One of the gravest perils that besets the ministry is the snare of drifting aimlessly along, without plan or program. We as workers differ from most other people in that we are masters of our own time. We can usually spend our days as we like, but herein lies our danger. It is so easy to fall into a "busy idleness." There is failure to distinguish between the important and the merely trivial things that consume time and dissipate energies. Through lack of concentration, our work is far less efficient than it might be. In the "Testimonies" we read:
"Men of God must be diligent in study, earnest in the acquirement of knowledge, never wasting an hour. Through persevering exertion they may rise to almost any degree of eminence as Christians, as men of power and influence. But many will never attain superior rank in the pulpit or in business, because of their unfixedness of purpose, and the laxness of habits contracted in their youth... . Men of business can be truly successful only by having regular hours for rising, for prayer, for meals, and for retirement. If order and regularity are essential in worldly business, how much more so in doing work for God !"—"Testimonies," Vol. IV, pp. 411, 412.
How, then, shall we arrange our daily program ? No set plan can be made to fit every life, but there are general principles that apply to all. First, as to orderliness and method in public life. In order for our public ministry to be "to the glory of God," there must be reverence and order. This can be accomplished only where there is thorough organization. The consciousness of our high calling will keep us from disorderliness and irreverence. Prayerful forethought, method, and punctuality should ever characterize our work in the church and public hall.
I cannot too strongly stress the importance of punctuality in commencing services and in keeping appointments. All the heavenly bodies, set in motion by the hand of God, move with absolute precision. In these days when there are ample facilities to obtain correct time, let us see that we are always punctual. To be dilatory is to be out of harmony with God, and leads to irreverence. The congregation is led to forget the majesty of God when the minister is careless in keeping his appointments with the Lord. If he is late, opportunity is afforded for worshipers to enter into conversation, with the consequent hum of irreverent chatter.
The order of service should be arranged before entering the pulpit. If more than the speaker are to occupy the rostrum, each should know his appointed part, and when to perform it. Giving instruction while on the platform should be avoided. There should also be uniformity in the act of kneeling in prayer. The Scripture lesson should be carefully selected and studied beforehand, so that it may be read impressively and with understanding. This will preclude the hasty turning of leaves in the Bible, during the opening hymn, to find "something to read." The hymns likewise should not be regarded as mere adjuncts, but as an exalted means of praising God. if the hymns are carelessly and hastily chosen, there will be discord in the harmony of worship and a lack of spiritual preparation for the message to follow.
It may seem superfluous to add that thoughtful preparation should be given to the sermon itself ; yet it is not unknown for a minister to stand up and preach from marginal references. When notes are used, they should be neatly prepared. To have them written on scraps of paper, or on the backs of envelopes, creates an unfavorable impression.
The stewards, or deacons, should be thoroughly instructed and organized to perform their duties. Due care should be given to keeping the doors closed against latecomers while the Scripture reading and prayer are in progress. Referring to the ministry of the Levites and the sacredness of their work, we are told that God "is as particular now as He was then. And He designs that we should learn lessons of order and organization from the perfect order instituted in the days of Moses."—Id., Vol. 1, p. 653. Again we read:
"If those who ministered in sacred office should fail to manifest care, and reverence for God, in their apparel and their deportment, the people would lose their awe and their reverence for God and His sacred service. If the priests showed great reverence for God, by being very careful and very particular as they came into His presence, it gave the people an exalted idea of God and His requirements."—Id., Vol. II, p. 652.
Visiting in the Homes
In addition to our work in the pulpit, we must go from house to house. In doing this work we need to maintain a proper balance of time, and have a clearly defined purpose. For the minister, the afternoon and the evening are the best times. For the Bible worker, especially in the early rush of a campaign and until definite times can be appointed for Bible studies, the morning often proves a better time. In the afternoon we should not arrange to call on people before two o'clock, and generally not after five. In the evening, unless there is a definite appointment, it is unwise to call later than nine-thirty.
Time and traveling expense are greatly economized by grouping visits into districts; and one needs to have a plan flexible enough to allow for some of the people to be out. A record should be kept, indicating the date of the last call, and whether prayer was had. The minister is thereby able to maintain regularity in his visiting, and can guard against too frequent visits to those who are especially responsive. Thus, careful planning will keep our work from sinking into a mere wandering about from house to house for brief social chats.
What we are in the home is reflected in our public life. We cannot automatically assume orderliness when we put on our preaching coats. Slipshod habits in private will display themselves to our congregations in public.
Regularity in eating, sleeping, and taking physical exercise enables a minister to accomplish more, and to keep physically fit. Neglect and carelessness in these matters must inevitably lessen the efficiency of a worker, and cut short the period of his usefulness.
Above every other matter in our home life is that of our private devotions. Let this be neglected and all activity in preaching and visiting will be powerless. We must take time to be holy, and we should spend much time in secret with Jesus alone. There must be a daily getting into tune with God, a daily baptism of the Holy Spirit. I like to think of the words of Hudson Taylor : "Don't have your concert first, and then tune your instrument. Begin the day with the word of God, and get into harmony with Him." There is no greater danger anywhere than that we shall fail in this matter of private devotions.
We so often persuade ourselves that we have no time. In any case, we think we are busy in the Lord's work. He knows how rushed we are with all the pressing duties connected with our work. But nevertheless the business affairs of evangelism, the letter writing, and the reading of the daily paper to keep abreast of the times, must all be sedulously subordinated to secret communion with God, for all else is of secondary importance. The prayer life must be cultivated before anything else. This will not be easy, as we may have found. It will call for stern discipline.
Some prefer to have their special appointment with God before breakfast. Others find it best to reserve a period after the morning meal and the family prayers are over. But no matter which we choose, there must be a definite time. By regularly going aside each day into the quietness of our study, or private room, we shall develop the habit of prayer, and the habit will become a fixed part of our life Then, fresh from converse with our Lord, we shall go forth to touch men and to lead them into living, loving union with God.
