Our evangelistic laborers, more than any other class of workers among us, have the reputation of this movement in their hands. To them is committed the supremely important work of representing this cause to the world. Any lowering of dignity on the part of the evangelist reflects on the movement itself. Any adoption of questionable, cheap, spectacular, theatrical methods, any striving after effect, in the presentation of this message, or any personal circus antics and contortions of the evangelist himself, bring this cause into ill repute, and hinder instead of help the work of God.
This, therefore, is an appeal for a close, careful scrutiny of our evangelistic methods and our evangelistic preaching, with the end in view of discarding all unworthy ways of working and preaching, and the carrying forward of our evangelistic program on a lofty, dignified plane which will impress the world with the seriousness and supreme importance of this message.
This will mean a careful analysis of our preaching, our advertising, our appearance, our sermons, our expressions, our methods, our plans, our conduct, with the determination to eliminate all hurtful mannerisms, all cheap and trifling expressions, all slang, all sensationalism, all cutting sarcasm, all undignified methods, and to confine ourselves to the simple, plain, straightforward, dignified preaching of the word itself.
The time is come for such a survey, and it is better for us to make it ourselves, do our own checking up, and free ourselves from dependence on all unworthy and questionable methods, than to have it done for us. For indeed it is likely to be done for us, if we fail to do it ourselves. The cause of God must not be allowed to suffer because of its public representatives.
We are engaged in a lofty enterprise. We are doing a solemn work. We are coworkers with God Himself. He has chosen us to bear to men the last message of saving mercy. Nothing that in any way cheapens our work or lowers it in public estimation, should be permitted to influence our methods. We owe it to God, whose we are and whom we serve and whose message we preach, to place our reliance for success in this divine undertaking on nothing but the Holy Spirit.
There is a dignity connected with this message which should never be lowered. It came from heaven. All its teachings are from God. The gospel ministry is a dignified calling. The minister himself should be a dignified man. He is "a vessel unto honor."
This does not mean there is to be an affectation of dignity, a dignity merely put on for the occasion. There is to be no studied stiffness, no pompousness, no display. There is to be no ceremonious gait, no excessive preciseness of speech, no ministerial "whine," no priestly countenance, no professional manners.
No; the dignity called for is that which is unconscious of its existence. It is an easy, simple, and extremely graceful garment. It is a godly, earnest, one-thing-I-do dignity. It is the sort of thing which naturally attaches itself to a man who has more to do with things eternal than with things temporal; who studies, as a matter of constant habit, the deep things of God's truth, God's providence, God's grace; who is an inhabitant of the world of the Bible; who is pledged to Christ alone; who is seeking not merely momentary results, but whose thoughts and inquiries and studies "wander through eternity;" who has relinquished this world and taken hold of heaven; whose incessant striving is for eternal life.
Such a man, such a minister, such an evangelist, is dignified. All who meet him will be impressed with his dignity. Few will trifle in his presence, for he is seen to be one who has much to do with God. All will respect him, and respect his work, for it is clear that his motives are higher and purer than those which actuate the general run of men.
So his is a dignity of holiness, of cleanness, of purity, of death to the world.
It is the dignity of faith. He believes God, and is not ashamed.
It is the dignity of love. God is the center of his soul, and he loves all men for whom Christ died.
It is the dignity of hope. In his soul is the hope of glory.
It is the dignity of action. The very purpose of his existence is to bring salvation to men.
It is the dignity of relationship. He is a child of God.
It is the dignity of prospect. He is an heir of heaven.
It is the dignity of station. He is an ambassador of the King of kings.
It is the dignity of knowledge. He knows the only true and living God, and Jesus Christ whom He has sent. It is the dignity of rank. His crown awaits him.
It is the dignity of beauty. He is a new creation.
It is the dignity of safety. Angels encamp around him.
It is the dignity of happiness. God is his portion.
It is the dignity of permanence. He shall never be moved.
Let this dignity be the standard by which we measure all that we are doing in the work of evangelism.
Battle Creek. Mich.
