256
Evangelism
Getting Decision Now Difficult—In our day it is a difficult matter
to bring those who profess to believe the truth to the experimental
knowledge of its vitalizing, sanctifying power. This has been expe-
rienced in years gone by, but form has taken the place of the power,
and its simplicity has been lost in a round of ceremonies.—
Manuscript
104, 1898
.
A Parable—Gathering the Ripening Fruitage—In a dream
given me September 29, 1886, I was walking with a large company
who were looking for berries. ... The day wore on, and very little was
accomplished. At last I said: “Brethren, you call this an unsuccessful
expedition. If this is the way you work, I do not wonder at your lack of
success. Your success or failure depends upon the way you take hold
of the work. There are berries here; for I have found them. Some of
[294]
you have been searching the low bushes in vain; others have found a
few berries; but the high bushes have been passed by, simply because
you did not expect to find fruit on them. You see that the fruit which
I have gathered is large and ripe. In a little while other berries will
ripen, and we can go over the bushes again. This is the way in which I
was taught to gather fruit. If you had searched near the wagon, you
might have found fruit as well as I....
“The Lord has placed these fruit-bearing bushes right in the midst
of these thickly settled places, and He expects you to find them. But
you have been altogether too much engaged in eating, and amusing
yourselves. You did not come to the field with an earnest determination
to find fruit....
“By working in the right way, you will teach the younger workers
that such matters as eating and recreation are of minor importance. It
has been hard work to bring the wagon of supplies to the ground, but
you have thought more of the supplies than of the fruit you ought to
carry home as the result of your labors. You should be diligent, first to
pick the berries nearest you, and then to search for those farther away;
after that you can return and work near by again, and thus you will be
successful.”—
Gospel Workers, 136-139
(1886).
Wrestle With God for Souls—If we have the interest that John
Knox had when he pleaded before God for Scotland, we shall have
success. He cried, “Give me Scotland, Lord, or I die.” And when
we take hold of the work and wrestle with God, saying, “I must have