Let Us Foster Laymen Efforts

Recently I was asked to be guest speaker at a successful laymen's effort. A promi­nent Seventh-day Adventist physician in the professional center of New York City, with an­other talented layman, is head of their organ­ization. The doctor is a very busy man in his profession, but has a sincere desire to help fin­ish the work, and is co-operating closely with the conference leaders.

Arriving early at the auditorium, which was favorably located and well lighted, I found many activities. The soloist was trying over her selection with the pianist, both of whom were professional in their line. The violinist was adjusting her music stand. One of the brethren was placing the motion picture ma. chine, while another was putting up the screen. Still another was arranging the pulpit and platform. Others were distributing the song hooks and arranging the seats. At the entrance one of the church members was placing litera­ture on display for sale. On the other side of the door was a table where another stood ready to give out programs, free literature, note paper and pencils. Ushers were at their appointed places.

The doctor took me into an adjoining room, where sixteen people were attending the home nurses' class. They had been in session an hour before the opening of the service. About half of the class were Seventh-day Adventists. The nurse in charge was a postgraduate hos­pital graduate. She is assistant supervisor of the Brooklyn Visiting Nurses' Association, is studying for an A. B. degree in Teachers' Col­lege, and is a representative member of the church.

The time came for the opening of the meet­ing. The class adjourned, people began to ar­rive, and at 7:30 about eighty were seated. A half hour of music, song, and appropriate mo­tion pictures was enjoyed. The presence of the Spirit of God was felt at every stage of the eve­ning service.

This effort will compare favorably with any held under conference direction. Those con­ducting it, of course, are following the counsel of the brethren. Many books were sold, a lib­eral offering was received, names were secured for Bible studies, and as the pleasant, "Good night, come again next Sunday night," was ex­tended at the close of the service, I thought, "What a wonderful thing it would be if there were a thousand such efforts being held throughout the world!"

We talk much about the laymen arising for the finishing of the work of God on earth. We hold institutes, pass recommendations, and preach about our task never being finished until the men and women comprising our church membership rally to the work and unite their efforts with those of ministers and church officers. But are we giving this idea the tan­gible encouragement that we should and could?

There are members in our churches who are highly qualified to give this message. There are those who love this truth, who are zealous in seeing more souls won to it, and who are consecrated to the one ambition of finishing God's work in the earth. In our churches there are good organizers, singers, organists, pian­ists, players of many instruments, choir leaders, and general all-round gospel workers. God can stir these to action, and there is no power on earth that can stop them. The laymen's move­ment is of divine origin.

Can we not give more freedom to our faithful members who love this cause as we do? Can we not help them plan like efforts in our churches? I, for one, am studying how I can co-operate with laymen who would be glad to support just such a soul-winning enterprise. Nearly every member I, have received into church fellowship during 1933 has been won by our laity. Our plans for 1934 are along this line. Our conference has launched a "Win One" campaign for 1934, which means that it recog­nizes God's providences among the lay mem­bers of our churches, and we believe God will bless such a plan.

Peekskill, N. Y.