Hygienic Restaurants
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health and Christian temperance, where they can receive instruction on
the preparation of wholesome food and on other important subjects. In
these meetings there should be prayer and singing and talks, not only
on health and temperance topics, but also on other appropriate Bible
subjects. As the people are taught how to preserve physical health,
many opportunities will be found to sow the seeds of the gospel of the
kingdom.
The subjects should be presented in such a way as to impress the
people favorably. There should be in meetings nothing of a theatrical
nature. The singing should not be done by a few only. All present
should be encouraged to join in the song service. There are those who
have a special gift of song, and there are times when a special message
is borne by one singing alone or by several uniting in song. But the
singing is seldom to be done by a few. The ability to sing is a talent
of influence, which God desires all to cultivate and use to His name’s
glory.
Those who come to our restaurants should be supplied with reading
matter. Their attention should be called to our literature on temperance
and dietetic reform, and leaflets treating on the lessons of Christ should
also be given them. The burden of supplying this reading matter should
be shared by all our people. All who come should be given something
to read. It may be that many will leave the tract unread, but some
among those in whose hand you place it may be searching for light.
They will read and study what you give them, and then pass it on to
others.
The workers in our restaurants should live in such close connection
with God that they will recognize the promptings of His Spirit to talk
personally about spiritual things to such and such a one who comes to
the restaurant. When self is crucified and Christ is formed within, the
hope of glory, we shall reveal in thought, word and deed, the reality of
our belief in the truth. The Lord will be with us, and through us the
Holy Spirit will work to reach those who are out of Christ.
The Lord has instructed me that this is the work to be done by
those conducting our restaurants. The pressure and rush of business
must not lead to a neglect of the work of soul-saving. It is well to
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minister to the physical wants of our fellow-men, but if ways are not
found to let the light of the gospel shine forth to those who come day
by day for their meals, how is God glorified by our work?