Pointer's to Progress

We all long to be more successful soul winners. We plead with God for greater power. And we surely need it. The following pertinent pointers on preach­ing power, culled from the Spirit of prophecy, will help us to know God's ideal for the minis­try of the advent movement. Gathered from many sources, these pithy paragraphs have not heretofore been available to our workers gen­erally. As these statements and others of equal challenge have been presented to our workers in ministerial institutes in different sections of the world field, hundreds of requests have been made for copies of them. They are now avail­able in the new book Evangelism. We do well to study these inspired counsels and pray that God's Spirit will mold our preaching pattern and bring His power into our sermons.

"Let the science of salvation be the burden of every sermon, the theme of every song."—Evangelism, p. 185.

"Make the gospel the glad tidings of salva­tion to all who receive."—Ibid., p. 187.

"Do not strike one dolorous note ; do not sing funeral hymns."—Ibid., p. 180.

"Present subjects that will be as green pas­tures to the sheep of God's fold."—Ibid., p. 189.

"The sacrifice of Christ as an atonement for sin is the great truth around which all other truths cluster. . . . This is to be the founda­tion of every discourse given by our ministers." —Ibid., p. 190.

"We need far less controversy, and far more presentation of Christ."—Ibid., p. 172.

"The many argumentative sermons preached seldom soften and subdue the soul."—Ibid., p.172.

"Legal religion will not answer for this age." —Ibid., p. 170.

"Christ is to be preached, not controver­sially, but affirmatively."—Ibid., p. 187.

"The manner in which the truth is presented often has much to do in determining whether it will be accepted or rejected."—Ibid., p. 168.

"If we wish to convince unbelievers that we have the truth . . . , we must not vehemently charge them with their errors."—Ibid., p. 173.

"Much of the effect of discourses is lost be­cause of the manner in which they are deliv­ered."—Ibid., p. 183.

"Preach so that the people can catch hold of big ideas."—/bid., p. 169.

"Our work is not to make a raid on the government but to prepare a people to stand in the great day of the Lord."—Ibid., p. 173.

"The fewer attacks we make on authorities and powers, the more work will we do 1._r_ God."—Ibid.

"There are souls in every congregation who are hesitating, almost persuaded to be wholly for God."—Ibid., p. 279.

"Some may be listening to the last sermon they will ever hear."—Ibid., p. 280.

"In speaking words of reproof, let us put all the Christlike tenderness and love possible into the voice."—Ibid., p. 174.

"There are two extremes to be avoided, one is the shunning to declare the whole counsel of God. . . . The second extreme is to be always hammering at the people . . . in a harsh un­Christlike manner."—Ibid., p..281.

"Let every minister learn to wear the gospel shoes."—Ibid., p. 174.

"The combative armor, the debating spirit, must be laid off."—Ibid., p. 249.

"Great wisdom should be used in the presen­tation of a truth that comes directly in opposi­tion to the opinions and practices of the people." —Ibid., p. 246.

"The question of the nonimmortality of the soul . . . needs to be treated with great care." —Ibid., p. 247.

"The strongest meat is not to be given to babes who know not the first principles of the truth."—Ibid., p. zoo.

"Strong meat . . should be dealt out judi­ciously."—Ibid., p. 177.

"Our ministers go too rapidly through their subjects and bring the most objectionable fea­tures of our faith too early into their effort."­Ibid., p. 246.

"Agree with the people on every point where you can consistently do so."—Ibid., p. 141.

"Our ministers need more of the wisdom that Paul had. . . . He presented the truth in such a manner that their former prejudice did not arise to blind their eyes and pervert their judg­ment."—Ibid.

"The very last work in the controversy may be the enlightment of those who have . . . in ignorance worked against the truth. Therefore treat every man as honest."—Ibid., p. 306.

"Christ crucified,—talk it, pray it, sing it, and it will break and win hearts. This is the power and wisdom of God to gather souls for Christ."

—Testimonies, vol. 6, p. 67.                     

R.A. A.