Did you ever go with an evangelistic company into a new territory and hear some such remarks as these? "What, more meetings? Whatever is the use of all this anyway? Time after time meetings have been held here. Why, Brother Blank, the union evangelist, held meetings here eight years ago. Only nine were baptized, and six of them drifted out soon after the tent came down. An evangelist is just doomed to disappointment in this place."
Perhaps your reply was something like this: Why, Mrs. Smith, we are living in the last days of this old world's history. Were the message to cease going to your city, even the very stones would cry out. Perhaps it is in God's plan that many opportunities should come to this place. As for Evangelist Brown, I have personally worked with him through several efforts. The Lord has wonderfully blessed his labors. In fact, I have had much inspiration from them myself. Mrs. Smith, for the uplift of your own soul, you cannot afford to miss a single meeting!"
And Mrs. Smith, fearing to miss something good, has come and, having her own heart warmed, has become a real booster for the meetings. Then when the meetings have been going for a short time—before Evangelist Brown begins to feel the pulse of the congregation—he wonders how things really are going. The people are so unresponsive. Haven't you found it worthwhile at that time to pass on to him a few choice morsels of encouragement gleaned from your personal interviews?
As the interest develops and questions arise, and possibly opposition, you have no doubt by relating the reactions of some given him a clue for the order of presentation of topics, or for some needed subject not hitherto planned. Perhaps a certain question arose several times, and you placed it in the question box because people were too timid to.
Perhaps about this time you became a bit weary with the endless round of tasks that had fallen to you. You had cut stencils, mimeographed this and that, framed slides, addressed handbills, or sat tip a good portion of the night sorting handbills for mailing, handbills that had somehow got hopelessly out of sequence—all this, and perhaps much more, besides your regular studies. Yes, you were weary. You well knew that all this was not demanded of you, but seeing the need, you did not shirk. Then there came over you a new vision of what it means to have a part in the finishing work—to co-operate with angels and men ordained of God in such a program. Thrilled anew with this high privilege, you found the least of your duties most precious. In your inmost soul you said, "This, too, is my joy !"
But it was not enough to be a sort of "glorified flunky." Yours was a far greater responsibility. God had called you to be His co-worker. This meeting was your meeting too. It was your pride and joy. You were intensely jealous for its good name, and that every detail should be in harmony with God's blueprint. You were ever on the alert for constructive suggestions. You realized that much of the success was dependent on "backstage co-operation" in little things, seemingly unnoticed. You were ever watchful and alert to avoid mistakes. You well knew/ that one way to make Evangelist Brown wish that you were any place but with him was to distribute literature on the mark of the beast, some three weeks ahead of date.
Desiring to be of the greatest possible use in the cause of God, you were ever asking yourself : Am I a better worker today than I was last year? Am I progressing? How can I personally improve? What spiritual victories have I gained this year ? With the help of God, for what progress shall I strive next year ? Am I dependable ? When the evangelist assigns a certain task to me, does he know that it is as good as done, or does he have to check frequently lest I may have forgotten it? Am I satisfied to dwell on last year's thrills, or have I had a fresh, vibrant vision today of the glorious possibilities of service? Do I think positively? This is a "must" ! Let's think success, talk success, radiate success, and by and by we will find our efforts crowned with success.
When you come to the crisis in your meetings, the decisive hours, your joy will doubtless be overflowing, as was mine. My first experience with evangelistic meetings was also the first experience for the young evangelist with whom I worked. In securing decisions we used the doctrinal signature cards. After a card was signed I could not wait another moment, but would drive at full speed to the evangelist's home. What rejoicing by the evangelist, his good wife, and me ! How we would thank the Lord ! To think that the King of heaven was actually using us as instruments. How He was blessing us ! Surely those were joyful days.
Then there were those persons whom I somehow failed to bring to a decision. These names I gave to the evangelist and his wife. We would pray together for these souls, then take turns visiting them. No matter who finally gained the decision, the important thing was to get it !
