The purpose of the Bible Workers' Problem Hour was to give opportunity for our Bible workers to meet together where they could discuss their more intimate Problems with greater freedom than was possible in the regular Bible worker meetings at which the evangelists were invited to be present. The first round-table hour was therefore arranged for Bible workers only, and it proved to be so popular that two more such meetings were arranged for. The round-table discussions will appear in this and subsequent issues of the Ministry, and the discussions of the two scheduled Bible workei meetings will appear in the forthcoming book which is to contain the presentations of the Evangelistic Council and Ministerial Association meetings.
M. A. H.
Bible workers, as a group, seldom talk shop, for the simple reason that they seldom have opportunity to function as a group. We usually lead a "lone wolf" sort of life. However, that doesn't mean that we do not enjoy discussing our own peculiar problems as does any other professional group. This fact was well proved by the full attendance and enthusiastic participation in the round-table discussions at the three unscheduled meetings for Bible workers held in connection with the forty-fourth session of the General Conference.
These three meetings, termed "problem hours," were separate and distinct from the two scheduled Bible workers' meetings at the Ministerial Association Hour to which evangelists and ministers were invited. Here, on the contrary, the brethren were asked not to attend; and, led by our chairman, Miss Mary Walsh of the New Jersey Conference, and members of the Ministry staff, we got down to a heart-to-heart discussion of problems which vitally affect us as workers in this cause.
"The Bible Worker's Personal Appearance" was an example of the practicality of our talks. This topic was first presented by Miss Reathel Jenkins of Ventura, California, and, when thrown open for general discussion, called forth opinions and convictions that were varied, and at times forceful. The last word was said for all of us by Miss Rose Boose of Santa Ana, California, when she quoted Philippians 4:3, 4 as our guiding principle in matters of dress and personal adornment as in other more vital problems. A thoroughly converted sister, while avoiding all vulgar and unnecessary adornment, will never seek to lay down set rules by which all other sisters must be measured.
Someone called for a discussion of fitting topics to use for Bible studies when bringing about a decision. This brought forth a spirited and helpful exchange of ideas. A list of eight decision subjects and experiences were suggested as being very helpful. [This list, together with an epitome of the leading discussions, will appear in the July and August issues.—Editor.]
Our chairman, Miss Walsh, warned us against waiting too long before seeking a decision by our readers. We should not be diffident about asking, "What are you going to do about this truth?" at the completion of each point of our doctrine.
The use and value of picture machines in giving Bible studies was discussed pro and con. Those who use them were most enthusiastic; those who do not use them were a bit skeptical of their worth. One worker suggested that pictures are useful in reviewing the previous study to fasten down points of doctrine already taught, and especially in early meetings for the interested, preceding the evening evangelistic services. Pictures are also effective in dealing with Catholics and others not familiar with the Bible, and in presenting the truth to mothers with young children who are likely to distract attention from a formal Bible study. We were reminded that no slide or film strip, however interesting, could ever take the place of a personal exploration of the Scriptures, guided by a competent and consecrated teacher.
The value of children's meetings, not only to gain the interest of the youngsters in the neighborhood of the evangelistic meetings, but to be a means of attracting their parents, and hence of furnishing inexpensive advertising, was presented most ably by Miss Ernestine Volkers of Santa Ana, California. These meetings must not degenerate into mere storytelling hours to amuse children, but are to present our message in such a manner that a child can grasp it. Children will repeat at home what they have heard, and many parents will be led to attend the evening meetings to hear more clearly the intriguing truths of which they have already received a glimpse.
By popular request, Miss Walsh, herself a convert from Catholicism, gave us a very practical discussion on "How to Deal With Catholics." With the Catholics increasing in numbers and influence on every side, no Bible worker can afford to shut her eyes to the challenge of the question. The leaders of this religious system have been highly trained and are adepts at specious argument, and unless we know our Bibles and are thoroughly grounded on the points of our belief, we shall be ignominiously defeated in contacts with them.
However, Seventh-day Adventism proves the error of Catholicism, and if we but understand the use of the tools at our disposal, we shall be able to give the truth to the honest in heart among our Catholic friends, who, after all, are included in "every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people." The speaker said that there are eighteen points with the Scriptural refutation of which we should be familiar. The Bible-worker group expressed their earnest hope that these points might be soon placed in permanent form and made available to them.
These extra sessions have been of much practical value—truly a cup of cold water held out to us who would pause in the midst of the contest to seek refreshment. Yet we are sensible of the fact that such a privilege of mutual refreshing is unusual and cannot often be accorded us. Still, we have access to the columns in THE MINISTRY. Sister Bible workers, let us continue sharing our problems and our experiences through the medium of its pages.
The Bible Worker's Personal Appearance
Reathel Jenkins (Ventura, California) : The subject of personal appearance is one that affects all of us. Like the minister and the minister's wife, the Bible worker must be an example in her appearance as well as in word and deed. There is no stipulated form of dress for the Bible worker. Sometimes I wish there were; then perhaps we wouldn't make so many mistakes. Like the minister's, our dress should usually be of dark material. Dark costumes are more serviceable and probably more distinguished looking. However, light materials can be worn well. Extremes should be avoided ;n dress, hat, and shoes. The message loses its effectiveness for me when the speaker in public places has extremely short sleeves, or low neck, or a very short skirt, or high heels, or wears worldly, fashionable clothing, with perhaps a ridiculous hat. We know what a problem it is today to get a suitable hat that is not extreme, and yet a hat adds a great deal to one's costume if it is modest. In i Thessalonians 5:22 we are admonished to "abstain from all appearance of evil." By all means avoid using jewelry and make-up.
On the other hand, we should avoid an untidy, slipshod manner of dress. Tidiness should mark the costume of the Bible worker, her hair, her face, and her fingernails. Her clothes and her person should be clean. A Bible worker should be an example of the Book she teaches, and adorned in modest apparel. Her life fragrant with the breath of heaven, her hands clean, her heart pure, she is to glorify God. Her manner and her bearing should be dignified, with her message more prominent than her dress. Her dress is at all times to be appropriate for the time and the place. She is an ambassador from heaven, and in Christ's stead is reconciling men to Him. If we recognize that the seal of God will not be placed upon a proud, self-loving person, it makes us realize the magnitude of our task in setting a right example, for we are trying to prepare people to meet the approval of God.
Addie Mae Kalar (Nebraska Conference) : It is really economy to buy the best materials that one is able to afford. That would apply to food and everything else. I tell my readers that some Seventh-day Adventists may be critical and extreme about their dress, but it is not the policy of the denomination that Seventh-day Adventists wear cheap clothing or eat a poor quality of food.
Mary Walsh (New Jersey Conference) : A few days ago a woman told me that the Bible worker does not dress in keeping with her profession. I asked what she had in mind. Were we too fashionable, or what was the difficulty ? She thought that Bible workers do not dress well enough. They ought to be well groomed. I have been looking over our group of ministers, and they are all well groomed, are they not ? That is the way it should be. There are no unharmonious colors displayed. An evangelist once said, "I love red, and I would like to go down to a store and buy a red necktie." But he avoided that. He did not wear a red necktie in the pulpit or about his work. Today people go much on appearance. A person may have an outstanding personality, and yet, if he is not well groomed, the professional and business world does not respect him.
I feel that those charged with the Bible work should be well dressed. When I first entered the Bible work I received $7 a week salary, and paid $4 a week for a room. You can see how much I had left for food and clothing and other needs. But things have changed. Ministerial interns get twice that, and we Bible workers get a salary that enables us to dress appropriately.
Should we have a number of cheap dresses or a few good ones? Now, everyone cannot wear the same color ; we all recognize that. The Spirit of prophecy bears that out. I believe our dresses should be made to fit, rather than look as though they were thrown on. When it comes to making our own dresses, I am not going to ask how many do that. Is it convenient to make our own clothing? Do we have time to do it? In these days, with such a program of busy activity, do we really have time to spend in making our own clothing? Is it profitable? [Answer: "No."] I believe a Bible worker can go into a good store and get a dress that will fit and that is in keeping with her profession, and get it just as reasonably as she can make it.
On the matter of harmonious colors in dress, like to watch a little bird. How harmoniously colored it is. So are all things in nature. When it comes to our dress, it should be the same. Should we be clean? Of course, we must be. Our clothes should not only be of good material, but should be kept pressed and clean. Then, of course, there is the appearance of the hair. Our hat and our shoes and all our apparel should be in keeping with the message.
I believe we as Bible workers should be well groomed. Sometimes I have known Bible workers who have given the impression to their readers or their church that they were poor, their salary too small. I believe that not one note should be sounded along that line. I like for the people to feel that I am rich. I dislike anything that bears on cheapness. I know one minister who made a failure in his field because his companion always gave the impression that they were in need, and it militated against that worker. Such an attitude militates against the Bible worker also.
Children's Meetings as an Adjunct
Ernestine Volkers (Santa Ana, California) : When we were asked to suggest topics for consideration in the Bible workers' meetings during the General Conference session, my thoughts turned at once to a phase of the work in which I am particularly interested. I believe that one very effective way to reach those not of our faith is by conducting children's meetings in connection with evangelistic meetings. (And I do not mean mere storytelling to entertain.) A suggestion on this work is found in the "Testimonies," Volume IV:
"Parents who can be approached in no other way are frequently reached through their children. Sabbath school teachers can instruct the -children in the truth, and they will, in turn, take it into the home circle. But few teachers seem to understand the importance of this branch of the work."—Page 70.
By analyzing this statement, one may arrive at the following conclusions : (I) One of heaven's appointed methods for reaching souls is to work through non-Adventist children. (2) This means is so effective that through it we can reach individuals who would not otherwise be reached. (3) This work is not being done because but a very few recognize it as an effective means for saving souls.
Those who step out in a God-given plan, after careful preparation and prayer, will be rewarded by Heaven with results comparable to their faith and effort. The fact that the plan is not being followed need not frighten a worker if the plan is Heaven inspired and the worker follows divine leading. The goals one might expect to attain in this work are:
1. The instruction and conversion of children.
2. The instruction of parents by the children.
3. The use of children as an advertising agent.
Children are able to persuade parents to attend evening meetings when other methods fail. There is something about a child's eager, upturned face, full of expectancy and earnestness, that causes a parent to say "yes" to his requests. He does not like to see a shadow of disappointment come over the little face because of a firm refusal. Any evangelistic company that does not capitalize on this effective, but inexpensive, means of advertising, has certainly failed in utilizing all the means at its disposal for increasing attendance at the evening meetings.
Let us first consider the parents of these children. It is only human to be proud of a child who can explain a thought clearly and tell what he has learned at a lecture or meeting. And if he' is your own child, you marvel at his brilliancy. And what child is there who does not revel in going home and giving to an appreciative listener a glowing, enthusiastic report of what he has learned?
The parent will listen the whole story through, whereas a gospel worker would not get even a respectable start in going over the very same points. Once the interest is aroused by the child, the parent will be more easily persuaded to attend the evening meeting. As for the child, the Saviour Himself said, "Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven." Thus a child has the advantage of already possessing the qualifications necessary for true and acceptable conversion. The adult has to reach back to his childhood and somehow gain again the trust, faith, sincerity, and simplicity he lost as he grew up.
The time to convert a person is in his childhood. Catholics recognize the importance of this, for they say, Give us a child until he is seven and he will always remain a Catholic. But in our evangelistic campaigns the unconverted children and youth are sadly neglected.
So often we are prone to put the cart before the horse and convert the grandparents and the parents, fondly hoping that they will bring the children to Sabbath school. Then, later we expect them to send their children to the church school, where they can eventually be converted by having their religious instruction stretched over a period of time, whereas much of this instruction could be given in an intensive campaign in the children's meetings, right along with the effort. Many children rebel at being sent to Sabbath school, or at having their day school changed when they have not been convinced on the idea themselves. And so the work of their salvation goes on slowly.
I believe that when children reach the age of accountability they should understand the teachings and doctrines of the Bible according to their ability to comprehend—which is greater than we generally give credit for—and should make their own decisions for Christ early. They, in turn, by the example of a steadfast Christian life, and by the knowledge they impart to others, can and will bring both children and adults to Christ. In the time of the Reformation, children were used by God to preach the message of the judgment hour. In "The Great Controversy" we are told that before Christ's second coming children will again be used to preach the message. I believe with all my heart that the Lord wants us to teach and train the children.
But the teaching of children must be "here a little, and there a little ;" else not much will be gained. Instead of giving the instruction as a stereotyped, exhaustive (and exhausting!) study on a doctrinal subject, we should teach the youth in an interesting manner. Object talks, drills, songs and choruses, projector films and slides, charts and diagrams, and other means can be used to cover definite subjects, dropping thoughts here a little and there a little, each point in its proper setting.
For example, on the subject of the good and evil angels, the Biblical account of Lucifer's fall could be illustrated by use of the projector. In this way the children will learn that Satan is a real being and that there are evil angels. The work of the good angels can be shown by telling Biblical and modern stories, showing the real presence and help of the good angels. An object talk, using a magnet, could be given to demonstrate the powers at work in our lives. Selected Bible verses on the subject could be memorized and drilled with flash cards, and the music might well include the learning of a chorus on angels.
The meetings of the whole series should be planned in advance, with the subjects to be taught carefully listed, in order that a comprehensive course in Bible doctrines may be given during the course of the meetings. Consecration services should be a part of the course. Important Scriptures selected for memorizing should be included in the plans. The Bible prophecies, with their historical setting, are especially enjoyed by the children. They delight in explaining the twenty-three hundred days. The children should be taught to pray, and how to exercise faith without presumption. We should lay such a firm foundation that no one can tear it down.
I am confident that if earnest, consecrated efforts are put forth to instruct and win the children, many of them, and their parents and friends as well, will be brought to a saving knowledge of this message who might otherwise never have known this truth.
