Pastoral Evangelism
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Dedicating Children—Let the minister not forget to encourage
the precious lambs of the flock. Christ, the majesty of heaven, said,
“Suffer the little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not: for
of such is the kingdom of God.” Jesus does not send the children to
the rabbis; He does not send them to the Pharisees; for He knows that
these men would teach them to reject their best friend. The mothers
that brought their children to Jesus, did well. Remember the text,
“Suffer the little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not: for of
such is the kingdom of God.” Let mothers now lead their children to
Christ. Let ministers of the gospel take the little children in their arms,
and bless them in the name of Jesus. Let words of tenderest love be
spoken to the little ones; for Jesus took the lambs of the flock in His
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arms, and blessed them.—
The Review and Herald, March 24, 1896
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Sabbath Sermons for Visitors—When learned men, statesmen,
and so-called honorable men are present in a place of worship, the
minister thinks he must give them an intellectual treat; but in attempt-
ing to do this he loses a precious opportunity of teaching the very
lessons that were presented by the greatest Teacher the world ever
knew. All the congregations in our land need to learn more of Christ
and Him crucified. A religious experience that is not founded in Christ
and Him alone is worthless. These men of intellectual powers need a
clear, Scriptural presentation of the plan of salvation. Let the truth, in
its simplicity and power, be presented to them. If this does not hold
the attention and arouse the interest, they never can be interested in
heavenly and divine things. In every congregation there are souls who
are unsatisfied. Every Sabbath they want to hear something definite
explaining how they can be saved, how they are to become Christians.
The important thing for them to know is, How can a sinner be pre-
sented before God? Let the way of salvation be presented before them
in simplicity, just as plainly as you would speak to a little child. Lift
up Jesus as the sinner’s only hope.—
Manuscript 4, 1893
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Neglecting the Work for Reading and Study—The duties of
a pastor are often shamelessly neglected because the minister lacks
strength to sacrifice his personal inclinations for seclusion and study.
The pastor should visit from house to house among his flock, teaching,
conversing, and praying with each family, and looking out for the
welfare of their souls. Those who have manifested a desire to become
acquainted with the principles of our faith should not be neglected, but
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