Missionary Convention Readings
For Sabbath, October 14, 1905
The following suggestive program is intended for small churches where there are but few to take part:— SONG: “Working, O Christ, with Thee,” page 381, “Christ in Song.” READING: “Victories by One.” SONG: “Stand Like the Brave,” page 383, “Christ in Song.” DISCUSSION of the Reading in three-minute talks by those who have had individual victories, or who will seek for victories in earnest efforts for others. READING: “The Need of the Hour.” SONG: “O Where Are the Reapers?” page 411, “Christ in Song.” READING: “What Has Been Done; What Is to Be Done.” REPORTS from members, stating the preparation they have made for the work in providing themselves with the REVIEW, tracts, etc. SONG: “Gleams of the Golden Morning,” page 683, “Christ in Song.” READING: “Forget Not the Stranger.” ORGANIZATION: General remarks on the readings and campaign work, appointing committees, and organizing for the various lines of work suggested by the general campaign committee. SONG: “Jesus Saves,” page 46, “Christ in Song.” PRAYER SEASON: Several short consecration prayers. The following program is suggested for the larger churches having a membership sufficient to render it:— SONG: “Wake the Song of Joy and Gladness,” page 208, “Christ in Song.” QUARTET: “The Missionary’s Call” (REVIEW, Aug. 17, 1905). REMARKS: “The Object of the Convention.” READING: “Victories by One.” DISCUSSION of the Reading by two appointed members. SOLO: “I’ll Go Where You Want Me to Go,” page 390, “Christ in Song.” READING: “The Need of the Hour.” PRAYER SERVICE: Several short, earnest petitions for divine aid to meet the “Need of the Hour.” SONG: “I Need Thee Every Hour,” page 413, “Christ in Song.” READING: “What Has Been Done; What Is to Be Done.” DISCUSSION:—
(a) The REVIEW in every Sabbath-keeping home, and our Missionary Periodicals.
(b) Circulation of Tracts and Books by every Seventh-day Adventist.
(c) Bible Work and Missionary Correspondence. MUSIC: Vocal or Instrumental. READING: “Forget Not the Stranger.” EXPERIENCES in Missionary Work, 15 minutes. SONG: “Trust and Obey,” page 443, “Christ in Song.” ORGANIZATION for efficient work: Assigning leaders for various departments of the work, appointing committees, etc. Some churches may wish to arrange for an all-day convention, and if so, this last program could be divided. Close the first meeting with the song, “I Need Thee Every Hour.” Then at the opening of the second meeting sing, “What Hast Thou Done for Me?” page 39, “Christ in Song.” Follow with prayer and a short appropriate Scripture reading if desired. Then go on with the program, beginning with the reading, “What Has Been Done.” The above programs are merely suggestive. It is not expected they will be applicable to all churches, but they may serve as helps where they can not be fully followed; yet we recommend that either one or the other be followed as far as possible. They should not be discarded unless something better can be provided. In no instance should there be a substitution in the programs for the readings, as these have been carefully prepared, and should be read in every church on the day appointed for the conventions in preference to any other service, and they should be carefully studied by those who are appointed to read them, that they may personally become imbued with the spirit of them, and be able to render them as forcibly as possible. While it is always good to assign the various parts to those who can best present them, those who have never taken part in public exercises should be encouraged when their services are needed, to take some part of the program, and to thoroughly prepare for its rendering in the convention services. The young people in the church should be prominent in all the exercises; they should be assigned parts in the readings, music, and other exercises of the convention; they should receive the impression that the convention is as much for them as for others, and that they are important factors in the great missionary campaign. An early meeting of the church officers should be called, and final arrangements made for the details of the programs and assigning parts to individuals.