Beat the tabernacle or hall early, before anyone else is there if possible. There are always little things to be done that the caretaker may have forgotten or overlooked.
Never keep the evangelist waiting for your presence at the workers' prayer season preceding the evening service.
Never burden the evangelist with your problems, but do all in your power to solve them yourself. At a suitable time tell him your interesting experiences; make pertinent suggestions; suggest what may be helpful. Help him to remember if he is forgetting something important. Do not expect him to wait upon you, but relieve him of those things that you can do as well for yourself. Pray for him during the service.
Help the ushers to make the people comfortable. Some people are very sensitive to drafts; see that this is overcome, either by a change of seat or closing a window. If there are earphones, those who are hard of hearing should be placed where they can use them. If not, they should have seats most favorable for hearing.
Be familiar with the subject for each night, and if you know of those who can come only one or two nights during the week, and who should hear special subjects, see that they receive a cordial invitation to be present on those nights. Always magnify the importance of the subject before those whom you visit, so that they will come to hear the subject -and—not-the-man.
During the sermon sit where you can watch the expression on the faces of those present; and always be ready to help any who may need assistance.
Do what you can to keep the choir well filled by inviting those whom you know can sing to take part in this service. Suggest to the choir leader the names of those who can sing, also of those who can help with the instrumental music.
At the close of the meeting always be where you can give a word of personal greeting to the people, inviting them to come to the next service. Never fail to introduce to the evangelist those whom you know, if he has not already met them.
In my own experience I have found it helpful to wear, during public services, a dark-blue, smocklike uniform, with white collar and cuffs, also a badge bearing the words "Bible Instructor." When the evangelist gives a call in the meeting, the uniform makes it easy for me to speak to different persons, because they understand it to be a part of my duties. It also helps in making acquaintances. I do not wear this uniform when visiting in the homes.
When a public call is made, and there is a response, I go to the prayer room with those who have stood up or raised their hands. If the evangelist or his helper is delayed in coming at once, I take charge of the little meeting, and help all I can by talking and praying with them. Usually those who respond to such a call are persons who have been visited, and with whose special needs I am familiar. If the circumstances are suitable, I arrange with the evangelist to call on certain persons for prayer Or testimony. It is always my aim to see that those who have responded to a public call do not leave this meeting until they have received special help. If I do not have their names, I seek to get them, that I may visit them in their homes, and help them to find Christ.
Frequently I attend services in near-by S. D. A. churches, and aim always to be present when new believers are taken into any church family, to help make them feel welcome.
Los Angeles, Calif.
