Labor in the Cities
In connection with the proclamation of the message in large cities,
there are many kinds of work to be done by laborers with varied gifts.
Some are to labor in one way, some in another. The Lord desires that
the cities shall be worked by the united efforts of laborers of different
capabilities. All are to look to Jesus for direction, not depending on
man for wisdom, lest they be led astray. As laborers together with God,
they should seek to be in harmony with one another. There should be
frequent councils, and earnest, whole-hearted co-operation. Yet all
are to look to Jesus for wisdom, not depending upon men alone for
direction.
The Lord has given to some ministers the ability to gather and to
hold large congregations. This calls for the exercise of tact and skill.
In the cities of today, where there is so much to attract and please, the
people can be interested by no ordinary efforts. Ministers of God’s
appointment will find it necessary to put forth extraordinary efforts in
order to arrest the attention of the multitudes. And when they succeed
in bringing together a large number of people, they must bear messages
of a character so out of the usual order that the people will be aroused
and warned. They must make use of every means that can possibly be
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devised for causing the truth to stand out clearly and distinctly. The
testing message for this time is to be borne so plainly and decidedly as
to startle the hearers, and lead them to desire to study the Scriptures.
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.
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