Practical Benefits From the Ministerial Reading Course
By W. E. HOWELL
It is gratifying to note the benefits being received by members who are faithfully pursuing the Ministerial Reading Course. A letter just received from Elder E. R. Potter, of British Columbia, is a fair sample of many that are coming in from day to day, testifying to the practical value of thorough and systematic reading. He says:— “It gives me pleasure to report that I have just completed reading the three books included in the 1914 Ministerial Reading Course. In reading the first book, ‘Preparing to Preach,’ I was captivated from the first, and read it through very carefully, marking the important points and lessons, all the time thinking to myself that there will be parts of the book which will not interest me so much and which I can read faster. But I never found the place where I could read ‘on the run,’ but was compelled to ‘take notice’ of every chapter and page. The help I received from the reading of this book exceeds my pretty-well-enlarged expectation as to means, manner, and methods. “I read ‘The Monuments and the Old Testament’ next, and found it to cover the ground of that subject more thoroughly than anything I had read before. I appreciate the book very much as a reference book to use in my work in dealing with doubts and doubters. “The last book read was the book I had read many parts of before, but now I can say I appreciate ‘The Acts of the Apostles’ as I had scarcely dreamed that I should. To me it seems providential that I was directed to read this book just at this time. In my work here in Vernon I have tried to sow the seeds of truth, and have been more than ever impressed that we have a chain of truth which overthrows all opposition from the standpoint of argument and facts. I have seen persons one after another acknowledge that we are right in doctrine, but fail to make the decision and act upon it. In reading this book I have discovered a message God has for me. The instruction concerning the ‘daily baptism of the Spirit,’ found on pages 50 and 362 and 363, is of such importance that all else sinks into insignificance compared to it. “I have witnessed in the last few days the working of this Spirit in a marked manner. Persons for whom I have labored and prayed for months have been impressed by the Spirit of God to take their stand on the side of truth. The message of this book to me is, Press on with increasing zeal to present the clear-cut principles and arguments of the message, but far more than ever keep in mind that daily and hourly conscious communion with God is required to enable the Spirit of God to use your efforts in winning souls for him; for the statement is made, ‘Communion with God will impart to the minister’s efforts a power greater than the influence of his preaching.’—Page 362.” “I need not tell you that I have enjoyed the part I have had in the Ministerial Reading Course. I shall order the books for the 1915 course in a few days.” Finish the Course for 1914
We hope that all those who are still working back on the course for 1914 will persevere till they finish it. It will bless them and encourage others. Registrations for 1915 continue to come in, as also most gratifying reports on the first book. Our reading schedule for the year is as follows:— “Medical Science of Today,” January to March. “The Minister as Shepherd,” April to May. The new “Gospel Workers,” June to August. “History of the Ancient World,” September to December. Christian Education magazine, all the year. The way is still open for registrations.