The Influence of an Evangelistic Church
By Louise C. Kleuser
The mail recently brought to the Ministerial Association office a cheering report from one of our large city churches. This congregation, the German Brooklyn church in New York City, celebrated its fiftieth anniversary about a year ago. From a resume of its printed history we glean some facts that are worthy of broader study.
In this printed report of the church's history the various ministers who have served there during the five decades are listed. The names of the Bible instructors and their terms of office are also mentioned. More than a thousand souls joined the church by baptism. More important, however, is the item which shows that this church has produced 68 workers: 12 ministers; 5 Bible instructors; I dietitian; 3 departmental secretaries; 18 teachers; u doctors; 18 nurses. The story is not complete, of course, for there are many more young people still in training in our various institutions, some definitely planning for overseas service.
Because of the faithfulness of this church the message first reached my own family. The con tact was made by one of its church members, and we later received studies from the Bible instructor. Our new-found church believed in a continuous Sunday night evangelism, and soon we found ourselves a very active part of its inspiring missionary program. Through the years we have been aware of the evangelistic vision of this church, and it is not surprising that we can now see tangible returns of its solid soul- winning program. Its ministers were selected because of their evangelistic ability. During the fifty years the offerings of the congregation reached into the millions. The church believes in all of its members working for the cause. Its youth are taught to lead out in the Sabbath school and Missionary Volunteer Society. In more recent years the church has furnished counselors for our camps. Dorcas interests, too, have assumed great proportions.
Another point of commendation in our re view of the labors of this church with a vision is its interest in the development of its laymen. Constantly during these decades some of its leading members have moved out into new rural areas where the organization of new churches soon resulted. We know of at least six churches that have their roots in the German Brooklyn church.
There is another item in the church's anniversary report that explains why some churches grow into such sturdy missionary units. The German Brooklyn church has had some strong elders in leadership for more than twenty-five years, and its present treasurer has nobly served the church that long. These efficient local leaders have kept in mind the need for training new leadership, and a fine, efficient group of younger men are now contributing their talents to this church. Its well-trained choirs, in which the church has always taken delight, aid in proclaiming the everlasting gospel message at its inspiring evangelistic services.
We should not overlook another item deserving emphasis in this review of a church's anniversary report. Its Bible instructor, Miss Augusta Meyer, has given this church forty-three years of continuous service. We question if there are many in our ranks who have worked in just one church for as long a period as has this veteran Bible instructor. Most of us may not be privileged to see the results of our labors at such close range. Miss Meyer is well known in the whole area of the city where this church is located. Many families have been led into the truth by her, and the youth of these homes are already numbered among our workers in many parts of the world field.
Summarizing what makes for the development of strong churches, we learn from the experience of the German Brooklyn church that it is basically a sound program of continuous evangelism. A consecrated, farsighted leader ship, holding the youth by means of church responsibilities and the spirit of sacrifice for God's work throughout the world, is a great factor for a healthy church life.
How Is Your Conscience?
By LAMONT MURDOCH, Evangelist, North England Conference
It was Napoleon who once said that there is no class of men so difficult to manage as those whose intentions are honest, but whose consciences are bewitched. In our evangelistic work we are dealing very frequently with men and women in this category. It has always been the purport of our evangels to draw out and win the honest in heart, who as the result of generations of "teaching for doctrines the commandments of men" have been deceived. How often our prospective converts have said to us that they conscientiously believe in evolution and hell-fire, that they are no longer under the law, Sunday is the Sabbath, and so forth; and it is by no means uncommon to hear people actually claim to have a good conscience while living in flagrant sin. It is, therefore, clear what may be called a good conscience is by no means a safe guide. The most delicate work of the minister is that of correcting this mistaken identity, with the Holy Spirit coming to our aid for this very purpose.
It has been said that even the most reckless bewitched sinner always has the thought in his subconscious mind that he will continue in his course this time only, or for just so long, and then he will amend his ways. It is almost certain that in every evangelistic audience there are some who have reached this point. What a challenge, what an inspiration to us to do our very best! A long-lost soul is in the balance, and it all depends on you as God's ambassador.
The conscience has been defined as the voice of -God in man, the throne room of the soul. It ought to tell us when we go astray. It should be man's most faithful friend. The voice of con science is so delicate that it is easy to stifle, but so clear that it is impossible to mistake it. In the days of rationing and restrictions in almost every phase of our daily life great masses of one-time strictly conscientious people found themselves bewildered and conscience stricken.
Paul had to exercise himself in order to have a conscience void of offense toward God and man. Daniel found his conscience in direct contradiction to the decrees in his day, when even prayer was restricted, but he continued to make his requests to the God of heaven as before. If I were to be asked to give one reason, after twenty years in direct evangelism, why people who are mentally convinced that our message is right, do not take their stand for the truth, I should say that it is because of unwillingness to make the sacrifice. Undoubtedly the greatest crisis arises in a man's life when conscience is on one side and selfish desires are on the other. When we allow self to usurp the throne then the soul will grope in darkness at noonday.
Luther's dilemma and decision were made when he said he could do no other than obey his conscience. Polycarp was roasted at the stake because he would not disobey the voice of con science. A good conscience prepares a man not only to live for God but also to die for Him. Since the conscience is in itself not a safe guide, because the god of this world hath be witched the minds of men and women (2 Cor. 4:4), we must educate the conscience, and this can be done only through the preaching of the Word. And just as the watch can be said to tell the right time only when it is in harmony with the sun, so one can claim to have a good con science only when it is in harmony with the Word of God.
A healthy conscience will make some adjustments whenever new light comes. A man's con science should then become his sole tribunal, and he will care no more for his phantom "pre conceived opinions" than he would fear meet ing a ghost. He will want to feel within himself "a peace above all earthly dignities," and possess a still and quiet conscience. The un spoiled conscience invariably leads a man to God. If seared, it will lead to committing the unpardonable sin.
"There is a line, by us unseen, that crosses every path; the hidden boundary between God's patience and His wrath."
