Inspiration!—A sound concept of the nature, scope, and operation of inspiration is imperative to a true understanding of the Spirit of prophecy. The trouble with nearly all who have repudiated this gift, as manifested in the remnant church, has sprung from a false theory of inspiration, with which certain facts, encountered later, cannot be reconciled. Then, instead of adjusting one's theory to conform to all the facts—and, incidentally, to the precise disavowals and delimitations of the Spirit of prophecy itself—they have, instead, unsoundly and illogically challenged and finally repudiated the gift itself. Nearly all who have turned away from the gifts have once held a position of extreme adherence to the Spirit of prophecy, but based upon untenable premises. Then under the impact of irreconcilable facts, swinging from that extreme of the arc, they have gone to the other unreasonable extreme of disbelief and rejection. Such a revulsion is both tragic and irrational. God help us all to hold and to teach a sound and rational position that will stand every test conformable to the Scriptures, to sound reason, and to the delimitations of the Spirit of prophecy.
Commercial!—The wide distribution of message literature in connection with our evangelistic efforts is highly essential. The spoken message should be buttressed and made permanent by effective supporting literature. Free literature is indispensable, and an attractive bookstand for selling should be part of the "must" equipment of every effort. Tracts, pamphlets, books, periodicals, songbooks, and Bibles give scope and backing to the oral efforts from the rostrum. Especially through selected books can a well rounded, connected concept be augmented, and this excellent literature should be mentioned from the platform during the song service, or by the evangelist somewhere in connection with the sermon. However, there is danger of carrying this to the point where it smacks decidedly of the commercial. Such an impression counteracts the good. Especially is this true with public sales that drag on and take priceless time away from the sermon—or extend the closing hour unduly. Far better to give away outright the few copies distributed in some congregational sales than to weary the audience, scatter the interest, and jeopardize the effectiveness of the address to follow. Especially should we be careful not to offend the sensibilities of conscientious Sunday keepers by public sales on Sunday. Let us dispense our supporting literature wisely.
Opposition!—As heralds of truth we owe much to our opponents. We should never be irritated by opposition or challenge. We should accept it as an opportunity for clarification and further study that will result in the stronger establishment of truth with better and fuller evidences, stronger proofs, and more irrefutable conclusions. Truth shines the brighter the harder it is rubbed. So these unwitting burnishers of the precious gold of truth are really to be thanked for the opportunity, as well as the necessity they create, for the greater investigation and vindication of truth. These challenges call for more time, effort, and sometimes for more money than we have been wont to spend. But the returns justify the expenditure. Truth grows under opposition. It is inertia that stagnates.
Overdone!—Periodic meetings of the evangelistic company are imperative for mutual understanding of the task before them, for necessary reporting and assignment, and thus for successful united effort. But these necessary councils are by some overdone. When they gravitate into daily meetings, instead of weekly—perhaps at the evangelist's home, for his convenience—they often exact excessive time in travel to the place of assembly, then in the discussions, and finally in going on to appointments in the scattered homes of the interested. Voluminous records and excessive details that consume an unreasonable amount of time take away from the time of visitation imperative in the homes of the people. And they often make fatal inroads into the time of necessary preparation and study. Let us strike a happy medium in this matter. Avoid the loose planlessness of some, on the one hand, and on the other, evangelistic methodism gone extreme.
Strength!—Strong characters often have strong weaknesses. Deep conviction marks such a personality, usually with positive views for and against various matters. We must learn to appreciate and capitalize on the points of strength, while passing over, with generosity, those traits that are not so admirable. The Lord has to cover us all with the mantle of charity. And we are to emulate His gracious ways to others. Some of our own traits are as unpleasant to others as theirs may be to us. Yes, "charity toward all and malice toward none" is sound Christian philosophy. We need the strength that men possess. Therefore we must overlook and hide their weaknesses.
L. E. F.
