Some people are inclined to regard an interpreter as an interrupter, but there are times when an interpreter is indispensable. It is interesting to recall that some of the greatest deeds recorded in the history of the people of God were accomplished through the aid of an interpreter. For instance, in leading Israel out of Egypt, Moses was very dependent upon the interpreter whom the Lord provided for him. Daniel became God's interpreter to King Belshazzar, of the handwriting on the wall. It was "as the Spirit gave them utterance" that the disciples were able to interpret the message of Pentecost to the representatives of "every nation under heaven" assembled at Jerusalem, and the results of this Spirit-filled interpretation led to the founding of the first Christian church.
One of the greatest problems in connection with the work among the foreign-speaking people in America is due to the lack of laborers speaking the different languages. Workers for these different nationalities are being educated as rapidly as possible, but why should the work be delayed in the meantime, and thousands of people die without a knowledge of truth? Much may be accomplished by the English-speaking pastors and evangelists who are laboring in centers where there are foreigners, organizing Bible classes for people of any or all nationalities represented, and conducting these classes through the aid of an interpreter.
In most of our larger English churches in the cities of the East, there may usually he found one or more members who speak a foreign language fluently, and yet have sufficient knowledge of English to act as interpreter for the minister; and such individuals are happy to be of assistance to the pastor in reaching people of their own nationality with the truth. The other members of the church should be enlisted to help in this extension of the gospel in the home-foreign field, by searching out the people of different nationalities and inviting them to join the pastor's Bible class conducted in their own language, and also by helping to supply the literature which is needed. This method of using an interpreter has been successfully employed by a number of city pastors, and has resulted in souls' being won to the truth. The great work of giving the gospel to the vast throng of foreigners who have come to this country cannot be accomplished through the efforts of foreign-speaking workers alone. We appeal to our American ministers to assist by organizing Bible classes for foreigners, and to follow the divinely indorsed plan of making use of an interpreter.
Los Angeles, Calif.
