As a district pastor I have greatly appreciated the part which an active Dorcas Society plays in the program of the church. I wish to list four fields in which I have felt the Dorcas influence to be particularly noticeable and helpful.
The first is in soul winning. The Spirit of prophecy tells us:
"If we would humble ourselves before God, and be kind and courteous and tender-hearted and pitiful, there would be one hundred conversions to the truth where now there is only one."
"The true heart-expression of Christlike sympathy, given in simplicity, has power to open the door of hearts."—Testimonies, vol. 9, pp. 189, 30.
The pastor-evangelist is constantly on the lookout for men and women to whom he may present the message. And of all the prospects he finds, there are none so friendly, so eager for the truth, and so open to its reception as those whose hearts have been warmed by some deed of loving ministration done for them by the church Dorcas Society in their hour of extremity.
Then there is the effect that the Dorcas work exerts upon the Christian experience of the women engaged in these helpful activities, and through them upon the spiritual level of the church as a whole. We read in the Testimonies :
"Many of God's people are not growing in grace. Many are in an unpleasant, complaining frame of mind. Those who are not helping others to see the importance of the truth for this time, must feel dissatisfied with themselves."—Ibid., p. 39.
The Dorcas work provides a channel through which the church women may find a way of self-expression which blesses and uplifts not only the recipient but the giver. "The heart of him who lives, not to please himself, but to be a blessing to those who have so few blessings, will thrill with satisfaction."—Ibid., p. 37.
A third blessing gained from this fine work is the spirit of fellowship and unity which is built up among the women as they labor together for others. A bond of sisterhood is created which makes for that good feeling among the members that will do more than any amount of argument to convince others that we are God's children. "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." John 13:35.
Finally I wish to mention the help which the district pastor receives by tying the Dorcas program in with the Ingathering campaign. I prepared a page for my Ingathering prospectus last year, using clippings from our local newspaper concerning the needs which often exist at our very door, and told of the welfare activities of our Dorcas Society in meeting these needs. I find that the average businessman, with his nose buried in his own affairs, lacks the world viewpoint of Seventh-day Adventists. The story of one home-town family who were furnished assistance after their house burned down touches him far more than the account of millions spent to relieve much more desperate situations in Bangkok, Manila, or Berlin. Without an active Dorcas Society working away the year round, our Ingathering solicitors would have little to report at campaign time.
So, Long live Dorcas! And may there be many a Peter among the ministry who will move, by God's help, to raise her to life again in the churches where she lies asleep in death!
