Rack in 1899 we were told that "the wisest, firmest labor should be given to those ministers who are not of our faith. . . . Let faithful, God-fearing, earnest workers . . . pray and work for honest ministers. . . . If this is done, there are many ministers now preaching error, who will preach the truth for this time."—Evangelism, p. 562.
Being especially attracted to this type of work, I spent the past six summers as a student colporteur, traveling in Europe and Canada, always endeavoring to get to know the clergymen of different denominations in the areas I worked. Not satisfied with my own experience, however, I interviewed some of our evangelists, teachers, and colporteurs, and found that others were finding the same joy as had come to my own heart. I hereby submit a few suggestions, hoping they may be of help to others.
1. Get Acquainted With Them
This principle is well expressed by E. M. Chalmers, conference evangelist in Alberta. "Wherever I conduct my campaigns I contact the other ministers in order to get acquainted. On the whole, they are easier to approach than laymen, for a minister is always spiritually inclined. Over and over again I find the shepherds of other flocks as human as we are." Not only is this a helpful suggestion for evangelists, but it may also be considered by pastors, teachers, and Bible workers as well.
2. Visit Their Churches
The outcome of a friendly visit to another church may far exceed our immediate expectations. While doing colporteur work in central Alberta, a student from one of our churches made his temporary home in the house of an elderly woman, a member of the United Church.
He went with her to church the following Sunday. His hostess introduced him to her minister, who in turn introduced him to his congregation, stating he was a student from the British West Indies, now at Canadian Union College. Rudolph was asked to give the Scripture reading that morning, and invited to stay at the minister's home as long as he worked in that territory. But not only that! He was asked by his new host to preach two sermons, one in each of his churches. Rudolph spoke on the second coming of Christ on the first Sunday, and on the Ten Commandments the following weekend. The minister was present both times.
After spending nearly two weeks as a guest at the man's house, this colporteur evangelist left Patriarchs and Prophets with the minister. He already had purchased a copy of Our Day in the Light of Prophecy.
This may have happened to a colporteur, but can a minister ever hope to be as successful as that? Occasionally funeral services have to be conducted in other churches, and our ministers are asked to speak. That is always a privilege. However, "In improving these opportunities, remember the words of the Saviour, 'Be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.' "—Evangelism, pp. 563, 564.
3. Pray With and for These Men
E. M. Chalmers tells this thrilling story. "Before beginning my campaigns I always send out letters of invitation to the ministers living in the district. I wish to be honored with their presence during my meetings."
He told me of one place where a local minister was severely criticizing him. So he called at his home, and they had a visit together. He soon learned the reason for this opposition, for the minister told how some years ago he was studying our Bible correspondence course and was enjoying it until he found out what church was responsible for it. This was evident, of course, when the lessons opened up the question of the Sabbath. Since then he felt he should oppose us whenever a chance came his way, for he felt we were deceivers. Elder Chalmers apologized for the apparent oversight on the matter of identification and then endeavored to give him a true picture of the work of Seventh-day Adventists. They had prayer together and parted as friends. A friendly visit and a prayer by our ministers will not only break the ice of indifference, but will win the friendship of many a clergyman not of our faith. And should there not be a bond of interest and fellowship between shepherds of souls? Some may misunderstand our efforts to be friendly, but many will welcome the gesture of Christian love.
4. Invite Them to Visit Our Schools
Shortly after arriving at our German Marienhoehe Missionary Seminary to begin my ministerial training, I was greatly surprised by being introduced to two young men who were sons of Lutheran ministers. We became friends, and I discovered that in both cases their parents had visited our school, and after finding it completely free from what they had termed the "leaven of modernism," had sent their boys to Marienhoehe to take their senior matriculation.
5. Study With Them
Again, Elder Chalmers can best illustrate this point with one of his recent experiences. "During one of my campaigns a young Methodist man became interested in the message and began taking Bible studies from me. His minister did not approve of that, so we decided to pay him a visit. Together with the young man I called and presented a short study on the Sabbath, at the close of which the minister said, deeply impressed, 'This is what we ministers should be doing more often, getting together to study the Bible, instead of talking about cars and houses.' Turning to the young man he added, 'Since you have studied more about this Sabbath question, it must be clear to you.' Thereupon the young man asked his minister, 'What shall I do, then, shall I keep the Sabbath?' To our amazement, the minister replied, 'That's the only thing you can do and still be honest.'" Here was a true leader, a man of integrity. It is always heartening to meet men of honest purpose.
6. Offer Your Help
The relationship that exists between the Bethel Christian Reformed church, of Lacombe, and Canadian Union College shows what the spirit of helpfulness can do. When the choir of the Bethel church was left without a leader several years ago, Elder and Mrs. J. I. Crawford volunteered to fill in. Mrs. Crawford directed the choir while her husband played the organ. Several public performances had been given during the Christmas season, the last one being given in the college chapel on December 28, 1955. The Crawfords reported that all women members of the choir completely refrained from using make-up, although nothing had ever been said to them about it. Elder Crawford, who was at that time head of the Department of Theology at Canadian Union College, arranged for the college temperance chapter to conduct a young people's program in the Bethel church.
In this connection we may bring up the question, Is there any harm in joining the ministerial associations? Doubtless many of our ministers have wondered about that. We do not have any direct testimony from the Spirit of prophecy, but can there be any harm in attending their meetings when we show a spirit of cooperation and willingness to help, without giving up our principles?
7. Accept Their Help
R. R. Aussner, a successful colporteur and later a licensed minister in the Manitoba-Saskatchewan Conference, tells of an instance where a Catholic priest not only offered him free room and board while he was working in northern Saskatchewan, but when his car broke down this kind priest made his own Austin available. "I delivered quite a few copies of The Great Controversy in that priest's car," he said. In fact his sales went up in that district.
Doubtless such an opportunity will seldom come to a minister, especially one of our ministers. But we must be alert, showing open-mindedness. If we do, we will break down prejudice and find the way to many a heart.
8. Encourage Them
Encouragement is always appreciated and sometimes needed. One of our evangelists not long ago got into a conversation with a young seminary graduate of a different denomination who complained about losing his faith in the Bible as God's Inspired Word. Our brother gave the brief study on Daniel 2 and 7, after which this young "theolog" said, "In our seminary we never bothered investigating prophecy and some of these other truths. We were too busy with other things." When they parted the young man had not only regained his faith in the Bible, but knew something also of the Sabbath truth.
9. Enroll Them in the Bible Course
One of our teachers at the Marienhoehe Missionary Seminary had attended the Heidelberg University to train for the ministry. He was invited by one of our church members to enroll in the Bible course. These lessons gripped his soul, and he was baptized a year later. Today he is finishing his work at the University of Frankfurt and, as opportunity permits, also teaches at our seminary. As soon as he completes his doctorate, he plans to devote his full time to the training of our ministers.
10. Meet With Them on Common Ground
During the summer of 1954 I went to visit a certain minister who had instructed his congregation not to buy any of our books. The first few minutes of our interview reminded me of those icebergs we read about that are actually much larger below than above the surface. But the Lord seemed to give me the right words to speak, and in a few minutes the ice was completely melted. We discussed the subject of justification, and I illustrated the subject from my own experience. At the close of our visit he escorted me to the door, shaking hands warmly, and calling me his "brother in the Lord." There was no more trouble from him or his congregation after that.
Surely we have much common ground with the Christian churches. Why not make use of it? A Roman Catholic priest will readily agree with us on the importance of keeping God's Ten Commandments. A Lutheran minister will open his heart once we make plain to him our view of justification and sanctification; a Baptist pastor, believing as he does in immersion just like we do, will rejoice to discuss the greatness of the grace of God. We may not see immediate results, but do not let us be discouraged.
Jesus saw no encouraging signs immediately after His interview with Nicodemus; yet we find this self-sufficient scholar later defending Christ before a court of zealous Pharisees (John 7:50, 51). And after the death of our Lord, Nicodemus was among the first to visit His tomb, donating a hundred pounds of myrrh and aloes (John 19:39). After the resurrection he came boldly to the front. And we are told that this ruler in Israel "employed his wealth in sustaining the infant church that the Jews had expected to be blotted out at the death of Christ. In the time of peril he who had been so cautious and questioning was firm as a rock, encouraging the faith of the disciples, and furnishing means to carry forward the work of-the gospel."—The Desire of Ages, p. 177.