p. 15 | Modern Evangelism by F. M. W.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 8, 1910

Modern Evangelism

By F. M. W.

MUCH has been said of late regarding the success of so-called great evangelistic efforts which have been carried on in different parts of the world. Judging from reports, it must be confessed that so far as sensation is concerned, they have achieved results. It is to be questioned, however, how much real, lasting good is accomplished by some of these spectacular methods of winning men to God. Commenting upon a recent revival, in which some seven thousand converts were reported, and a collection secured of twelve thousand dollars, the Washington Herald of November 12 says:—

And yet we mistrust the value of this sort of evangelistic work. We see the churches with able and efficient pastors going about their work steadily, appealing to reason, and preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ, without any such astonishing results. Conversions are made in the established churches, and there the converted usually become steady church-members, and, by so much, better and more useful citizens. But this brand of evangelical conversion has little that is solid about it; nothing at all to appeal to the thoughtful man. It is based primarily on emotionalism, hysteria, and a sort of religious hypnotism, that leads men and women who take part in it, and who listen to it long enough, to be moved by strange impulses, to come forward when called upon, and sit upon the mourner’s bench. . . . At these evangelical meetings people say they are converted, and want to be better, but it is through no process of sober reasoning that they arrive at such a conclusion; it is rather that they are carried on a wave of excitement, in which the whole community shares for a time, and, when the evangelist departs, with the congratulations of the preachers for the good work he has done, a reaction sets in, and the alleged conversions do not amount to so much after all. We doubt very much whether successful religious work is to be measured by the number of ‘conversions’ or the amount of money collected. It is the patient toiler in the vineyard of the Master who reaps the real harvest.

It is not for us to judge of the motives or purposes of the men engaged in this work. Their motives may be of the very best; but it must be admitted that the methods which they employ are exceedingly questionable. Revivals have their use, but after all it is the earnest, daily Christian living which tells most for God; and, as the Herald justly remarks, it is ‘the patient toiler in the vineyard of the Master who reaps the real harvest.’

F. M. W.