Letter to a Minister and His Wife Bound for Africa
13
in order to place the work high in all your plans, proportionate to its
importance.
Much has been lost through following the mistaken ideas of some
of our good brethren. Their plans were narrow, and they lowered
the work to their peculiar ways and ideas so that the higher classes
were not reached. The appearance of the work impressed the minds
of unbelievers as being of very little worth—some stray offshoot of
religious theory entirely beneath their notice. Much also has been lost
through want of wise methods of labour. Every effort should be made
to give dignity and character to the work. Special efforts should be
made to secure the goodwill of men in responsible positions, not by
sacrificing even one principle of truth or righteousness, but by simply
giving up our own ways and manner of approaching the people.
Much more would be effected if more tact and discretion were used
in the presentation of the truth. Through the neglect of this many have
a misconception of our faith and of our doctrine which they would not
have if the very first impression made upon their minds had been more
favourable.
It is our duty to get as close to the people as we can. This kind
of labour will not have an influence to exclude the poorer and lower
classes, but both high and low will have an opportunity to be benefited
by the truths of the Bible; both will have a chance to become acquainted
with you and to understand that the religion of the Bible never degrades
the receiver. They will perceive the duties and responsibilities resting
upon them to be representatives of Jesus Christ upon the earth.
The truth received in the heart is constantly elevating, refining,
and ennobling the receiver. This is not a worldly wisdom, but a God-
given wisdom, the ways and means of which the believers in the truth
should study, so that the truth may reach those classes who can exert
an influence in its favour, and who will sustain its advancement with
their means. The duty we owe to our fellow men places us under moral
obligation of putting out our talents to the exchangers so that we may
double them by winning many souls to Jesus Christ,—souls who have
influence, whom God has seen fit to entrust with large capacity for
[16]
doing good.
The workers in this cause should not feel that the only way they
can do is to go at the people pointedly, with all subjects of truth and
doctrine as held by Seventh-day Adventists, for this would close their