When Jacob wrestled with God he obtained "power with God and with men." Gen. 32:28. Could it be that we ministers similarly need to wrestle with God today, that we may have favor with the men who frequently come to hear us preach? We need power to move them for a decision to serve God. Think what it would mean to the church if all the "brothers-in-law" (husbands to members of the church) would become Christians and unite with our churches!
When we count the congregations of many of our churches, it could well be reported that there were so many "women and children, besides men" or "besides a few men." In Bible times, this was quite the opposite, and the groups were listed as so many "men, beside women and children." Of course this does not minimize the importance of women and children in the faith. Were there no women, there could be no men, and as someone has well said, "When a boy goes wrong, a good man dies." But it does seem to me that had we the proper faith in God, we would be baptizing more men. Men pay more tithe, on the average, than women. By this increased tithe, we could then bring more men, women, and children into the truth.
Jesus said, "Come ye after Me, and I will make you to become fishers of men." Mark 1:17. Notice that these selfish, calculating men "straightway . . . forsook their nets, and followed Him." His appeal was so simple, earnest, direct, and personal that hardened fishermen were constrained to respond. But did you detect that this effective call, by the Master of men, was primarily a challenge to service? Peter was not yet converted, but he was convinced that Christ offered a better job than he held—to fish for men would certainly do more lasting good than pulling fish out of the sea.
Likewise Christ called James and John, who turned their business over to their hardheaded father, and followed Him to the synagogue to hear Him preach. "And the people were astonished" that Sabbath day, "for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes." The Saviour dispelled doubts by leaving no uncertainty in His teachings, and faith mounted in the hearts of those untutored fishermen as they sat spellbound under the mighty preaching of this Superman of faith.
In general, we may strengthen our ministry for men in two ways. First, let the men know both publicly and privately that we need them in the church—that we desperately need their support. God needs them in His service.
Secondly, do not cavil in presenting to them the certainty of their being able to obey God and provide for their families. If the minister quibbles in his own faith regarding a certain man's ability to obey God now, how can he hope for moving faith to take possession of that poor, weak, defeated man? Of course this help must be extended sympathetically. It will not do to leave the impression with such men that we do not think they have a serious problem in accepting this truth. But we should let them know very definitely that we believe God is greater than all their perplexities, and will care for them and theirs, if by faith they will lay hold upon the precious promises of the Bible.
I have seen a wife who was a member of our church oppose her husband's newly taken stand for the message, for fear their income would be lessened. Personally, I do not condone such an attitude on the part of one of our members. But I think it less becoming when a fellow minister of the gospel manifests visible opposition to his brother minister's intensive efforts to get some man to have faith in God—faith enough to become immediately obedient to the truth.
In extending a public appeal, the minister can bring pointed conviction to the hearts of men by sayiag something like this to them in a quiet, earnest manner : "We need you men in the church. God wants your strength to help finish His work in the earth. How it would encourage us and help you, if all of you would walk right up to the altar tonight, and thus indicate to the church and to God that you want our prayers. Jesus loves you men, and died to save you. Some of you have loved ones praying for you with heavy hearts. The church longs to see you in the fold of safety. But only you can make your decision. Won't you choose Christ tonight?" Look right into the eyes of these men while you say this. The women in the audience will be only too happy that you are trying to help their husbands and sons.
When in the home, take special interest in the husband or father who is not a member of the church. Ask him about his work and then listen with interest while he tells you. One day I was invited to dinner at a certain home in Iowa where the young husband was not an Adventist. I had played "catch" with him and another man while dinner was in preparation, and asked him several questions about his prosperous farm. At the door as I left I invited the husband to church, little thinking that he would ever come. I pressed the hand of this fine-looking, intelligent farmer, and said, "We would love to have you come to church, and visit us in our Sabbath meetings." Later I learned that he had been very much prejudiced against the church, and had worn his college ring that particular day, to show the preacher he was no Adventist. He came to church the next Sabbath with his wife, and never stopped coming. Today he is a faculty member of one of our colleges.
Once I labored six weeks in subzero weather for an infidel. He became convinced of the truth, but told me he could not possibly get the Sabbath off where he worked, and that he knew no other trade. He finally took his stand and within three weeks was offered five jobs at which he could keep the Sabbath. These he turned down, together with the old job, where the owner begged him to remain, with his Sabbaths off and no less pay, in order to enter the colporteur work. He is in that work today. That man has prepared as many as six at a time for baptism, besides placing thousands of truth-filled books in the homes of the Midwestern and Southern States.
For six months I labored for a certain man in the South. Time and again a friend would say to me, "There is nothing to him!" But a few years later he followed me as pastor of a new church that I raised up in that same conference. At least six of my men converts are now preaching this message, and others are preparing for the ministry. Some are in the colporteur ministry, and some have been sent to foreign shores. I mention this only to say that the fruits of earnest labor for men are most gratifying.
Most men are tenderhearted, but they do not often show it. After a public meeting, or while visiting at one's home, it is a good thing to take a man who is under conviction by the arm, pull him to you, and tell him that you have learned to love him. Occasionally slip an arm around him, when alone with him, and say, "My brother, I am praying for you, and am anxious to see you take your stand with God's people."
From the pen of inspiration we read, "My brethren and sisters, in your ministry come close to the people. Uplift those who are cast down. Treat of calamities as disguised blessings, of woes as mercies. Work in a way that will cause hope to spring up in the place of despair."—"Testimonies," Vol. VII, p. 272.
Take a discouraged man off into the wood and pray with him. There I have seen miracles performed for burdened men. "Christ's method alone will give true success in reaching the people. The Saviour mingled with men as one who desired their good. He showed His sympathy for them, ministered to their needs, and won their confidence. Then He bade them, 'Follow Me'."—"Ministry of Healing," p. 743.
