There is a tendency on the part of some to feel that sermons delivered on those Sabbaths dedicated to certain campaigns are particularly odious. It is deplorable that this is ever the case. These presentations ought to be profoundly spiritual, deeply moving, and so clear and forceful as to illumine every mind and grip each heart present.
To arraign a congregation for their shortcomings and their lack of co-operation in campaign endeavors, or to indulge in invidious comparisons, hinders the ministry of God's Spirit in that very hour when His tender movings should be felt most fully among the people. Hard, relentless driving is not the method that brings success in our campaigns. These occasions should be spiritual feasts among the children of God. Leaders ought neither to wound the unresponding nor crush the laggards within the fold. Heaven forbid that harsh methods should ever be practiced upon the household of faith.
Our campaigns are spiritual opportunities and ought to be jealously guarded as such. Arousement sermons are very helpful and much to be desired when they revive fuller consecration, bring to deeper devotion, and lead into wider service because hearts and souls are stirred by love and a renewed vision of Jesus has been gained.
God has given the movement a mighty work which must be done quickly. Adventist hearts have been so touched by Heaven that they stand ready and willing, yes, anxious, to do the appointed task, and to finish it speedily. Nowhere in all this wide world can there be found men and women more responsive, more eager to be organized, trained, and led into service, than the members of Seventh-day Adventist congregations everywhere. Around the world they gather, expecting instruction from their leaders. They look for counsel and such spiritual guidance as will inspire them to press gladly into whatever assignment awaits their service.
Thank God for the advent people ! They follow their leaders. Wherever there is system and order, a perfect program of evangelism and the sweet spirit of soulful ministry, there Christ's remnant church springs into successful action. What a grand privilege it is to have oversight of a church, or churches, among such people. There are weak ones, sometimes, just as in a family—members faint with sickness on occasion. But by tender, loving, persistent ministry, they grow into strength which later may become the very joy and dependence of others.
A father protects and shelters his family, while assigning to each one some home responsibility. So also must the pastor be a good provider, nurture the souls of his membership, nourish his flock every time they gather for spiritual food, and disappoint them never. A spiritually well-fed church is strong. In good health the members wish to use this strength and are capable thereby of performing astonishingly successful things for God. A spiritually weak group, though lashed and spurred and pressed relentlessly, cannot reach the mark desired, but may break up under the strain because some will succumb to the burden and fall out on the way.
One of our missionaries one day encountered a native vigorously whipping a horse that was securely tied. After he had watched the operation some time unobserved, the missionary stepped close to the man and inquired what he was punishing the poor beast for.
According to the angry fellow's loud-voiced story, the nearly starved creature was stubborn and mean and lazy. He wouldn't haul, he wouldn't plow, he wouldn't trot, he wouldn't carry a rider, he wouldn't do anything, and so the native had set about the job of beating some "sense into him."
"But why do you want to keep a horse like that ?" the minister wanted to know.
Because he couldn't do anything else, the native assured him. Nobody wanted to buy a pack of bones that would not do a stroke of work. If he could find a purchaser, they would make a quick trade. And so the minister bought the horse, paid cash on the spot, and walked away leading a forlorn-looking animal wreck that followed docilely behind. At his house Mr. Missionary bathed the beast, medicated his wounds and sores, provided drink and food, lavished upon him soft words and gentle pats. For days this kindly treatment continued. Soon the welts were gone, the sores partly healed, and the horse found freedom in a wide, green pasture.
Weeks later the former native owner hailed our missionary as the latter was passing swiftly by behind a fast-moving horse. "What did you do with that critter I sold you?" the man inquired.
"Fed him," he replied, with a broad smile.
"Yes," the fellow assented sheepishly, "but what did you do with him—sell him?"
"I fed him, I treated his wounds, I furnished plenty of salt, I brushed and rubbed him down. That kind of treatment gets results," the missionary assured him.
"But where is he now ?" the man inquired. "Right here in front of me."
"This is not the horse I sold you. No sir, that animal wouldn't work for anybody."
"You are right. This is not the horse you sold me. But the horse you sold me changed into this horse."
"How ?"
"By kindly treatment, plenty of food, and well-planned management."
Such a program works wonders even in campaign time, when a big goal confronts the small working force of a church. Sabbath morning lights the way for heart-hungry believers who assemble in their various meeting places in order that their souls may be nourished, their faith enlarged, their hearts tuned more definitely to God. It is right that they should thus be ministered unto.
It is campaign time again. Gloriously and with magnificent devotion congregations everywhere are sweeping their churches over the victory line. A million dollars starts rolling toward the mission treasury. But far more beautiful than glittering gold is the vision of men and women and children, by thousands, going out joyously, willingly, into the labor of love. They labor because they love Him and are able in His strength to meet and overcome those hindrances that deterred some before their spirits were fully nourished.
In our ministry may God help us to dispense the food of salvation, that the household of faith may be strong and able to do acceptable service when properly organized and assigned to the several posts of duty.
