How shall a Bible worker successfully carry on when left alone with a new church at the close of an effort, with not a single member who has previously been an Adventist, not one who can play or sing, not one who has been trained to act as Sabbath school superintendent, or who has ever taught in a Sabbath school; where opposition is so strong that people are timid, and hesitate to stand for God; and where most of the members are out of work, and can give little or nothing toward church expenses?
The Lord has but one plan. The worker must first of all recognize that success in any place or time is dependent, not on her own ability, but upon her unbroken connection with Heaven and her faith in God's power.
Then the worker must—
Do what the Lord commands, and believe what He promises. Joshua 1: 7-9; Isa. 55:11; John 15:5.
Exemplify Christ in the life to all with whom she comes in contact, the foes of the message as well as its friends. In a special sense she is a spectacle to men. John 14:7; Col. 1:27; 1 Tim. 4:9-15.
Be cheerful always. Prov. 17:22. A happy heart is not put on before the public and discarded when the worker is alone; it is a genuine experience, and is the privilege of every one who abides in Christ.
Deny self, take up her cross daily, and follow Christ, remembering the cross is not her heavy burdens and responsibilities, but the instrument upon which self is crucified. This will save the worker from self-pity, and enable her to abandon self for the sake of others. With self on the cross, she can look with pity upon those who oppose, realizing that "they know not what they do."
Teach the world, not talk of opposition. 2 Tim. 4:2.
Watch new believers as one who must give an account (Heb. 13:17), not failing to feed these "babes" (1 Peter 2:2), that they may grow in grace, and become able to teach others. Heb. 5:12-14. This will necessitate visiting them often to establish their belief in every phase of the message, and to encourage them when suffering persecution.
Visit interested ones once a week if possible. If there are no street cars or busses, this may require much walking and consume a great deal of time; but it is better to lose time than energy, and many are losing energy by walking too little.
Conduct Sabbath services and prayer meeting. Plan the details of the Sabbath school so they will be carried out smoothly. The early church met in an upper room and were "of one accord." As singing is a part of every service in which all can engage, those who cannot sing well should be encouraged to do their best, making melody in their hearts to the Lord. Eph. 5:19.
Make certain all bills for church expense are paid promptly. We are commanded to owe no man anything.
Logan, Ohio.
