The Cleveland General Conference was an inspiring occasion for our Bible instructors who arrived from near and far. We were happily surprised at the number in attendance. Our best approximation would be close to one hundred. Perhaps the Evangelistic Convention drew most of them, but many were able to remain at least for one weekend of the session. These workers showed a keen interest in the timely discussions of the convention, which included the problems of the Bible instructor.
Our much-anticipated mission pageant on the first Sabbath of the session included a representative group of overseas Bible instructors. On the following Sabbath the work of the Bible instructor was well featured during the program "Moving the World Godward." Tape recordings, slides, music by the choirs, all added color, pathos, and joy to the large gathering. We recognized that the work of evangelism is moving ahead and that the soul-winning Bible instructor has a most satisfying calling.
During the session, a Bible instructor fellowship meeting provided a delightful opportunity to get better acquainted. During the past quadrennium many new workers have entered the field, and their helpful service is making an impact on our work. There were present those who have carried the heavy burdens of the Bible work for several decades and these brought dignity and great inspiration to the meeting. The presence of a number now officially retired, yet still active in Bible work, told of the devotion this ministry requires.
We will long remember the inspiration brought to us by the messages of the two sisters from Finland, Elsa Luukkanen and Aino Lehtoluoto. Sister Elsa is a successful evangelist and Sister Aino is her Bible instructor.
These devoted women are deeply in earnest about their soul-winning responsibilities. While vacationing in Canada, prior to the General Conference, they conducted an evangelistic campaign on a self-supporting basis and have already led a group of believers into baptism. Before returning to their native land for service they want to continue their work in Port Arthur and add to the number already won to the message. As we listened we were thrilled to hear their experiences and also enjoyed their singing.
Mrs. Thelma Smith, of Formosa, brought greetings from Abbie Dunn, her companion in the Bible work. These two women have long labored for China. We rejoiced that the message is finding promising young people who are being well trained for leadership. Mrs. Smith is Bible instructor at the Taiwan Sanitarium. We then heard from Emilie Levidis, of Heliopolis, Egypt, a wisp of a woman but mighty in influence and service. Mrs. Erna Prieser, of Germany, brought a most cheering message from her homeland, where the Bible instructor fills an important place. Mary Walsh carries on a unique work here in America in training lay Bible instructors. She is at present working in the Pacific Union. Miss Walsh is also a leader in city evangelism. We appreciated learning more about her recent itinerary in Hawaii.
It was good to fellowship together for a little while, and all present were impressed that the Bible work, as a soul-winning service, is still a very active field for consecrated women. We were pleased to see such a large representation of Regional workers. Among them the Bible work is making real progress.
The Ministerial Association booth attracted many Bible instructors. They dropped in for little chats with those in charge and remarked on the beauty and dignity of the decorating. We learned from scores of workers about the importance of THE MINISTRY magazine, and many ministers' wives voiced their appreciation of the "Shepherdess" section in the journal.
You may be interested in a few suggestions brought to our attention during the Cleveland General Conference. These will at least indicate to those who could not attend that our workers are well alerted on the urgency for training more Bible instructors. (1) To have a Bible instructor leader in every conference, at least in each union conference. (2) To grant more Bible instructors the privilege of attending short refresher courses at the Potomac University. (3) To select, from the Bible instructor ranks, workers to be trained as evangelistic nutritionists. (4) To urge future ministers' wives to include in their college course a training in personal evangelism.
To our Bible instructors overseas and those who could not attend the ministerial convention, we convey the Ministerial Association's greetings. Be assured that your interests were represented in the business of the session. Here at headquarters we have long bent every energy to prepare more Bible instructors for the rising needs of the various fields. We believe in your ministry. Whether you are holding forth for the cause in earth's high places or toiling ahead in obscurity, you are marching along with the great Advent Movement.
While your major responsibility is giving Bible studies in the homes of the interested, be diligent in developing apt lay Bible instructors in the churches where you work. Your career is incomplete until you have trained your successors. Do not overlook the young men whose personal work must also meet a great need in evangelism. The note was sounded at Cleveland that their services in the Bible work should be emphasized. Present-day evangelism has need for varied talents, and it encourages us to know that among those training for the ministry, some feel God's call to its personal phase.
Let each Bible instructor have confidence in her calling and cheer young people into its service for humanity.
