The Bible worker's connection with the large evangelistic campaign involves many phases of responsibility. One, however, seems more important than any other, and therein lies the success of her work. "I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto Me." John 12:32. Our only reason for being in the Bible work is to lead souls to Christ, and we often wonder how we can best do this.
In this scripture, God gives us the true method of leading souls to Himself. How can we expect men and women to find Jesus if we do not present Him as having been lifted up from the earth? Jesus said, "I . . . will draw all men unto Me." Jesus by His Holy Spirit will do the drawing; but it is our part to lift Him up. We are admonished that every point of faith should be presented in the light that streams from the cross of Calvary, and that Christ should be the center of every Bible study and sermon. In conducting Bible teachers' training classes, I always urge the students to make this their working plan. Fearing they may fail to do so, in the suggestive outline given them I include texts of Scripture presenting Jesus dying on the cross for our sins, as an appeal at the close. Surely no study should terminate without an appeal to accept Christ, either for the first time or more fully into the heart.
In following an extensive interest in connection with the large evangelistic campaign, the worker must rearrange her usual mode of procedure. During the first few weeks of the campaign, when the worker has from fifty to one hundred fifty homes to visit weekly, just a call at the, door, inquiring whether or not the literature has been received, is sufficient. Unless extremely urgent, invitations to enter the homes should be refused, thus preventing the idea from entering the mind of the interested person that the worker is there to bother or push herself forward. Instinctively there is created in that person's mind a real desire to see the worker again and to have more of a visit.
The chief purpose of these first calls is to keep the people coming to the meetings and to gain an entrance into the hearts of the interested ones. After several such calls are made, cordial invitations to enter are extended and should then be accepted. The interested person, having made the advance, is eager for the worker to consume the precious moments. No time is lost with long recitals of family history, etc. The individual has been impressed by the lectures, the extremely different atmosphere attending them, also the attitude of the worker during her brief calls. He is sure something important will be presented, and that something unusual will be enjoyed during that visit. It may be some topic presented has upset his previous way of thinking, and he seeks help.
This first real visit is very important. The tactful worker will ascertain rather clearly the spiritual standing of the person (or persons), and will see how the truths presented have impressed him. The worker will never enter into controversy over a point that is challenged. If there is an objection, and prejudice or stubbornness is seen, the conversation should be turned to Jesus Christ and His love, His forgiveness of sins, and the heavenly home He is preparing. When the heart is softened by the Holy Spirit's presence (which always comes when Christ is uplifted), and the person shows evidence of surrender to Christ, the differences in opinion on doctrine may be very easily straightened out. On the other hand, if the worker endeavors to give a study on the controverted point and "set the person right," very often the wall of prejudice will be made stronger, and may never be broken down. If the latter course were followed, and the individual were convinced theoretically on the point, still there is no gain if the heart remains unchanged. He is just as far from salvation as ever, since a head religion saves no one.
The recital of an experience which occurred in one of our large meetings may serve to illustrate this point. The interested person was a member of the Christian Church. She was an active worker, having brought several to acceptance of Christ and baptism. Upon hearing the Sabbath question presented at the tabernacle, she objected seriously. Many of her friends who were ministers sent her long lists of objections to Sabbath keeping, and she was very much disturbed. Carefully I brought the conversation to Christ and His love, and His imputed and imparted righteousness. I expressed my happiness over being able to know we are accepted and that there is a crown waiting for us. Immediately the woman was eager to learn how she might know that.
In the scene that followed, Jesus came very near; and when we arose from our knees, that woman had obtained something she had never experienced before. The lengthy documents sent by the zealous friends, were quickly gone over and each objection met by God's word. Many times, before I could make an explanation, she, being taught by the Holy Spirit, asked me to pass on to the next. She took her stand with God's remnant church, was rebaptized, and is rejoicing in her new-found faith. As Bible workers and ministers, let us preach Christ—"Christ crucified—talk it, pray it, sing it, and it will break and win hearts."—Mrs. E. G. White. in Review and Herald, June 2, 1903.
(To be continued)
San Diego, Calif.
