Editorial Postscripts

From the Ministry back page.

L.E.F. is editor of the Ministry

Opportunity!—Never has opportunity knocked so loudly, never has evidence been so compulsive, never has the need been so great for a greater evangelism, as is true of the present hour. It is time for the rising cry of the third angel. A bewildered world wants an explanation, and sin-laden souls want the healing balm of the everlasting gospel. This is our golden opportunity; nay, more, it is our bounden obligation. God will honor faith as we press forward.

Culture! —Refinement is rightly expected of the public representative of the gospel of grace. Crudity of conduct in dining room, drawing room, or desk is offensive. Especially is this true in enlightened lands, where flaunting of the established customs of human society becomes a barrier against a favor­able audience to truth. Soiled linen or spotted clothing, unpressed garments or unpolished shoes, unshaven face or finger nails "in mourning,"—these are some of the little foxes that spoil the fruitfulness of the ministerial vine.

Facts!—The passion for truth will lead us to scrutinize every quotation or fact that we use. Sometimes a quotation has been cited by an ardent advocate of some theory because it fitted neatly into a conclusion already formed in the mind, while the investigator seemed oblivious to any contrary evidence. We should scorn to use a single reference that will not bear most rigid scrutiny, and that is not buttressed by unqualified personal conviction as to its trust­worthy character. Let us always draw our conclusions from the facts, and never force the facts to conform to preconceived opinion.

Propitious!—Material prosperity and soul winning often operate in reverse ratio. For example; In the flourishing year of 1920 there was practically no increase in membership in North America, while in the stringency of 1931 there were 7,222 additions, the largest net increase since 1917, when the hearts of men were crushed by war sorrows and problems. This is both the provi­dential and the psychological hour to offer God's rest to the restless; to proffer confidence in Him for chilling, human fear; and to set forth the "blessed hope" as the only solution for a world and a race gone awry. We dare not think of aught but advance, until our task is done.

Morale!--Let us hold steady in this time of pressure. It will be easy to become panicky, but this must not be. The difficulties, as well as the task and its completion, were all foreknown to God and foretold to us. We should be neither surprised nor discouraged when baffling situations confront us. Our God lives and rules, and it is a wonderful thing to be on His side. His message cannot be stayed until it has done its allotted work. Our faith and devotion should increase in proportion to the proximity and complexity of the end. Read­justments will be necessary; let us make them cheerfully. Simplifications will be required; let us make them effectually. The present situation is a token, and a blessing in disguise. Therefore let us think courage, talk courage, and exemplify courage.


Ministry reserves the right to approve, disapprove, and delete comments at our discretion and will not be able to respond to inquiries about these comments. Please ensure that your words are respectful, courteous, and relevant.

comments powered by Disqus

L.E.F. is editor of the Ministry

August 1932

Download PDF
Ministry Cover

More Articles In This Issue

Our Supreme Need As Workers

The supreme need of the church today is the divine presence of the Holy Spirit; but it will come only through much prayer.

A Studious Ministry

The hour calls for a ministry that reads widely and studies deeply.

Diligent Study Essential

An important lesson from the life of Phillips Brooks.

Our Solemn Accountability as Ministers

Genuine piety is the first indispensable requisite for receiving the call to become a minister for God, an ambassador for Christ.

Balancing the Evangelistic Budget

How to make our evangelistic efforts self-supporting is a pertinent question at this time.

Methods of Evangelism—I

The first and chief requisite for successful evangelism is constant contact with the Holy Spirit, and a willingness to be led by Him. The second requisite for success is to believe what you preach.

Working for Roman Catholics

In working for Catholics many blunders are due to a failure to understand their mental attitude toward religious matters.

The Septuagint Translation

An important step in the history of the Bible was the translation of the Hebrew Old Testament into the Greek language. This Greek version is commonly known as the Septuagint.

The Story of an Institutional Evangelistic Effort

In the summer of 1930 there came to a small group of employees in the Review and Herald office the definite conviction that it would be a good thing, as workers in an institution engaged in the mechanics of the message, actually to do the things about which we had been so long theorizing.

Essentials and Nonessentials

The contrast between essentials and nonessentials, primaries and second­aries, fundamentals and incidentals, is frequently stressed by the "Ministry" in these general terms; but specifically, just what is included or intended by these expressions? Please illustrate concretely. Are not all details impor­tant! And were not our ministers in earlier days all united upon the details of our positions?

View All Issue Contents

Digital delivery

If you're a print subscriber, we'll complement your print copy of Ministry with an electronic version.

Sign up
Advertisement - RevivalandReformation 300x250

Recent issues

See All