The old adage, "It is better to set twenty men to work than to attempt to do the work of twenty men," is worthy of our consideration as pastors and district leaders. We have been counseled for years by the servant of the Lord that one of our first duties is to train our lay members for service. But not until recently have we really encouraged those of latent ability among us to conduct regular hall meetings on a self-supporting basis. This is an advance step, and personally I have much faith in the plan as a means of quickly reaching many sections where it will be impossible for our regular workers to conduct a series of evangelistic meetings.* If such talent can be found, why not put it to work, and thus hasten the coming of our Saviour?
For the past two years I have had the privilege of trying out this plan in Jacksonville, the largest city in Florida, where we have a good-sized church. Recognizing that there were several in our congregation who had more or less ability as speakers, I encouraged them to start a series of meetings of their own. The project being a new one, it was not so easy to get the fullest cooperation of the church; but with the assured support of several consecrated laymen we decided to make the venture, believing that a practical demonstration would prove its teas-ability to one and all.
Our conference president was . enthusiastic over the plan, as was also his committee. They advanced us a small sum of money and lent us a number of chairs with which to seat a moderate-sized storeroom, which we rented in a residential section for $10 a month. This was made to look attractive, signs were painted by local members, and the meetings began.
In our first effort we selected five laymen as speakers. Our purpose in this was to "try them out," to give each a chance to develop, but most of all to give each speaker a whole week in which to prepare his assigned subject. I endeavored to have a second speaker in readiness to step in and assist in the event a speaker "fell down," the meaning of which some of us preachers know by experience. I endeavored to keep myself in the background, but coached each one in a personal way as far as possible, prayed with them, pointed out ways in which they could improve, and even helped them prepare their sermon notes. It was really remarkable how they developed, and our own members who attended were surprised to see how well they did. I had reason to be proud of my class and saw great possibilities for the future. We had some excellent meetings and quite an interest was aroused in that section.
In our next effort we chose just two speakers, and encouraged the others to start a series of meetings in another section. By this time more chairs were available, and we could keep two efforts running if desired. Part of the time we have had two series in progress, with our regular church services going on as usual. Generally a third member acts as usher or operates the stereopticon.
The fifth effort is now in progress, and another will be started in the near future. The brethren now see the possibility of warning every section of this city, and plan to keep one or two efforts going continuously. The donations now take care of all expenses. Later they hope to branch out in the surrounding counties where we have no churches. In a recent revival service which I conducted in our church, I baptized sixteen candidates, some of whom
"Needless to say, my whole heart and soul is in this laymen's movement, and the wonder to me is that so many pastors are so reluctant to try It out. and are fearful of its effect upon their work. Even one of the elders here looked at the project askance and doubted its practicability, urging that we give our attention to cottage meetings instead. He was also afraid that we would get ourselves involved financially ; but outside of about $35 which the conference invested in the plan, it has been entirely self-supporting, and we have some equipment to show for what the conference did expend. We also have a cash balance of about $20 in our 'hall-effort fund,' and expect to build it up still more without one penny of expense to the church, even for literature."—Excerpt from author's accompanying personal letter.
were brought into the full knowledge of the truth through these laymen's efforts. The entire church has experienced the greatest revival in years. A number of our young people and children have been converted, and our membership has become burdened for the salvation of souls. Some of the sisters have started cottage meetings, some are taking up colporteur work and magazine selling, and still others are thinking of going out into the surrounding counties and attempting something for God.
It will be readily seen that this work is of God, and has become a great asset to the church. While it seemed that it took considerable time to get it started, time that I might have spent in conducting a meeting of my own, yet I maintain that getting others to work has really accomplished more than I could possibly have done myself. In no way has it hindered me in carrying on my regular church work, and in every way it has become a great asset to the church.
I might say that it has only been by request that I have written this article for the MI\[8'f11Y, and my only purpose in doing so is to inspire and encourage our other pastors and district leaders to give the plan a trial. It is of the Lord, and to Him alone belongs all the glory.
Jacksonville, Fla.
