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The Publishing Ministry
of presenting the saving truths of the third angel’s message to their
friends and acquaintances. Many have been taught how to labor as
self-supporting missionaries in their home communities. Many have
returned home from these annual gatherings to labor with greater zeal
and intelligence than hitherto.
It would be pleasing to God if far more of this practical instruction
were given the church members who attend our camp meetings, than
has usually been given in years past. Our general workers and our
brethren and sisters in every conference should remember that one of
the objects of our annual gatherings is that all may gain a knowledge
of practical methods of personal missionary work....
In some of our conferences the leaders have hesitated to introduce
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these practical methods of instruction. Some are naturally inclined to
sermonize rather than to teach. But on such occasions as our annual
camp meetings we must never lose sight of the opportunities afforded
for teaching the believers how to do practical missionary work in the
place where they may live. In many instances it would be well to set
apart certain men to carry the burden of different lines of educational
work at these meetings. Let some help the people to learn how to give
Bible readings and to conduct cottage meetings. Let others bear the
burden of teaching the people how to practice the principles of health
and temperance, and how to give treatments to the sick. Still others
may labor in the interests of our periodical and book work. [
Such
contacts provide opportunities to recruit new literature evangelists.
]
And let chosen workers take a special interest in teaching many how to
handle Christ’s Object Lessons and Ministry of Healing.—
Testimonies
for the Church 9:81-83
.
Learning to Make a Wise Use of Literature—When we follow
plans of the Lord’s devising “we are laborers together with God.”
Whatever our position—whether presidents of conferences, ministers,
teachers, students, or lay members—we are held accountable by the
Lord for making the most of our opportunities to enlighten those
in need of present truth. And one of the principal agencies He has
ordained for our use is the printed page. In our schools and sanitariums,
in our home churches, and particularly in our annual camp meetings,
we must learn to make a wise use of this precious agency. With patient
diligence chosen workers must instruct our people how to approach
unbelievers in a kindly, winning way and how to place in their hands