Getting Acquainted With the People
Meeting the People as They Come and Go—In conducting the
important interests of meetings near a large city, the co-operation of
all the workers is essential. They should keep in the very atmosphere
of the meetings, becoming acquainted with the people as they come
in and go out, showing the utmost courtesy and kindness, and tender
regard for their souls. They should be ready to speak to them in season
and out of season, watching to win souls. O that Christ’s workers
would show one half as much vigilance as does Satan, who is always
on the track of human beings, always wide awake, watching to lay
some gin or snare for their destruction.—
Testimonies For The Church
6:46
(1900).
Evangelist’s Responsibility to the Interested—It is important
that all who design to labor in the cause of God should learn the very
best manner of prosecuting their work.... I have been shown that many
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efforts which have been made at great expense to present the truth,
have been in a large measure unsuccessful, because the very kind of
labor that is required has not been done. We have tried for years to
present before our people the necessity of working more intelligently....
When the discourses are given in the desk, the work is just entered
upon. Then the minister should, by personal effort if possible, become
acquainted with every one of his hearers. If they have interest enough
to come out and hear what you have to say, you should respond to it by
a decided interest on your part to make their personal acquaintance....
Satan and his agents are sharper than our workers. While he is
planning and devising and laying his nets to take souls unawares, our
brethren are frequently taking things in a very easy manner, and Satan
out-generals them almost every time. Now, if they would have the
field preoccupied by God and by heavenly angels, they must throw
their whole being, soul, body, and spirit, into the work of God, and not
make a pretense of doing the work, when it is not half done....
The discourse given from the desk should not be lengthy, for this
not only wearies the people, but so draws upon the time and strength
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