A bible worker once said to me, "I have a reader with whom I have studied all points of our faith, and she assents to everything, but does not take a definite stand. I would like to have you visit her." As we entered the home, the Bible worker introduced me as the minister she had previously mentioned, and stated that I would be glad to answer any questions she wished to ask. In response to this generous suggestion of the Bible worker, the woman turned to me and said, "I wish you would explain to me the subject of the two covenants."
Now it just happened that for many years in my early experience this was a subject which meant little to me. I had heard it from childhood, but all the sermons and suggestions seemed so involved and complex and farfetched that I questioned whether there was anything very important about it. Finally, while teaching Bible at a summer school, the subject came up in the regular course, and I resolved that if there was any really worth-while truth in it, I would find it. In those days I was spending from three to five hours a day in prayer and Bible study, and as I made careful investigation of the subject of the two covenants, I found a very important and precious lesson in it, which, when rightly understood, is very simple.
This lady sat there waiting for me to begin to explain the two covenants to her, but I saw by my watch that there was only fifteen or twenty minutes before time for the car which I planned to take to return home, and I feared it would not be possible to make it all clear in. that time, so offered the suggestion that it might be better to leave such a large subject as that for the Bible worker to explain when there was more time. When I made that remark, I saw in the expression that passed over the woman's face, just as plainly as if she had said the words, that in her mind she was thinking, "Ah, it is as I expected! He cannot explain it. That is the weak point in their message." That settled me as to the course I ought to pursue, and without waiting for her to reply to my suggestion, I said, "Well if you do not wish to wait, please get your Bible, and pencil, and paper, and we will see what we, can do." I admit that it was not easy to simplify that subject and make it all plain in so short a time; but at the end of fifteen minutes' study, the woman looked at me with apparent satisfaction, and said, "That is just as plain as anything I have heard in all these wonderful lessons." I believe that experience greatly strengthened the woman's confidence that we had a true message from God's word, and I refer to the incident now to emphasize the necessity of knowing thoroughly what we believe, and being able to present it in a clear, logical, and very simple way. If we can teach the truth of the two covenants so that it can be grasped and appreciated by a ten-year-old child, we need have no fear that others will not understand it. I have often suggested that young workers, who desire to become successful in teaching this great message and bringing souls to Christ, should welcome every opportunity to teach children and juniors; for if a person can hold their interest and awaken their enthusiasm in our doctrines, he can usually succeed with older people.
Another important principle to be observed in meeting the crisis of decision, and the one which is paramount to all others, is to exalt Christ crucified as the center of every truth. This fact is emphasized in a statement found in "Gospel Workers," page 315: "To be rightly understood and appreciated, every truth in the word of God, from Genesis to Revelation, must be studied in the light that streams from the cross of Calvary." We may talk eloquently about the need of coming to Christ, and may be able to explain our doctrines in a logical and convincing manner, but this is no guaranty of success.
When I first began an earnest study of the subject of the cross, I made some amazing discoveries. I soon learned that no truth that God has revealed in His word can be clearly and fully seen unless it is examined, humbly and carefully, in the light that streams from the cross. To present every truth of our message in that light, is the supreme secret of success. Herein lies the impelling and compelling power at the crisis of decision.
It is just here that we find the fundamental difference between Christianity and all other religions. The gods of the heathen, composed of wood and stone, are made by those who worship them. They are dead. But Christ lives, and He is the message; He is Christianity. The message of salvation is a living message, because by it a living, divine Saviour is communicated to dying men. It may seem to be a mystery, yet it is a fact, that the same words may convey an abstract theory of truth, or they may reveal a living Person who is the truth. The person who knows truth theoretically only, can pass on to others only theoretical truth. We need to learn the secret of seeing and presenting every truth radiant with the light that streams from the cross of Calvary.
Perhaps it was the design of those who asked me to speak on the subject of bringing people to a decision that I should point out just the method of presenting our doctrines which would secure this result, and there may be disappointment because I have not attempted to do this. I am sure that any conscientious believer ought to be able to present the doctrines of our faith in a manner sufficiently clear to convince any candid mind. But back of this intellectual assent there must be the convicting power which attends the exaltation of Christ crucified. That conviction is circumscribed only by the degree of our personal fellowship with Christ in His sufferings, death, resurrection, and intercession.
I have endeavored to emphasize a few of the principles which I believe to be essential to success in leading souls to a whole-hearted surrender to Christ. It can all be summed up in the suggestion that constant study be given to the science of the cross, and the science of soul winning. Many years ago I decided that the science of soul winning was the most important subject in the world, and I proceeded to acquire more books on that subject than on any other. Later I discovered that the science of the cross came first, and I endeavored to make it first. When I read "Testimonies to Ministers" for the first time, I marked every reference to the cross, and the result was amazing to me.
A few of the very helpful books an these two supreme subjects are listed as follows:
The Cross:
"Way of the Cross," J. Gregory Mantle.
"Meaning and Message of the Cross," H. C. Mabie.
"Day of the Cross," W. M. Clow. "Meaning of the Cross," Gordan Watt.
"Cross in Paith and Conduct," Gordan Watt.
Soul Winning:
"Individual Work for Individuals," Trumbull.
"Twice-Born Men," Harold Begbie. "The Personal Touch," J. W. Chapman.
"Passion for Souls," Jowett. "Method in Soul Winning," H. C. Mabie.
"The Book of Personal Work," J. T. Faris.
"Soul Winning," G. B. Thompson. "Introducing Men to Christ," W. D. Weatherford.
Modesto, Calif.
