p. 6 | Evangelistic Effort by William Covert

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 1, 1911

Evangelistic Effort

By William Covert

WILLIAM COVERT

God weighed a lost soul’s possible worth in the balance of his love, and then gave the life of his Son to ransom that soul from guilt and the power of sin and the grave. The whiteness of that soul when washed from the stain of sin was seen by the infinite eye, and the greatest price that Heaven could command was freely paid for its cleansing and release. God saw what the marvelous worth of that soul would be in the limitless times of eternity, and so the purchase was made.

Now, since God has done what he has for that soul, the question may well be asked, “How much is man willing to do for it?” Will he do what he can to help that lost soul for whom the price has been paid? Will the soul who has been found, help to find some other soul that is lost? The Son of God came down from heaven to save lost souls. He knew what was involved in coming, yet he came. Is the reader willing to work diligently, and sacrifice ease, that he may assist in the work of soul-saving?

Who will do as Paul did after he found salvation through Christ? He said he did not count his life too dear to give to the cause which had given so much for him. The days were not too long, nor the nights too dark, to check his labor for souls. When he entered a field to work, he did not wait for weeks or even days to pass, but began immediately to search out the lost. He prayed for sinners without ceasing, and sought them day and night to the extent of his strength, because he was engaged in soul-winning. He preached of redemption from sin through Christ the Saviour, with such earnestness that those who heard him seemed to behold the crucifixion enacted before their eyes while they listened to his fervent appeals. Though a man of unusual ability and wideness of learning, yet he determined to know only Jesus Christ and him crucified. Why should we be less earnest in our labors than was Paul? Greater reasons for strenuous work exist now than caused the apostle’s ardor to glow with such brightness; for the days of probation are now nearly gone, and the time for labor is almost ended. Our field covers more inhabited territory, and contains more souls in need of salvation, than ever before. These conditions call for reapers who will labor with unflagging zeal while gathering in the grain which otherwise would be wasting in the fields.

What will the Lord of the harvest say to those who pose as laborers, but who do not or can not gather sheaves into the garner?

Since our Lord died to redeem sinners, and we have accepted the salvation purchased by his blood, how much should we do to show them the way of this salvation? Can we still retain the blessed hope we have accepted, and maintain the fervor and the love of it, while making no special effort to save the lost?

Surely an indifferent, listless attitude toward the salvation of sinners is not possible for Christians now. They will show their interest by their labor and their liberality. Their investments in these things will be equal to their appreciation of them. They will labor earnestly, suffer long, and be kind. Their spirit should be a halo of glory wherever they go; and it may be so with all who seek God for the divine illumination.

Chicago, Ill.