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Evangelism
through the abundance of her delicacies. And I heard another voice
from heaven, saying, Come out of her, My people, that ye be not
partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.”—
The
Review and Herald, March 16, 1897
.
Emphasize Life Through Jesus—The question of the nonim-
mortality of the soul also needs to be treated with great care, lest in
introducing the subject there be started a deep and exciting controversy
which will close the door to further investigation of the truth.
Great wisdom is required in dealing with human minds, even in
giving a reason of the hope that is within us....What is the hope of
which we are to give a reason? The hope of eternal life through Jesus
Christ.... You dwell too much upon special ideas and doctrines, and
the heart of the unbeliever is not softened. To try to impress him is
like striking upon cold iron....
[248]
We are in constant need of wisdom to know when to speak and
when to keep silent. But there is always perfect safety in talking of
the hope of eternal life. And when the heart is all melted and subdued
by the love of Jesus, the inquiry will be, “Lord, what must I do to be
saved?”—
Letter 12, 1890
.
Wisdom Required in Presenting Testing Truths—Our growth
has been, in untried fields, generally slow because of the seventh-day
Sabbath. There stands a sharp cross directly in the way of every soul
who accepts the truth.
There are other truths, such as the nonimmortality of the soul and
the personal coming of Christ in the clouds of heaven to our earth in a
short time. But these are not as objectionable as the Sabbath. Some
will conscientiously accept the truth for its own sake, because it is Bible
truth, and they love the path of obedience to all the commandments
of God. These objectionable features of our faith will bar the way
to many souls who do not wish to be a peculiar people, distinct and
separate from the world. Therefore, great wisdom is required to be
exercised in the matter of how the truth is brought before the people.
There are certain clearly defined ends to gain at the very introduction
of missionary effort. If the plans and methods had been of a different
character, even if they necessarily involved more outlay of means,
there would have been far better results.—
Letter 14, 1887
.
Lay Off Combative Armor—Some ministers, when they find
before them unbelievers who are prejudiced against our views upon