The Grand Traverse (Michigan) Ministerial Association, which represents the clergy of about twenty-five denominations, met recently for the purpose of electing new officers for the ensuing year. I was elected secretary. There is nothing so unusual in this, for other Seventh-day Adventist ministers have been secretaries and presidents of such organizations. However, it means a great deal to us here locally, because it represents a very friendly attitude on the part of the Protestant ministers toward our work in this city.
When I began work here, a little less than two years ago, I decided that it would be well to become acquainted with the ministers of the other churches. I felt that my purpose could be accomplished best by joining the ministerial association. At the periodic meetings I made a special effort to greet all the ministers in as friendly a manner as possible.
After a few months they invited me to speak at the association meeting on the subject "Seventh-day Adventists and Their Temperance Work." After the Meeting some of the ministers wished to subscribe to the Listen magazine, which was displayed along with Life and Health and Liberty during the talk.
Not long afterward I was invited to speak at one of the Methodist churches on Seventh-day Adventism. The full scope of our message was presented in brief, and was well received. In fact, at the close of the meeting many interesting questions were asked concerning different phases of our work.
Then the minister of the First Christian church, who has a congregation of about five hundred, was ill one week and asked me whether I would fill the pulpit for his Sunday service. I was very happy for this opportunity. and I found it very enjoyable to greet the people as they left the church that morning, and hear them tell a Seventh-day Adventist preacher that they were happy to have him there that day. I do not know how much good was accomplished, but I do know that when I went to contact the businessmen of that church this year for Ingathering, I found them very friendly. In certain instances they had not been very cordial the previous year.
For the past two years I have been invited to be one of the speakers at a city-wide observation of Good Friday, with the services held at the largest Methodist church in the city. I often meet strangers who tell me that they have heard me at one of their churches.
I shall not take more space to mention other appointments that have opened, but I feel that it was a worth-while venture to join the ministerial association. As one associates with these men he finds their prejudices melting away. One also comes to the conclusion that they are human, and many of them very sincere. Who knows just which one of them, or how many, will someday stand by our side in the coming crisis hour.
411. EVERY gospel worker should feel that to teach the principles of healthful living is a part of his appointed work. Of this work there is great need, and the world is opened for it.--Counsels on Health, p. 390.
