Editorial

New Era Dawns for Evangelism

An editorial introduction and survey.

L.E.F. is editor of the Ministry.

What may doubtless be considered one of the most epochal assemblages of evangelists ever brought together in council during the years of this move­ment (to the time of this writing, December 24), has just become his­tory in the Municipal Auditorium at St. Louis, Missouri. Three hundred evangel­ists and pastors from twenty-six Central and Southern States, embracing the Central, Lake, Southern, and Southwestern Unions of North America, together with their union and local executives, Bible workers, and a few Bible teachers, gathered there for a seven-day con­vocation, from December 17-23.

A similar gathering for the Eastern States is about to take place, and will be reported in the next issue of the Ministry, designated the me­dium for recording the proceedings of these councils. A second thirty-two-page "evangelism special" of this journal will appear soon after the conclusion of the Philadelphia council, so as to combine the choicest contributions of both round-table discussions in one permanent report. And the many supplemental features which cannot be crowded into this second "special" will be spread over the remaining issues of the year.

The council just ended was unique in purpose and objective, differing materially from any ministerial gathering before held. The special studies were so clear and vital, the topics on the agenda were so comprehensive and essen­tial, the vision of our world task was so vivid and compelling, the secret and source of power for its accomplishment were so forcefully and practically presented, the technique and method of advancement were so plain and practical, and so consistent with both the spirit of the move­ment and the character of the times, that we may rightfully expect this council to mark the dawn of a new era in the expansion and con­summation of the advent movement.

A new vision of the central place of evangel­ism in all ministerial endeavor was brought be­fore us. A new understanding of the indis­pensability and the relationship of the Holy Spirit to all true soul winning, was borne home to our hearts. A new confidence in the divine origin, leading, and early development of this advent message was begotten by inescapable factual and documentary evidence. A better technique was disclosed by the rehearsal of the experiences and conclusions of our most fruit­ful evangelists. That the council was a pro­nounced success was the consensus of convic­tion.

The St. Louis council was, moreover, one of the most spiritual gatherings we have ever at­tended, blending the spiritual with the practi­cal in application to our great ministerial task. And there was conspicuous freedom of expres­sion throughout the sessions. The different conceptions and experiences reflected were each given considerate and respectful hearing. But such ultimate unity characterized the delibera­tions in all essentials that it may be said with­out reservation that, after discussion, the par­ticipants went forth as one man to face afresh the great challenge of a perishing world with lives dedicated anew to make the consumma­tion of this message the central purpose of all life and labor through ceaseless, aggressive evangelism.

W. H. Branson, vice-president of the General Conference for North America, gave the open­ing address, "Why Are We Here?" and then presided at all sessions. C. H. Watson, presi­dent of the General Conference, after the spe­cial first morning study, led in a series on the power and provision of the Holy Spirit for per­sonal preparation and for all true and suc­cessful public soul-winning achievement. L. E. Froom, of the Ministerial Association, gave a series of lectures on the rise and development of the advent message as disclosed through the matchless collection of our 4,000 advent source documents gathered and now housed in the General Conference vault. H. M. S. Richards, of the Pacific Union, and J. L. Slimier, of the Carolinas, served ably as visiting instructors in methods of evangelism, contributing vitally to the central objective of the council. W. L. Bur­gan, of the Press Bureau, gave much-appreci­ated instruction on the place and possibilities of the public press in evangelism. The round­table discussions, in which all participated, focalized on the unified expression of a vote or, occasionally, in more formal recommenda­tions brought in by appointed committees, and adopted by the body acting in the capacity of a representative group of ministers in non-legislative assemblage. The more important of these will appear subsequently.

On the last day of the feast there was a two-hour question box conducted by the chairman that was most helpful in clarifying principles and problems projected, and in summarizing the methods studied. The gist of this will like­wise appear in a later issue. In this number the opening address by the chairman, the intro­ductory Bible study in Elder Watson's daily series, the responsive symposium by the terri­torial leaders at this first (or St. Louis) coun­cil, appear in the order named. The symposial response from the Philadelphia council will ap­pear in March. The extempore spoken form of the addresses is largely retained, that our read­ers may share both spirit and letter of these blessed gatherings.                                          

L. E. F.

L.E.F. is editor of the Ministry.

February 1935

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More Articles In This Issue

Why Are Here?

Opening Address by W.H. Branson

Personal Power Our Primary Need

I believe sincerely that the church has never before faced such a time as this. Look at that fact how we will, there is but one inescapable conclusion to be reached; namely, that for its high service in this hour our church is in need of special preparation.

The Challenge of the Untouched Masses

Presentation and Symposial Response

The Symposial Response

Various responses from church leaders.

The Holy Roman Empire IX

In previous studies we reached the eighth century. Now we turn to the Franks and the Pope.

Editorial Keynotes

Our Supreme Need Part II

A Physician's Plea to Ministers No. 2

Years of close observation have led me to the inevitable conclusion that ministers as a rule eat far too much.

Roman Catholicism and the Scriptures

II—Tradition and Inspiration

Editorial Postscripts

From the Ministry back page.

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