The evangelist of the advent movement stands out in bold relief, distinct from all his forebears in this field of endeavor. Not that his calling is any more sacred than that which has constituted the gospel ministry in every generation; but that his is a more distinctive and exacting one because of the nature of his duty, his environment, and his message.
His work is a distinctive one because it must be accomplished in the last generation—amid the deceptions, iniquity, unbelief, indifference, difficulties, and judgments of the last days. His is the final word of warning and entreaty to a world reeling toward its destruction. It is exacting because it is final. It is freighted with greater urgency than any in the past. He finds at his command the wonders of invention and discovery far beyond any previous period of the world's history which may, if rightly used, add speed and facility to his work of giving the everlasting gospel. It is exacting also because his message must meet the onslaughts of Satan as he works "with all power and signs and lying wonders," and "with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish."
But if the evangelist, called of God in these last days, must face the working of Satan in all his fury and strength in the midst of a world sold out to sin, he also has the privilege of witnessing and experiencing the final triumphs of Christ over the evil one and the glorious victory ushering in the return of his Lord and Master. What a glorious privilege! What an honor above all other honors, is this to which the evangelist is now called!
No more distinctive and exacting is his calling than is the life he must live. His spirit, his deportment, his example, his faith, are to be just as definite as his calling. Unusual earnestness and zeal will consume him, until all that he says and does before unsaved men and women will witness alike to the sincerity of his soul and the truthfulness of his preaching.
All professionalism will be absent from him. All egotism and love of the approbation and praise of men will give place to "an eye single to His glory." A mere desire to be great will not animate such a life. On the other hand, he will not be apologetic, but will possess rather a holy boldness, accompanied by a meek, quiet, humble, and contrite spirit.
The New Testament has much to say about this boldness. We frequently use the text, "They took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus." But what does it mean? The record says, "When they saw the boldness of Peter and John." It is clear that in the minds of the people the life of Jesus was associated with the thought of boldness. The apostle Paul says that he declared the truth "with all boldness," and the effect of that truth was startling upon himself as well as upon those who heard. In other words, conviction breeds conviction. Hear him say again: "In nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death." Over and over throughout the writings of the apostles our attention is called in a striking way to a boldness that is not arrogance, or simply self-assertion or dogmatism, but a boldness in authority that has its birth in a sense of the mighty consequences that are at issue—the importance and imminence of a decision that outreaches time and thought.
The consciousness of being sent of God, of being the ambassador of Christ, animated the apostolic evangelist. He had caught the spirit of Christ and His passion for souls. The disciples had understood Him to say: "As Thou hast sent Me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world." The evangelist of the third angel's message must catch this spirit, this consecration.
Such should be his consecration to God's will that he will be willing to live and labor unknown, and to toil and sacrifice in obscurity, if need be, receiving nought but the approval and approbation of God for his service. Such will be his soundness of principle and steadfastness for truth that he will seek only to please the One whom he represents and whose call he has heard.
We very much like the following statements from the Spirit of prophecy regarding the evangelist of the present hour:
"We must also have, in our cities, consecrated evangelists through whom a message is to be borne so decidedly as to startle the hearers." —"Testimonies," Vol. IX, p. 137.
"They are to show their growth in grace by submission to the will of Christ. Thus they will gain a rich experience. As in faith they receive, believe, and obey Christ's word, the efficiency of the Holy Spirit will be seen in their lifework. There will be an intensity of earnest effort. There will be cherished a faith that works by love, and purifies the soul. The fruits of the Spirit will be seen in the life." —"Gospel Workers," p. 355.
"We are living in a time when even greater earnestness is needed than in the apostles' day. But among many of the ministers of Christ there is a feeling of unrest, a desire to imitate the romantic style of modern revivalists, a desire to do something great, to create a sensation, to be accounted able speakers, and gain for themselves honor and distinction. If such could encounter perils and receive the honor given to heroes, they would engage in the work with unflagging energy. But to live and labor almost unknown, to toil and sacrifice for Jesus in obscurity, receiving no special praise from men,—this requires a soundness of principle and a steadfastness of purpose that but few possess. Were there a greater effort to walk humbly with God, looking away from men, and laboring only for Christ's sake, far more would be accomplished. . . . Let ministers and people remember that gospel truth ruins if it does not save."—"Testimonies," Vol. V, p. /32434.
We wish to add this also:
"Take no glory whatever to yourself. Do not work with a divided mind, trying to serve self and God at the same time. Keep self out of sight. Let your words lead the weary and heavy laden to carry their burdens to Jesus. Work as seeing Him who is at your right hand, ready to give you His efficiency and omnipotent power in every emergency. The Lord is your Counselor, your Guide, the Captain of your salvation. He goes before your face, conquering and to conquer."—Id., Vol. VI, p. 76.
Orlando, Fla.
(To be continued)
