of defeat lies in the attitude of the worker, rather than in the contact. Too frequently we witness the sad plight of the worker who becomes giddy with the honor conferred by such invitations, and in order to maintain so-called prestige there is a sacrifice of principle, and consequent failure in the very mission which God designs to have accomplished. The difficulty lies in vision and valuation of things. The cause of God is the greatest and most holy cause in the world, and those who have been called to serve in connection therewith occupy the highest and holiest position ever committed to mortal man.
Many of the Bible workers of extensive experience will recall the experience of Mrs. S. M. I. Henry, who for many years held the position of national evangelist of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, and while a patient at our sanitarium became fully convinced and wholeheartedly accepted present truth. Naturally, Mrs. Henry carried upon her heart a very heavy burden for the members of the W. C. T. U. organization, and her experience in espousing the truth and fearlessly proclaiming it, made a profound impression. The correspondence between Mrs. S. M. I. Henry and Mrs. E. G. White at that time was very interesting. The following is a quotation from one of the letters which Mrs. Henry received from Mrs. White, during the latter part of 1899:
"I hope, my sister, that you will have an influence to draw many precious souls under the standard of truth. The Lord Jesus is drawing many souls to an examination of the truth, and you need not fail nor be discouraged. Sow beside all waters. These are good waters in which you can sow the seeds of truth, even if you do not dwell upon the features of your faith publicly. It would not be wise to be too definite. Let the oil of grace in the conscious and unconscious influence of words spoken reveal the fact that you have the light of life to shine forth to others in a direct, positive testimony on subjects upon which you can all agree. This will leave a telling influence."
In the light of such clear and specific instruction, it would seem that the course to pursue by the Bible worker in affiliating with the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, need no longer be considered a problem.
Rose E. Boose
Loma Linda, Calif.
Assisting the Evangelist
The past six months have been exceptionally full of labor, but God has blessed, and wonderful has been the success both in Harvest Ingathering and in the evangelistic effort conducted by Elder J. G. Mitchell in the church. Last year seems to have been the hardest ever in Florida, because of disasters and calamities, and so the Harvest Ingathering campaign went exceedingly hard. Nevertheless God richly blessed my labors, so that I secured more than ever before,— about $550, working in the same territory previously covered. Then right away our church effort began.
The advertising in the newspapers resulted in a large attendance at the meetings, and special attention was given to the people as they came. Six lady ushers, dressed in white, were stationed just inside the inner door of the church, their specified duty being to seat the people and take up the offering. I stood in the lobby to greet the people as they entered the church and pass to them the address cards. On Sunday nights, another usher is located in the lobby with me to assist in caring for the crowds.
All of us wear "usher" ribbons. This plan has proved very successful in securing names for literature and in the matter of offerings. Including pledges from lay members, our offerings for the eight weeks' effort amounted to $500 above the running expense. Over 200 names were turned in for literature. Twenty-three people have been baptized, and we hope to have almost as many more ready for baptism very soon. Quite a few of the interested people have left Florida for the North. This is one of our great problems down here in beautiful Miami, for a large part of the population is always shifting; and yet this is a wonderful center for scattering the truth to all parts of our country.
Addis Mae Kalar. Miami, Fla.
Nurse Bible Workers
The teachers' training course, as offered at Washington Missionary College, has been in operation for three years, and very satisfactory results are attending the work of the graduates now widely scattered throughout the home field and some in mission fields. The inspirational slogan set before the candidates for this teachers' training course is, "When you are ready for service, service is ready for you," the truth of which has been proved beyond question.
This course is open to graduate nurses, for we recognize that every nurse, whether institutional or field worker, in order to be successful must be essentially a teacher of others. The course covers college work for one year, and those subjects are included which are most essential in fitting the graduate nurse to do denominational work. In addition to public speaking, any nurse without credit in pastoral training is required to elect that course in Bible. The class work includes giving weekly Bible readings out in the field. The teaching process correlates classroom instruction with practice teaching. The college nurses, under supervision, conduct a home nursing class for the women of the vicinity.
Methods in health conservation in-chide a detailed study of the duties of a school nurse in a secondary school or college. The class in field methods deals with the work of the evangelist nurse in efforts, in church school work, and health reform teaching at camp meetings and in churches. The theory is based on actual observation and experience in the practice field. The nurses connect with the student theological efforts, and give health talks and demonstrations preceding the Sunday night services. They also visit interested people in their homes, conducting Bible readings, and giving advice on health and treatment for the sick.
These are some of the outstanding features of instruction which help the nurse Bible worker to plan her work and to learn bow to co-operate with others. Then as a medical missionary she will be able to use the health work as the entering wedge in the saving of souls, which after all is the only true objective.
Florence N. Oliver
