In the heart of almost every man and woman there is a desire to be at peace with God. It is true that man's conception of God is often vague or crude Or erroneous; nevertheless His Spirit in a thousand ways, unknown and often unrecognized by us, is endeavoring to reconcile men to Himself.
The vast majority of people may appear outwardly very worldly, even spiritually dead, their lives seeming to indicate that the gospel appeal would be lost upon them. But strike beneath the surface of unrest, pleasure-seeking, worldliness, and apparent godlessness, and we find that the Spirit of God still strives for recognition.
To the evangelist is committed the glorious privilege of creating the atmosphere and providing the opportunity whereby the hidden work of the Spirit of God in the lives of human beings may become an open, liberated, dominating force, that will transform the life, and fashion it after His own image. With what joy, then, should the evangelist devote, yea, abandon himself to the task of satisfying the soul hunger of men!
To succeed in his mission he must have a strong, living faith in God and man,—faith in God, to believe that His Spirit is being poured out upon all flesh (Joel 2:28); and faith in man, to believe that any and every man is a likely "prospect" for the kingdom.
The work of evangelism is done both in public and in private, that accomplished in private usually being the more enduring. Today the best method of reaching individuals privately seems to be by establishing confidence through public contact. Though people need and desire the gospel, some are prejudiced against attending religious services except those of their own faith; others have become indifferent through listening to sermons lacking a definite message and spiritual power; still others have never cultivated a religious life, and to them a religious service, as such, has no appeal. In some way we must make contacts with all these classes.
To bring about the desired results, our initial advertising must be wide in its appeal, dignified in its make-up, and as attractive as it is possible to make it. The announcement of the opening service must reach the public through as many channels as practicable. Our usual program in Southern Africa includes the following:
1. A six-inch double-column advertisement with block on the "leader" page, if possible, of the daily press.
2. One to two hundred posters, two by three feet in size, placed throughout the district on walls and hoardings, or billboards, with permission of the owners. These posters have a bright yellow horizontal strip ten inches wide, upon which the opening date is printed in bold type.
3. Advertising slides are used in the local cinemas for two evenings preceding the opening service.
4. The district is flooded with handbills, usually a folder bearing on the front a word of welcome or a catchword, and on the back featuring the musical program. In order to find why the folder is distributed, it must be opened.
By these means a full house is usually secured for the first meeting. The service is short, being confined within one hour. A few points are made clear, and a few texts revealing strong Scriptural evidence are read, closing with a gospel appeal to touch the heart.
If there is an overflow audience, as frequently happens, it is made the basis for a larger program. In the next handbill distributed we express regret that so many were unable to obtain seats, and announce that in order that those attending nightly shall not be disappointed on Sunday evening, we plan to issue reserved seat tickets for the service on that night. Small cards are printed, good for one reserved seat on Sunday night only, and, these are given out by the ushers on Friday and Saturday nights to those requesting them. This is an incentive to attend on these nights, for the tickets are obtainable only on personal application.
On Sunday evening the number of seats to be reserved, corresponding to the number of tickets given out, are divided off from the few unreserved seats, either with notices or with a rope stretched across the tent. It is not wise to reserve all the seats; but approximately three fourths can be reserved to good advantage. In each aisle where the reserved section begins, an usher should be stationed to receive tickets, and admit ticket holders only. Care should be taken, in selecting persons to act as ushers, to choose only those who are tactful and pleasant in manner. Invariably within a few minutes after the doors are opened, the unreserved section will be filled to overflowing. This, plan greatly increases the attendance; for a crowd always draws to itself.
The next step, if the crowd seems to justify it, is to announce that in order to avoid disappointment to so many again, and that all may be seated in comfort, a double service will be conducted on the following Sunday night, the same message being given twice. The early service will be for those Without tickets, and the later one for those with reserved seats only. The early comers get the musical program; for when the first service is over, the time is somewhat limited for the second.
During the latter half of the early service, a large crowd is always gathered outside the doors, waiting to press in when they are opened. This arouses a wider interest in the services, and advertises them effectively. The additional audience helps to swell the week-night attendance also; and with their contributions the effort can often be made self-supporting.
Johannesburg, South Africa.
