Evangelism of the Highest Type
With Graceful Dignity and Simplicity—Those who do the work
of the Lord in the cities must put forth calm, steady, devoted effort
for the education of the people. While they are to labor earnestly to
interest the hearers, and to hold this interest, yet at the same time they
must carefully guard against anything that borders on sensationalism.
In this age of extravagance and outward show, when men think it
necessary to make a display in order to gain success, God’s chosen
messengers are to show the fallacy of spending means needlessly for
effect. As they labor with simplicity, humility, and graceful dignity,
avoiding everything of a theatrical nature, their work will make a
lasting impression for good.
There is a necessity, it is true, for expending money judiciously in
advertising the meetings, and in carrying forward the work solidly. Yet
the strength of every worker will be found to lie, not in these outward
agencies, but in trustful dependence upon God, in earnest prayer to
Him for help, in obedience to His Word. Much more prayer, much
more Christlikeness, much more conformity to God’s will, is to be
brought into the Lord’s work. Outward show and extravagant outlay
of means will not accomplish the work to be done.
God’s work is to be carried forward with power. We need the
baptism of the Holy Spirit. We need to understand that God will add
to the ranks of His people men of ability and influence who are to act
their part in warning the world. Not all in the world are lawless and
sinful. God has many thousands who have not bowed the knee to Baal.
There are God-fearing men and women in the fallen churches. If this
were not so, we would not be given the message to bear: “Babylon
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the great is fallen, is fallen.” “Come out of her, My people.” Many of
the honest in heart are gasping for a breath of life from heaven. They
will recognize the gospel when it is brought to them in the beauty and
simplicity with which it is presented in God’s Word.—
Testimonies
For The Church 9:109-111
(1909).
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