UNSPOTTED!—Is the golden rule to be set aside when one is faced with opposition in his public evangelism? Are violent attacks and smears by opponents to be answered in kind? Are we as Seventh-day Adventist ministers to give "tit for tat," and blow for blow? Are we to put off the spirit of Christ and put on the world's boxing gloves for a slugging match in the arena of public debate, resorting to the same unworthy and unchristian tactics used by our opponents? Are we to get rough and tough because others are ungentlemanly and abusive ? Are we to hit below the belt because they sometimes do? There is only one right answer to each of these questions, and that is an emphatic No! We are ever to be honorable and Christlike. We are never to stoop to unworthy ways and means. We are to turn the other cheek to our smiters. We are to win by truth, kindness, and love. The Christ we serve would have us meet lies by truth, hate by love, and distortion by fidelity to fact. We are the public representatives of a high and holy cause. Our brethren and our church are judged by our words and acts. We have no right to drag the church into the mire by resorting to smear methods, and by recourse to unworthy crimination and recrimination. We as ministers are ever to be Christian gentlemen.
HELP WANTED!—Men and women are wanted for an almost infinite variety of posts in denominational service. Trained, skilled, competent, consecrated, resourceful, selfless, balanced, congenial men and women are needed, and are being sought. Lazy folk need not respond. They had better save their strength and avoid the effort. Extremists need not apply, because they would feel increasingly out of place. Grumblers and agitators would soon be uncomfortable. The careless and superficial will be passed by or dropped out. Those merely looking for a pleasing position and a handsome income would only be disappointed. This movement is looking for competent, faithful, loyal workers, workers with a heaven-born, holy ambition to serve the cause of truth. Those who are willing to go the second mile in expenditure of time and talent are constantly needed. Here is a challenge of a great need and the appeal of a high and holy task. Mediocrity in the service of God is inexcusable. There is room at the top for those who willingly pay the price. Service in the cause of God is the highest calling on earth. It offers the greatest rewards, and gives the greatest satisfaction. Who will meet the test?
RECOGNITION!—'Tis strange how much some workers crave ministerial honor and recognition. When they answer the telephone, some will inevitably say, "This is Elder Blank speaking." How much more fitting and modest simply to respond, "Charles Spurgeon speaking," or 'Dwight L. Moody speaking,' or even "Mr. Wesley speaking." When some ministers sign a personal letter—even addressed to a fellow minister, they prefix their title, "Elder John Blank." They are so fearful, apparently, that someone will fail to duly recognize that they are ministers, or fail to accord them the honor of their rightful title, that they violate recognized literary ethics to get their meed of recognition—a sort of, "You gratify my vanity, and I'll gratify yours." It reminds one of Christ's observation on the rabbis of old, that they loved "greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi." Matt. 23 :7. Of such attitudes and earthly recognitions Christ says significantly, "Verily, I say unto you, They have their reward." Matt. 6:2.
BRICKS WITHOUT STRAW! Some conference leaders are anxious for their ministers to conduct aggressive and effective evangelistic campaigns, but want them to do so with practically no conference expenditure. In other words, they ask their men to make bricks without straw. Every conscientious and competent worker wishes to economize all he can for the cause. And every effective preacher will work earnestly for good offerings to offset his expenses. But he should have a working capital sufficient to enable him to arrest the attention of the public and to draw good crowds, which should in turn ensure good offerings. Favorable working conditions give courage, and a reasonable budget affords sufficient time for the worker to do his best work. These enable him to press his opportunities to advantage. To be forced to skimp and use cheap, inadequate advertising—and thus have to spend priceless personal time in economizing with laborious makeshifts—cuts into the time imperative for proper preparation and follow-up of messages of the highest order. Aggressive business enterprises realize that sensible expenditure in sound publicity brings substantial dividends. Such is not wasteful expenditure, but wise and profitable investment. It brings back more than it puts out. Evangelistic converts, with their continuous tithes and offerings, are the surest guarantee of success without driving workers to excessive work and worry.
L. E. F.
