Ministerial Institute at College Place, Wash.
By G. B. Thompson
An institute for the workers in the North Pacific Union Conference was held at College Place, Wash., September 25 to October 8. With perhaps one or two exceptions, all the ordained and licensed ministers and Bible workers in the union were present. Over one hundred were enrolled. A large tent was pitched on the college campus, nicely arranged and comfortably seated, in which most of the services were held. The teachers in the college manifested a deep interest, and appreciated the opportunities of the institute. The study periods were arranged in the school so that all the older students could take a part of the institute work each day, making a large addition to the regular daily attendance. In the evening the large pavilion was crowded with students and members of the church. Elder A. G. Daniells led out in the work of the institute, with a strong line of studies on the high calling and responsibility of the ministry and work of God. Strong emphasis was laid on the holy character of this calling, the terrible result of doing the work negligently, thus failing to win souls to God, and the great joy of a victorious, soul-winning ministry. Elder W. A. Spicer gave a clear and forceful line of studies on the certainty of the things that we believe, tracing the many interesting and instructive parallels that are seen between the advent movement and the journeyings of the children of Israel from Egypt to Canaan. These studies tended to renew our faith and confidence in this message. Studies on the place of the Spirit of God in the work of the ministry were given by the writer. One very interesting hour of each day was the question-box period. Answers were given to written questions touching the many perplexing and important matters which are constantly met by the workers in the field, in both evangelical and administrative lines. The questions asked were of a practical and helpful nature, and the instruction was very much appreciated by all who were present. Another especially helpful hour was the daily round-table talk with the younger ministers and Bible workers. At this time suggestions of a practical nature were made to those with somewhat limited experience in their work in the message, especially along spiritual lines of work. Many of the things which hinder our doing the best work for God were pointed out, and right methods of labor were set before these workers. By carefully considering the instruction given, without doubt much more successful work will be done in bringing souls into the truth. From the beginning until the close of the institute all were conscious of a special Presence in our midst. While none were conscious of any great outbreaking sin, a conviction concerning the lack of spiritual power in our labors18rested upon us all. Our ease and indifference, when compared to the life of Him who wept over Jerusalem, and who in the mountains and by the seas poured out his soul to God for the lost, seemed appalling. An intense hunger and thirst for a deeper spiritual life took possession of the heart of every worker, and a determination that the great spiritual dearth of the past should end, and that more fruit should appear as a result of our labors. Many heartfelt confessions were made concerning negligence in praying, the studying of the Word, and meditating on spiritual things. The winning of souls appeared to all as the greatest and most glorious work in which we can engage. All consecrated themselves anew to God to live a more prayerful, spiritual, faithful, and energetic life, and to labor with a greater burden for the salvation of the lost than had characterized their labors in the past. Alone with God, many decided victories were won through prayer. Some told of being aroused from sleep, and in the silent watches of the night, led to consecrate themselves to God to labor anywhere that his providence might call them to go. Some from this number were chosen at this meeting to carry the truth to the dark heathen lands where millions have not heard the message. The measure of our strength as workers for God is indicated not by our activity, but by our spirituality. The value of our labor is measured not in the number of sermons preached, but in souls won to Christ. Every one called of God to work in his vineyard is to be a soul-winner, and in this he is to give full proof of his ministry. To do this requires unremitting, persistent toil, and the carrying of an inexpressible yearning of soul for those bound with the shackles of sin. Only as we bleed for souls can we bring a blessing to them. To be counted finally among the overcomers we must have some scars of our own, won in the conflict and agony of consecrated service. Man can not be won to God without travail of soul, prayer, and appeals from a heart of love. Another has truly said:— “It is enough that His disciples be as their Lord. I know of no man who has been anointed to preach for God who has not walked a path of toil and self-denial hot enough to blister his feet. The price of great victories is great surrender,—surrender of ease, of natural inclination, of everything that interferes with the one great thing we do. Men do not become saints in their sleep. Pastors do not witness great revivals by simply wishing for them. The only royal road is the one which bears the mark of a pierced foot. The light which lights the world is a burning as well as a shining one. As the oil wastes, the flame expires. It is worth while to be consumed with the ardor of our devotion if only we may light the world.”
We feel that we have lost much in our evangelical work by failing to meet to counsel oftener than we have in the past. We believe that this institute will mark a new era in the work of the message in this part of the field. All felt that it was a real crisis in their experience, and that they must bear more fruit for God than in the past or be counted a cumberer of the ground. There is no limit to what God can do for a consecrated heart. A consecration like that of apostolic days will bring similar results, and the same power that attended the work then will attend it in its closing period. Plans were laid in the union for a strong evangelical work in the future, and the workers returned to their fields of labor with renewed courage in God, expecting that the refreshing which they had experienced from prayer, and study of the Word while we were together, would enable them to bring greater blessings to the churches, and to build up memorials for God in fields where the saving truths of the message are not yet known. G. B. THOMPSON.