As suggested in the previous article, it would be well to close our sermon proper at least ten minutes before the end of the service. We should then go immediately into our appeal. Some ministers like to have a special song before they make their appeal and call. There may be a danger in that, though, for there may be some who were ready to respond who may not be touched by the special song. If they are given time to relax, they may not be drawn to the altar. We must not let the audience cool off.
Our choir director and organist are in their places, and all should work smoothly together. After a very short appeal after the sermon, one stanza of a good appeal song is sung, such as, "Just as I Am," "Lord I'm Coming Home," or "I Surrender All!" Then appeal for those who are accepting Christ for the first time to come forward. Plead with them to make their surrender. We must be careful not to make it embarrassing for those who are not members of the church, so we vary the appeal to those who are backsliders, and call for reconsecration. The new ones often await the time when others are coming forward, when they will be less conspicuous.
We may wait for five minutes without one re,sponse, but we must not be discouraged. Exercise patience and faith. We may know that the Holy Spirit is pleading, and that angels are in the audience working for souls, and we must give them time. Here is a statement that should solemnize us, and which is one to remember when the people do not rush to the altar at the first or even the third invitation.
"In every congregation there are souls upon whom the Spirit of the Lord is moving." "In every congregation there are souls who are hesitating, almost decided to be wholly for God. Decisions are being made; but too often the minister has not the spirit and power of the message, and no direct appeals are made to those who are trembling in the balance."—Gospel Workers, PA. 154, 151.
In that audience there may be a Bartimaeus, and Jesus of Nazareth is passing by. Let us remember that there may be some there who will never hear another sermon, and who will never have another chance. Many of us have known the experience of having men accept Christ at an altar call just before they were killed in an accident.
At times when ten minutes are almost gone, and no one has responded, you will be tempted to request all who love the Lord to stand with you reconsecrating their lives to Him, and then with a short prayer dismiss the congregation. But if you do that, you admit defeat. You try to find consolation in the fact that all stood in consecration, but you find no comfort, and very likely you feel like never attempting such a call again. We must remember that a terrific battle is being waged between the powers of darkness and light, between Christ and Satan, for the souls of those for whom we are pleading, and that we are not alone. The Holy Spirit and heavenly beings are there, so let us not falter. The altar call demands faith, patience, and assurance.
When the strain seems great, it is well to offer up an earnest prayer for those who are in the valley of decision, praying that they may have victory over their fears, sins, and bad habits. It is well to mention alcohol, tobacco, and the pleasures of the world. Some fear parents, and some fear a husband or a wife. Try to think of and mention the various hazards that confront souls. This prayer often brings some souls over the line. The call for reconsecration, for prayer, for healino.b of the body, and for those to come forward who have unsaved relatives, will always bring a response. Those who have waited fearfully for a long time will then come forward and kneel at the altar.
Under the direction of the Spirit we may be impressed to appeal to a young woman in the balcony with words Iike these, Will not someone in the balcony with whom the Holy Spirit has been pleading make her surrender tonight, and kneel at the foot of the cross?" And we should not be surprised when a young woman comes down from the balcony and kneels at the altar. We may appeal to an alcoholic in the back of the auditorium, and see him coming to the altar. It is a good plan to make definite and specific calls. If there are broken hearts in your audience, appeal to them, and present to them the One who can mend their broken hearts.
Sometimes we may feel that a call is unnecessary, and will be fruitless because there are no nonbelievers present. It is not improbable that there are those in the audience whose names are on the church records in good and regular standing but who are attending places of worldly amusement, or are still feasting on the fleshpots of Egypt, or have not entirely given up their tea and coffee. There may be those whose associates are of the world, and who have not realized that "friendship of the world is enmity with God." Should we not give our own people an opportunity, under the influence of the Holy Spirit, to take a definite stand on these principles that make us so different from the world?
When at last we have almost the entire congregation at the altar, shall we offer a short prayer and dismiss them? No; we have many in our audience who do not understand the very rudiments of the gospel and salvation. They are aware of their transgressions, but there are some who have never grasped the glorious truth of the forgiveness of sin, and salvation. Should we not take that opportunity to briefly tell them how Jesus forgives, and quote such texts as 1 John 1:9; Isaiah 44 :22 ; 1:16,17; 55:7; Jeremiah 31:34? Let us point them to the One who cares, forgives, forgets, saves to the uttermost, and who keeps us from falling.
Certain things should be made very clear, even imperative. "The feeling of guiltiness must be laid at the foot of the cross, or it will poison the springs of life."—Testimonies to Ministers, p. 5i8. Too often those who come to the altar leave, still bearing their awful burden of guilt. We must teach them the glorious truth that it is now taken away. We may expect great and lasting decisions to be made by some at. the altar, but they must leave as happy Christians, believing what the Spirit of the Lord has told us:
"It should not be difficult to remember that the Lord desires you to lay your troubles and perplexities at His feet, and leave them there. Go to Him, saying : 'Lord, my burdens are too heavy for me to carry. Wilt Thou bear them for me?' And He will answer : 'I will take them. With everlasting kindness will I have mercy upon thee. I will take your sins, and will give you peace. Banish no longer your self-respect ; for I have bought you with the price of My own blood. You are mine. Your weakened will I will strengthen. Your remorse for sin I will remove."I, even I, am He, . . that blotteth out thy transgressions . . and will not remember thy sins.' "—Ibid., pp. 519, 520. (Read also Ministry of Healing, pp. 84, 85.)
Let us make these truths so clear that those who have come to the. altar will not leave burdened with their uncertainties and sins. We would have them see the exceeding sinfulness of sin, and then behold the incomparable love of God, who, when we are truly penitent, freely forgives and removes not only the guilt of sin but also the remorse for sin. For the first time some are becoming acquainted with the One who "is able to keep [them] from falling."
This has been a blessed day for those who have given their lives wholly into the hands of the Master, and have grasped His promises and found peace. They have made decisions and gained victories, but they leave the altar to meet the fierce and subtle attacks of the enemy. Will they fail in their walk with God, will they turn back in utter discouragement, or have we forearmed them with the words of the apostle John, "My little children, these things I write unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous"? 1 John 2:1. We have sent them away with an Advocate to whom they are to go the very moment they fail. His life and righteousness are theirs.
There are times when we make calls that it is helpful to allow those who have come forward to express themselves, and request definite help. This is true in smaller meetings, or when we can gather in the prayer room. As the meeting is closed with a prayer that covers the requests made, the Bible instructor and assistants gather the new converts into a baptismal class. They should be visited soon. The members of the church who have made definite decisions should also be visited. They are often in great need of help.
There are no churches too large and none too small to have revival sermons and altar calls. If you are one who has not tried, set a definite date, make every preparation, and see how the Lord will bless you and the church.
