Someone is always citing the solemn testimony of a good brother who has been an Adventist for a quarter of a century. "If I had ever realized that I was attending an Adventist evangelistic meeting, I would never have set foot inside the tent or hall"—and would never, therefore, have become an Adventist.
We do not question his word. But what has the situation of a quarter of a century ago to do with that of today? Times have materially changed, and conditions have altered—whether some wish to admit it or not. Twenty-five years have passed, and an entirely new day has dawned—a day of growing recognition and respect for Adventists. That should surely constitute a cue.
Furthermore, present world conditions have brought a paralyzing fear of the future to the hearts of millions. Now as never before men seek a message of hope. They crave a sense of certainty. They desire an understanding of the times and the future. They seek a way through and out of the present world apprehension and hopelessness. Moreover, we are coming to be increasingly known as earnest and competent students of Bible prophecy, with unusual light on the meaning of the times. And we are being increasingly recognized as sincere Christians in a position to help others. How will men, and especially such seekers, know how and where to find and hear us if we fail to identify ourselves?
Let us keep abreast of the times, and not live in the past. And even if some will not come because of prejudice, others, just as intelligent and sincere, and just as good prospects as converts, will come in their places. The supper will have its guests. It will simply be a different group, fully as acceptable as any other group. But these will be unprejudiced and more favorably disposed at the outset, and therefore more likely to respond to the message presented. They are coming to an avowedly Adventist meeting, knowingly receiving Adventist literature, enrolling in an Adventist Bible correspondence school, deliberately inviting an Adventist worker to call on them to give them Bible studies, There is no disillusionment, no shock concerning our identity, no letdown oi setback. They do not feel they have been tricked or deceived. They expect to hear about the Sabbath, conditional immortality, the sanctuary, the Spirit of prophecy, and other distinctly Adventist beliefs. The advantages definitely outweigh the disadvantages, and such an approach is backed by Spirit of prophecy encouragement and counsel.
More than that, this approach works, where fairly tried. It works successfully, by repeated demonstration, in East, West, North, and South. It is no visionary theory. It is a demonstrated fact by experienced and inexperienced. Many of our most able evangelists will now never go back to what they believe to be an outmoded method. They will not be deterred by men whose only personal evangelism is a memory of two or more decades back. But a man must believe in it to succeed. And he must revise his techniques, for the approaches are different. Many will need help on this. But through such forthrightness much misunderstanding, many charges of subterfuge, many challenges to debates, and considerable friction with other ministers will be avoided.
This is the one way that continuous evangelism, year after year, campaign after campaign in a great city, can be most successfully conducted. So, put away your prejudices, brother minister. Investigate its advantages dispassionately, and give it a fair trial. The responsibility is much greater this way, of course, as our every word and act and all our influence are an open representation of Adventism all the way through. The advantage of concealment does not compensate any longer in most places. There are doubtless exceptions, but let them be regarded as exceptions. Our widespread radio work; literature distribution; and the witness of our academies, colleges, sanitariuths, medical school, theological seminary; together with the constant news reports on our welfare work, foreign relief, and many other features have all brought our name and some knowledge of our activities and beliefs before multiplied millions. These constitute the Adventist seed that has long been sown. Let us begin to reap the benefits through gathering the harvest as Adventists.
Open declaration brings the greatest joy, confidence, and satisfaction personally and to the church of any method advanced in recent years. Try it.
L. E. F.
