116
Evangelism
from the pulpit would be given to the congregations, ... telling them
the things that the Adventists designed to do.
From the light given me by the Lord, I have a warning to present
to our brethren. Do not wise generals keep their movements strictly
secret, lest the enemy shall learn their plans, and work to counteract
them? If the enemy has no knowledge of their movements, they have
an advantage.
We are to study the field carefully and are not to think that we must
follow the same methods in every place. If we move wisely, without
one tinge of boasting, without stopping to challenge the enemy, if we
advance one line of truth after another, crowding in the most important
and soul-testing [truths], the Lord will take care of the result....
Wait; pitch the tents when the time for camp meeting comes. Put
them up rapidly, and then give notice of the meetings. Whatever may
have been your former practice, it is not necessary to repeat it again
and again in the same way. God would have new and untried methods
followed. Break in upon the people—surprise them.—
Manuscript 121,
1897
.
Tactful Methods, Not Deception—You need not feel that all the
truth is to be spoken to unbelievers on any and every occasion. You
should plan carefully what to say and what to leave unsaid. This is not
practicing deception; it is to work as Paul worked. He says, “Being
crafty, I caught you with guile.” You must vary your labor, and not
[126]
have one way which you think must be followed at all times and in all
places. Your ways may seem to you a success, but if you used more
tact, more of the wisdom of the serpent, you would have seen much
more real results of your work.—
Letter 12, 1887
.
Poor Hall Advertises Defeat—I am convinced that we might
have had a good hearing if our brethren had secured a suitable hall to
accommodate the people. But they did not expect much, and therefore
did not receive much. We cannot expect people to come out to hear
unpopular truth when the meetings are advertised to be held in a
basement, or in a small hall that will seat only a hundred persons....
By their lack of faith our laborers sometimes make the work very hard
for themselves.—Historical Sketches, p. 200. (1886).
In God’s Own Way—It is not by outward display that men and
women are to learn what is comprehended by present truth. Our
workers are to practice strict economy. God forbids all extravagance.