As the wife of an evangelist, and an associate with him in evangelism along the line of the Bible work, I wish to call attention to the basis on which we have endeavored to establish our work, in harmony with the following words of divine instruction:
"A well-balanced work can be carried on best when a training school for Bible workers is in progress."— "Testimonies," Vol. IX, p. 111.
"The work of giving Bible readings" should not "be intrusted to inexperienced" persons who lack "a thorough education and training."—"Fundamentals of Christian Education," p. .113.
When entering a new field for an evangelistic campaign, the first thing we do is to begin a course in training for the consecrated men and women who are willing to engage in houseto-house work in the homes of the people. Our plan of procedure is as follows:
First: We organize the class, and seek to bring to each member of the class a vision of the exalted character of the work in which they are to engage. Then we begin the study of underlying principles in the presentation of truth and methods of applying the principles. We also give consideration to the difficulties which must be encountered along the line of meeting opposition and argument, and place due emphasis on preventive measures against causing people to be on the defensive; how to deal with questions which are not of vital importance and divert from the subject in hand; how to secure readers by creating a desire to become Bible students, and many other phases of the technique of houseto-house work so familiar to the experienced worker.
Second: A series of Bible studies, in outline form, is prepared, in all of which special emphasis is placed on making Christ in all His loveliness the central theme of each doctrinal subject, so that the heart rather than the intellect responds to truth. Special help is given in the matter of varying these outlines to meet individual needs and capacities, and making each subject a part of one great glorious truth.
Third: A group of texts which meet questions most commonly asked and counteract difficulties and obstacles that the enemy invariably presents, is carefully selected, an assigned number being committed to memory each week by each member of the class. The weekly drill on these memory texts is both interesting and effective in fixing them firmly in mind.
Fourth: Members of the training class are given opportunity to observe the practical demonstration of the principles set forth by personal experience in house-to-house work.
We find that the help of these trained volunteer workers is of great value in connection with an evangelistic campaign. We do not hesitate to send these workers to the homes of the people who attend the meetings, in the interests of the needed follow-up work, such as the distribution of literature, answering questions, and giving Bible studies as may be called for. And when the conference workers in charge of the evangelistic effort are called to some other place, the work which has been done is not crippled or left to die out, as the local workers have become efficient and successful in their personal contact with the people, and can pick up the broken threads of interest and carry on to the point of decision and acceptance of truth. As time goes on, it may be that those new in the faith meet with severe trials, or experiences arise which baffle faith. It is then that these tried and true members of the training class serve to good purpose in helping to encourage, guide, and establish firmly on all points of truth.
Truly "a well-balanced work can be carried on best when a training school for Bible workers" is made a part of the evangelist's program. The balance consists in helping to bring new members into the church in the first place, and in the second place in helping to hold them steady and firm in church membership. There is also another element of strength which enters into the Christian life of the workers themselves. It may be that when the conference workers are transferred, the church is left without a shepherd's care, and there is often danger that believers, both new and old, become cold and indifferent; but where there has been a live training class conducted, and the members of the class have had experience in field work and have tasted the joy of working for souls, there will be the leaven of inspiration and incentive to good work, which will tend to "leaven the whole lump" and lead the entire church membership in steady growth in Christian life and continual progress in all the activities of the church.
Eugene, Oreg.
