Shall we compromise in the presentation of the message for the sake of holding large audiences? Theoretically, we would all answer, No. Nevertheless this is a very real temptation that the enemy may hold out to us, not only in these financially distressing times, but also in days of prosperity. And it is a fact well known among city evangelists that people will flock in large numbers to properly advertized public discourses, and will continue coming so long as popular themes are discussed. In the beginning of a series of lectures every evangelist follows the plan of presenting subjects that will build up his audience and obtain their confidence.
Just here lies the temptation: Recognizing that the moment he turns from these more general topics that create interest and gain assent, to the peculiar and separating doctrines of our message, his audience will probably begin to dwindle, there is at times a reluctance to venture into the testing truths.
But why should one be tempted to withhold testing truths? Surely the maintenance of the evangelist's personal popularity or the popularity of his meetings should not govern his presentation of truth. Neither should the evangelist's anxiety to obtain the greater financial assistance which larger audiences will furnish, deter him from preaching the searching truths of the everlasting gospel. The supreme aim in every series of meetings is to win men to Christ and persuade them to accept His last-day message. All other objectives should be subservient.
While some consider it wiser to present the testing truths to smaller groups of definitely interested hearers, others of us feel that these searching messages that constitute the heart of our witness should be given in the large meetings, and not in supplemental services. We believe that we minimize our possibilities of doing large things when we fail to present these distinctive truths to the general public in the major meetings.
We should never be ashamed nor afraid to preach the truth. On the contrary, we should be proud of our message and fearless in presenting it. True, care should be used not to offend unnecessarily; yet we must not be too fearful of driving people away. If it be our manner or method that offends, it should be modified; but if the truth displeases, this should not cause us to hesitate. Many will go away regardless of every caution; some turned away from the Saviour's teaching. But this did not prevent His giving a straight message in love and with tact.
In giving the pointed, clear-cut truth, we have the Lord's promise that His word shall not return unto Him void. This should encourage us in our evangelism. Believing this promise, we need not fear. Results are assured not alone in eternity, but during the meetings. Even though the outlook may be discouraging at times, as in Christ's ministry, yet faithfully pushing ahead will assuredly bring satisfactory results in the end.
Fearfulness in giving the full message will likely beget weaklings among our converts. Though for a time such may stay in the church under such a policy, after the evangelist leaves, there will probably be many apostasies. We must win people to Christ and His uncompromising truth, and not to the speaker. The great test of one's work is the steadfastness of his converts, and this quality is fostered by faithful instruction. The real strength, therefore, of an evangelist's work lies in giving the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. Clearly this is no time for compromise.
Manchester, England.
