Upon their arrival at the General Conference, the Bible workers were delighted to find that two special meetings had been planned for them. These came on the two Thursdays of the Conference. Elder L. E. Froom called the Bible workers together in a preliminary meeting, and a committee of five was appointed to plan the topics. Miss Mary Walsh, of New Jersey, was asked to act as chairman. The topics were selected from the subjects which had been sent in to the Ministerial Association in response to letters written to a representative group of Bible workers previous to the General Conference. Our first meeting came on Thursday, May 29. Many Bible workers from all sections of the United States were present, and also a goodly number of ministers. Altogether this important meeting was attended by more than two hundred.
The first topic was, "The Daily Program of the Bible Worker,"* with the key text, "Let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us : and establish Thou the work of our hands upon us ; yea, the work of our hands establish Thou it." The question which faces every Bible worker is : With such a varied and responsible program, how can I find time for the development of knowledge that will build for better and more efficient service? How can I find time for mental, physical, and spiritual improvement ?
If we rush from morning till night, busy here and there, many precious souls will escape our hands. We must take time for Him to speak to us. When we go forth to the day's duties, we must have the assurance that He has been invited, that He has promised, to do the work for us. Thus we may go with light and happy hearts, feeling sure that we can meet any emergency that may arise. Although the necessity of meditation, study, and prayer was emphasized, the development of the mind and the care of the body were also given attention. Miss Rose Boose led out in the discussion on this topic.
The next presentation was by Mrs. B. R. Spear. She discussed the Bible worker's relation to the right arm of the message as carried out in a Thursday night cooking school in connection with an effort conducted by her husband. Mrs. Spear has been most successful in this work. It was interesting to hear how all the materials used—the electrical appliances, the stove, the refrigerator, as well as all the groceries—were donated free of charge by the merchants of the city in which the effort was conducted. Mrs. Spear gives the lecture as she demonstrates the preparation of foods, and free samples are served to the hundreds who attend these classes. Many names of people are thus secured, and the results in souls saved are many. It was urged that this line of work be encouraged, and that the right arm of the message have a more important place in the public effort. An interesting discussion was led by Miss Walsh.
The second meeting was held Thursday, June 5. Taking up the theme where we left off on the previous Thursday, Mrs. B. M. Heald of New York again stressed the place of the medical work in evangelism, and the importance of the use of hydrotherapy treatments for the sick. Jesus spent more time in healing than in preaching, and His servants today are not to neglect this most important branch of service.
Early Beginnings of "Pictured Truth"
"The Illustrated Bible Class" was the subject presented by Lona Brosi of Los Angeles. Mrs. Brosi was the originator, of this unique plan of conducting a preliminary Bible class by the use of pictures just preceding the evangelist's evening sermon. By pictures thrown on the screen, many people can be reached in a short time. All were interested to hear how this work had its beginning, and of the wonderful possibilities this class affords in establishing the people in the message. The beginninp, was small, but the plan prospered under the able direction of H. M. S. Richards, until today it is an integral part of his public evangelism.
Mrs. Howard Curran, of the Voice of Prophecy company, gave an up-to-date account of the Pictured Truth hour, a sequel to the illustrated Bible class, as conducted today. She has made most of her own pictures for this interesting and instructive hour. She stressed the importance of the minister's interest in this feature, and the necessity that he strongly advertise the meeting and encourage all to attend. Hundreds are attending this class, and thus names are secured and many souls are brought to a decision. Those who attend are enrolled in the class and given a mimeographed copy of each study. Thus the people get the truth in three ways—through the lectures by the evangelist, the studies in pictured truth, and in mimeographed form. This is a great help in establishing them in present truth.
"The Use of Pictures in the Home" was presented by Miss Oleta Butcher. Bible workers who try using the little projector will find it a great help in securing and holding the attention of the children while a study is being presented. Also many men who would not otherwise take part in a Bible study, can be interested through the pictures. Since ninety per cent of all knowledge comes through the eye, this method of giving studies today, when people are picture-minded, is coming more and more to the front.
The last topic of our two meetings was "The Bible Worker's Responsibility in Public Meetings." Miss Pearl Stafford of Oregon ably presented this topic. More and more it is coming to be recognized that when the Bible worker is given some part in the public meeting, she is given prestige with the people. When people become acquainted with the Bible worker through her public work, she is made more welcome in their homes. She becomes known the same as the evangelist, and when she presents herself at the homes of the people, she is given a cordial reception. Some of the public activities in which she may profitably engage are health talks and demonstrations, children's meetings, and short talks, with pictures on the life of Christ.
All who attended these two Bible workers' meetings returned to .their work greatly strengthened and encouraged. The meetings were a great inspiration to us. We go forward with renewed zeal, new courage, and a greater determination to prepare ourselves for the high calling wherewith we are called, that we may be as cornerstones polished after the similitude of a palace.
*Mrs. Irene Anderson opened the discussion.—Ed. The Ministry, August, 1941
