In public efforts, in revival services, and at the annual camp meetings, there are times when the Lord works very tenderly upon human hearts. Altar calls are frequently made to the unconverted and backslidden, and to those who may have become discouraged or who have grown cold in the way. Such calls are in God's order, and when properly conducted become most fruitful for good. More and more such calls are being made in connection with our various meetings in the mission fields. However, in many places these calls have to be made much differently than they are so often made to a European congregation. Many times the altar call has to be made through an interpreter, and when this is the case, one needs to use extra care. The interpreter must have very clearly in mind the nature and the object of the call before it is made by the minister, or very little good will be accomplished thereby. An observation or two in this connection may prove helpful. The making of a call at camp meetings or at other times when thousands are assembled is not an easy task. This is especially true when one is working with primitive peoples whose hearts have been touched with the fires of God's Spirit. It is a time when the speaker will need to handle the matter guardedly. It is also a time when both the speaker and the interpreter will need to understand fully every step that is to be taken in making the call. Unless care is exercised, the results will be most unsatisfactory, and mass movement to the front will be seen. When such a movement as this takes place, it is very difficult to distinguish between those who have already given their hearts to God and those who may be coming forward for the first time.
During the last fourteen years of service in the mission field, it has been my privilege to employ and observe a number of different methods in making calls. Some methods were very successful, and some were far from satisfactory. I have seen a few speakers draw such a mass movement that they could not handle it, and the service closed in confusion. But this need not be. In fact, it will not be, if both the speaker and the interpreter understand beforehand the procedure to be followed. Because of space limitations, I will mention only one method here, which has been followed by some with a good degree of success in large camp meetings in the mission field.
Divide Call into Three Parts (1) The call to Christian people who are baptized members. (2) The call to those in the Bible class, preparing for baptism. (3) The call to the unconverted, or heathen. Of course, it is very essential in making such a threefold call as this, for both speaker and interpreter to go over every point in detail, so that there will be no slip in the matter. It has been my experience, when time is taken to acquaint the interpreter with every step, so that he actually knows what you expect, to have everything work out smoothly, and a really helpful service conducted. Now let us look at the three phases of the call.
(1) Let the first call be made in particular to the baptized members of the church. Scores of these dear souls have come to the meeting for special help. They need a new spiritual uplift. They want to express publicly their gratitude to God. They want to seek Him for power to overcome some besetting sin. They want to be prayed for, that they may go back with new power to press on the upward way. Assure these needy people that the Lord loves them, and is present to hear their heartfelt cry for pardon and a new life in Christ. Invite them to stand to their feet and remain there quietly. Let the rest of the congregation remain seated.
Make it clear at this juncture that you are now appealing only to baptized members. They will understand, if you have explained it clearly to the interpreter prior to the service. If anyone else should happen to stand, a deacon or an elder can have such an individual sit down. To this first call nearly all the church will respond. Then in order to get still closer to those who are in special need, speak of a few of the most troublesome sins found in the church. Have those who are struggling for victory hold up their hands, so that you can remember them in a definite way in prayer. A number will raise their hands. Assure them that they will be mentioned particularly before the throne of grace.
Following this appeal, have the church members sit down again. They need not come forward. Thus you have the first part of the call taken care of without any confusion whatsoever.
(2) The second appeal is made in particular to those who are members of the Bible classes, preparing for baptism. They have already given their hearts to God, and are looking forward to becoming members of the Lord's family- a little later. One can handle this class in much the same manner as the first call, and can have them to be seated, also, without coming to the front. In these two calls a very large part of the congregation has received attention without any disturbance at all.
(3) The speaker is now ready to proceed with the third part of his call—that which deals primarily with the unconverted, those who have never surrendered to the Lord or given up their heathen ways. They have never known the saving power of the gospel. To these, the speaker can now make the most fervent appeals without affecting any of the others in the congregation. Invite them to stand up for Jesus and give their heart to Him. Tell them of how Christ died for them, that they, in turn, might be delivered from the powers of darkness and receive the promise of everlasting life. While making this call, it is well to invite some of the teachers or other workers present to move around quietly among the people, so as to help any who may need a word of encouragement. Sing a few songs while the appeal is being made. Have the church members and the Bible class members bow their heads in silent prayer and ask God to help their friends and relatives. All this serves to bring in a very reverent and subdued spirit.
Some will soon stand in response to the call of the Spirit's entreaty. Have them come to the front. Then call for others among the unconverted to stand and come forward to join those who have already responded. Do not rush this part of the service, and do not try to work upon the emotions of the people. Simply let the Spirit of God do its work of grace. In this way, the speaker will get very close to the hearts of many of the heathen and the unconverted. He is now reaping tangible results which it would be difficult to secure by using some other method of a more general nature. It has often been my good pleasure to witness very satisfactory results following a call of this nature. One feels he is getting somewhere with this kind of altar call, and can know very clearly the unconverted who are coming to Christ for the first time.
When this third call is completed, have the entire congregation stand for prayer. Be sure to mention all three classes and their individual needs when making supplication to the throne of mercy. At the close of the service, dismiss all but those who have come forward. These should remain for the aftermeeting, during which time the teachers and the ministers can secure their names, give them further help, and arrange for them to join the Bible class at the proper time and place.
By following the foregoing procedure, a mass movement is avoided, and those in charge of the service can really know the number of new converts. Such a plan is in many ways preferable to any other when working among a primitive people. It affords opportunity for the speaker and the interpreter to work the more harmoniously in these matters which have such a vital bearing upon the entire congregation. Too, if the interpreter can understand and grasp the trend of thought beforehand, and the method of making the call, this will avail far more for the salvation of poor, benighted souls than would be the case where no careful planning or forethought is given to the matter.
