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Evangelism
unpromising as one that has been cultivated just enough to give the
weeds a more luxuriant growth. By this method of labor many souls
have been left to the buffeting of Satan and the opposition of members
of other churches who have rejected the truth; and many are driven
where they can never again be reached. A minister might better not
engage in the work unless he can bind it off thoroughly....
Unless those who receive the truth are thoroughly converted, unless
there is a radical change in the life and character, unless the soul is
riveted to the eternal Rock, they will not endure the test of trial. After
the minister leaves and the novelty has worn off, the truth loses its
power to charm, and they exert no holier influence than before.
God’s work is not to be done in a bungling, slipshod manner.
When a minister enters a field, he should work that field thoroughly.
He should not be satisfied with his success until he can, through earnest
labor and the blessing of Heaven, present to the Lord converts who have
a true sense of their responsibility, and who will do their appointed
work. If he has properly instructed those under his care, when he
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leaves for other fields of labor the work will not ravel out; it will be
bound off so firmly as to be secure.—
Gospel Workers, 367-369
(1915).
To Do a Thorough Work—There is danger that those who hold
meetings in our cities will be satisfied with doing a surface work.
Let the ministers and the presidents of our conferences arouse to the
importance of doing a thorough work. Let them labor and plan with
the thought in mind that time is nearly ended, and that because of this
they must work with redoubled zeal and energy.—
The Review and
Herald, January 11, 1912
.
While we should be ever ready to follow the opening providence
of God, we should lay no larger plans, occupy no more ground in
branching out than there is help and means to bind off the work well
and keep up and increase the interest already started. While there
are larger plans and broader fields constantly opening for the laborers,
there must be broader ideas, and broader views in regard to the workers
who are to labor to bring souls into the truth.—
Letter 34, 1886
.
Leave a Well-Bound Off Work—Churches are raised up and left
to go down while new fields are being entered. Now these churches
are raised up in much cost in labor and in means, and then neglected
and allowed to ravel out. This is the way matters are going now....