It Pays to Make Friends

From both personal observation and experience I believe that we as Seventh-day Adventist ministers have been too slow and timid in making friendships with government officials, men of influence, and leaders of other denominations. Now I do not mean to fraternize with these men, or to become entangled with them socially or politically in any way that would be contrary to the principles of our belief; but we have been advised in the writings of Sister White and in the Bible that we should approach such men and make their acquaintance. This principle is so generally acknowledged among us as to make it unnecessary to take space here to give references.

Select some lawyer or other person in public life, and concentrate on him. Watch the issues of the day in the news, and keep close watch on our own literature. Mail some pointed article in which you feel this man would be interested, then call him on the tele­phone and courteously tell him who you are, and that you feel that he may be interested in that particular article. and that you would much like to know his personal reaction on the topic, be­cause you know that in his position in public life he has a broad outlook. Or call on him personally. Do not try to take his subscription, and refuse to accept any money for what you take him. Let him know that you have no ulterior motives, and then stick to it and do not have any. Just purely and honestly cultivate his pleasant friend­ship. Do not be profuse or flattering, and do not take too much of his time. Make your calls brief and businesslike, but friendly.

When we make such contacts, we gain friends who do not forget us in time of need. When enemies say un­kind things about us, these men. stop the criticism by stating that their con­tacts with us have been pleasant. Their position in public life causes their opinion of us to carry weight. If some minister or news editor starts unfavorable propaganda against us, these men will kindly and voluntarily, and without our knowing it, exert an influence in our behalf. And when Sun­day observance bills or other such problems come up, these men with whom we have made friendly contacts will become our champions and help us. Also, when they are puzzled and perplexed, they will call us and ask our opinion if we have previously done the same thing with them.

Only recently one of the most cun­ningly devised plans possible was laid to pass a Sunday observance bill in Newfoundland. It was ignominiously defeated, and for no other reason than that such personal contacts had been made. I had talked with nearly all members of parliament over the tele­phone at various times before this came up. Literature had been sent them. Friendly contacts had been made over and over again with several of the most influential lawyers of the country, both Catholic_and.Trotestant, who were either members of parlia­ment or ex-members of powerful stand­ing. Because of these former contacts, I was able to interview the prime min­ister, the secretary of state, the leader of the opposition, and various other members of parliament, and person­ally lay before them the principles of religious liberty, talking with these men freely as friend to friend. Delega­tions of brethren from the church also called on all these men; but the per­sonal contact before, and the personal, friendly, heart-to-heart talks I had with these men during the time the issue was on, killed the bill. I doubt very much if anything else could have accomplished it.

When trouble of any kind comes, our enemies hold the weight of influence with such men if we are strangers to them; but if we know them, and they know us and have confidence in us, these friendly acquaintanceships are a great power. Let us not neglect so im­portant a matter. A stranger is always at a disadvantage. And by working secretly all the while, we arouse sus­picion. We often receive the very best sheep from other pastures in giving our message. And being strangers, and avoiding contact with leaders and min­isters, we come to be known as "sheep stealers" as we carry on our evangel­istic work. But if we meet these men, even the ministers of other denomina­tions, and are frank and open with them, they cannot call us such names, and they would be ashamed to treat us as they do when we avoid them. I have had some remarkable results from asking these men to offer prayer or to sit on my platform when I have been speaking. Some of them may never get the message unless we take it to them, and whether they accept it or not, we rob them of their sting by mak­ing friends with them. If we would have friends, we must show ourselves friendly.

St. John's, Newfoundland.