Evening Meetings
103
decidedly upon the side of Christ. The Saviour had purchased them by
his blood, and he had given them precious talents of influence which
they had wasted and abused, and given to the service of the Lord’s
bitterest enemy. Now there was an opportunity for them to change
leaders, and to unite their interests with those of Christ’s true workers.
As I spoke, I felt the peril of souls; that some would decide from
[184]
that time to obey the truth, or would refuse the cross, and reject the
offers of mercy. We are to do our work in sowing the gospel seed
as though each opportunity were our last to present Christ and him
crucified before those assembled; and we should speak to them in such
tenderness and love, yet with plainness and fidelity, that though we
never meet them again, we shall have done our whole duty.
I spoke five times in Copenhagen. While I was glad to present the
truth to the few who could be accommodated in our small meeting-
rooms, I would have been pleased to honor my Master by bearing his
message to a large number. I am far from being convinced that these
small and obscure halls were the best places that could be secured, or
that in this great city of three hundred and twenty thousand inhabitants,
the message should be given in a basement room that will accommo-
date but two hundred, and this but half seated, so that a large part of
the congregation have to stand. When God sends our brethren help,
they should make earnest effort, even at some expense, to bring the
light before the people. This message is to be given to the world; but
unless our brethren have broad ideas and plans, they will not see much
accomplished. While we should labor earnestly for the poorer classes,
we are not to confine our efforts to them, nor should our plans be so
laid that we shall have only this class of hearers. Men of ability are
needed. The more intellectual ability is brought into the work, so long
as the talent is consecrated to God and sanctified by his Spirit, the
more perfect the work will be, and the higher it will stand before the
world. The people generally will refuse the message of warning; yet
efforts must be made to bring the truth before those of position and
education as well as the poor and illiterate.