One who is pressed too soon for a decision will usually decide negatively. Some decide in the affirmative, but not having ripened on the tree soon wither up and fall to the ground.
If we let an interest ready for harvest pass the right moment, interest is often lost, and conviction vanishes. An avocado merchant said the other day, "If the fruit is picked too soon, it is very low in oil content and of poor quality. But if left on the tree too long, it becomes lumpy, fibrous, and valueless on the market." Souls are like that. They need to be hand picked at the proper time. We need to give diligent attention to correct harvesting methods.
I have been asked to describe a typical visit in a home that has been referred to me by one of the workers as being an "interest." In personal work questions which draw out the individual and cause him to do the talking seem to be more effective than preaching and admonition. As the individual comes to the door, the minister takes a step forward, and introduces himself by saying, "Good morning, I just thought I would drop in a minute to see you. I can't stay very long." Nine times out of ten this will gain an entrance to the home.
After being seated by the host or hostess, the minister makes some casual remarks on the children, the wallpaper, the flowers, or if desperate for a topic, the weather. After a moment or two of introductory remarks and getting one's bearings, the conversation can swing to the meetings—the good interest, the attendance, and the like. And then very casually I come to question Number I: "Have you ever attended meetings like these before?" You will be surprised at the valuable information this simple question will bring out.
If the answer is yes, there will follow an interesting rehearsal of attending a series of meetings held in the same city four years ago. Sometimes, a statement like this will be dropped, "And I almost joined at that time." Or, "One thing wasn't clear to me, and this stood in my way." Or, "I've thought a lot during these last four years about what I heard then."
Perhaps the interested one will recount attending such meetings in childhood and the impression made upon him. All these remarks will be invaluable in sizing up and helpins, the interested one. One who has attended' another series of meetings, or gone to one of our schools, or has read our literature extensively is about seven times as definite a prospect as a wholly new interest.
If the person you are visiting answers that he has never attended a series of Adventist meetings before, your question then may take this form : "Are some of these topics quite a surprise to you—some different from what you have heard before?" All this is said in an offhand way to leave the individual at ease so he will open up more freely.
My next question is, "Do you have any relatives who are Adventists ?" If the answer is yes, and they do not make critical observations of that relative's religion, your chances of winning the interest are good. For if your prospects are related to some Adventists, they have a tangible background.
The third point might well be on the Sabbath: "The subject of the Sabbath is wonderfully inspiring and I'm so glad you heard it." The one questioned will then either open right up and admit that the Sabbath is the truth, or he will hedge a little and say that the subject is not quite clear. If the Sabbath is not clear, you may inquire what points are not clear. Ask for the Bible, and clear up the points. Have prayer and urge the individual to keep attending, reading, and studying, and then wait for future visits to put on any future pressure.
If the individual says he believes the Sabbath as presented, you are ready for the next step: "I believe you are ready to start keeping the next Sabbath." This brings it a little closer home, and yet puts no undue pressure on the interested one.
If the answer is, "No, I can't say that I am," then you will counsel him kindly and earnestly, urging him to give it study and prayer. You may then say before leaving, "I want to pray for you that the Lord will help you in coming to the right decision as to what to do about this, and to know what He expects of you." Then prayer should follow immediately, and you leave the home.
If the person answers that he is ready to start keeping the Sabbath, then you may add, "That's fine. I certainly am thankful to hear that, and I know the Lord is going to help you in launching out. Many problems will arise in making the change, but God will help you through all of them. Just lean on Him, and start out in faith."
When you pray on these occasions, be specific. Mention the individual's request for the help of Heaven to go all the way. Claim the promises of God. Pray that the Lord will help this person to be out to the special service next Sabbath afternoon without fail.
Some people must be visited several times in order to help them in making a decision. It is imperative to discover the obstacle which holds the individual back from his decision to go forward. So the next night the question will be, "What is it that really stands in your way of taking this step to unite fully with Jesus?" The answer to this question will usually reveal the real problem, which must then be attacked individually and sympathetically, not in an arbitrary, dictatorial style, but rather with understanding, sympathetic, sincere interest in a soul whose eternity is at stake.
At times you must press some a little to get them to open up and tell you their position. This statement helps, "I wish you would just open up and tell me what stands in your way. You know I haven't come here to condemn you but to help. That's all I'm interested in. We meet all kinds of problems, but all I care about is to be of some help. You know I am your friend. Just say right out what it is that stands in your way of making a decision."
It may be the movies, rings, pork, relatives an engagement, fear, or any of a host of other obstacles. Whatever the individual brings up, do not draw back in pious horror. Meet the sinner on his grounds and sympathetically lead him to see a way around his besetting obstacle.
When you come to the last visit, after all others have failed, and the last call is to be given, lead up to a question like this: "Is there anything more at all that I can do to help you to a decision, or to help you? I just feel desperate, for I know you believe the truth and will be accountable in the judgment day. I feel that I cannot give you up—that I have failed somehow. This is my last visit, and I long to see you go all the way as never before. Don't you want me to pray that the Lord will help you to come to a decision and not put it off any longer?" Then follows the last prayer, mentioning the lateness of the hour in world's history, Satan's trap—procrastination—and an appeal for heaven's immediate help in this serious case.
The hour is late. We need more consecrated boldness in working for souls. We need to realize that all who do not finally decide for the truth will be lost. We need to pray for a greater burden for lost souls, and then for greater skill in leading them to Christ.
