"The plan of holding Bible readings was a heaven-born idea."—"Gospel Workers," p. 192. "Our work has been marked out for us by our heavenly Father. We are to take our Bibles, and go forth to warn the world."—"Testimonies," Vol. IX, p. 150.
In view of such a positive statement as to the origin of the Bible reading idea, we conclude that the call to enter upon this "heaven-born" plan must also be definite and of divine origin. Personally, I believe that the call to enter the Bible work must be recognized by the individual as coming direct from God to her. And I am glad of the assurance that "many will be called into the field to labor from house to house, giving Bible readings." —Id., p. 172.
This particular branch of service opens up a large field of labor to consecrated women. "They can take their place in the work at this crisis, and the Lord will work through them. . . The Saviour will reflect upon these self-sacrificing women the light of His countenance. . . They can do in families a work that men cannot do, a work that reaches the inner life."—p. 128. In the homes of the people there is opportunity for personal labor of such a nature as can be divinely intrusted to the ministry of women Bible workers, and in this particular field God has promised to "give them a power that will exceed that of men."—Ibid. To be fitted for such a work, does not depend upon any set of rules, but upon an experience of heart and life which can be imparted only by the One who calls to the service. "If they are imbued with a sense of their duty, and labor under the influence of the Spirit of God, they will have just the self-possession required for this time."—/bid.
Precept Versus Example
To be "imbued with a sense of duty" involves recognition of the serious responsibility devolving upon the Bible worker. When, as ambassador for her King, she crosses the threshold of a home for the first time, she should recognize all that is involved in her contact with the souls in that home. It may be that to the inmates of that home her conduct and daily life represent the only version of the Bible within their comprehension. How very important, therefore, that the Bible worker's words and conduct should be such as rightly to represent her Lord, and that her manners and her dress shall so plainly point to the meek and lowly Jesus that the inquiring soul shall catch a glimpse of Him, perhaps for the first time.
An incident which occurred a few years ago may serve as a word of caution. A city Bible worker came in contact with a woman who gladly arranged for the studies, and in due time became deeply interested in the message of truth for this time. When the studies reached the subject of baptism, the reader was ready to take her stand. She was happy and rejoicing in her new experience of increasing light, and had firm confidence in her Bible teacher and personal friend. Shortly before the date which had been set apart for baptism, the Bible worker visited her reader at the usual time of appointment, for she was always welcome, and there were many points of truth to be reviewed and restudied with pleasure and profit. As she entered the home on this occasion, she removed her hat and, much to the surprise of the reader, began making excuses for having had her hair bobbed.. This worldly fad had not been brought to the attention of the reader as anything tending to lower the standard of truth which had been espoused, and even this procedure on the part of the Bible worker did not tend to shatter confidence in any way. The Bible worker's explanation, that it was "for convenience' sake," helped to settle a long-debated question in the reader's mind, and she decided that for the same reason she must have her hair bobbed at once. Not long after this, the lady was informed by one of recognized authority in the church that the wearing of bobbed hair was contrary to the principles of the Seventh-day Adventist denomination. "Well, but the Bible worker had her hair bobbed," was the reply. This only served to make the situation more complicated and bewildering.
The inconsistent conduct of the Bible worker in regard to visiting the theater also had its effect. The Bible worker had made clear to her reader that attendance at the theater was out of harmony with the principles of church fellowship, and must be buried with the old life in baptism. This was a pleasure which had been greatly enjoyed by this new believer in the truth, but when she came to understand the true principles of the Christian life, she willingly took a firm stand against theater entertainment. In the course of conversation, sometime later, the husband of the Bible worker stated that he and his wife had been to the theater to see the portrayal of "The Ten Commandments,"—a motion picture film which, in spite of its good name, was known to contain many objectionable features. This information came as a startling surprise to the one who had taken such a firm stand for Christian principle, and as a result her confidence was shattered. Two years later another Seventh-day Adventist worker came in contact with this woman, and although it was apparent that she still loved the truth which she had so honestly and gladly received, it required a long and tedious process of personal labor in order to restore confidence and faith.
(To be concluded)
