p. 10 | How to Prepare to Begin Work by W. H. Granger

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 13, 1906

How to Prepare to Begin Work

By W. H. Granger

Methods for Working Our Large Cities—No. 2

How to Prepare to Begin Work

W. H. GRANGER

In the Review of October 25, the word is given that “just at this time we must make special efforts to bring the truth before the people who live in our cities.” I do not believe this means a spasmodic effort, but an effort that will increase in intensity until the work is finished. The making of such an effort demands that the work in our cities be placed on a basis that will be equal to the task before us. This does not necessarily require that the present number of conference workers in our cities be largely increased, but rather that the talent already there be organized and put into active operation. This is a duty that belongs to the workers and church officers. They must be the leaders. Unless they do lead out in this work, but little can or will be accomplished. A lifeless church is a direct reflection on its leaders.

To attempt to preach life into a church is a waste of time. The only remedy is to enlist every member in active service. But those at the head of the work can not do this by saying and not doing. They must inspire the church to activity by their own example.

The first essential, therefore, in placing the work in our cities on a basis such as the Lord demands “just at this time,” is for the workers and church officers located in our cities to arouse themselves to the duties which confront them. Following this comes organization. If the church is large, I would advise that it be organized into companies of about twenty-five each, and that some good, energetic person be placed at the head of each company. The duty of these leaders would be, not only to be examples to their respective companies in leading out in the work, but to see that all the members of their company are kept actively engaged in some branch of the work to the extent of their time and ability.

Besides this, there should be a general officer whose duty would be to see that the leaders of the respective companies are faithful to their charge, and to receive from them itemized monthly reports of the work being done in their companies. The fourth Sabbath should be the day for rendering these reports, the aggregate of which should, in turn, be sent to the local conference paper for monthly publication.

The organization having thus been effected, the next question to be considered is methods of work. At this point I will consider only such methods as may be successfully carried on by the church, independent of conference workers. And for such, I believe house-to-house work with our literature, combined with personal instruction in the homes of the people, to be by far the best method: first, because the majority of people will gladly read literature on Bible topics if it is brought to them in the proper way; and second, all our people can engage in this kind of work (while but few are fitted to give personal Bible readings, all can hand literature to a few regular readers each week); and third, because in this way the truth can be taught to thousands of people to whom access could be had in no other way. And besides this, it enables us to reach a larger number of people in a shorter time than by any other method.

The literature to be used in this work must depend somewhat upon the choice of the individual. For my part, I believe the course of printed Bible lessons known as The Family Bible Teacher to be the ideal literature with which to open up the work. These lessons were prepared specially for house-to-house work, and are so arranged as to place before the readers, in consecutive order, the testing truths of the third angel’s message. Each lesson, while short and to the point, sets before the reader in clear and simple language the main facts on the subject. Another advantage is that they can be had in all the leading languages of the country—the English, German, Danish-Norwegian, Swedish, Spanish, and are now being translated into the Italian and Portuguese languages. Furthermore, these lessons can be had through any of our tract societies at the extraordinarily cheap rate of two dollars a thousand, which is a very important feature, especially so where the lessons must needs be given away.

After organizing, it should then be determined just how many lessons each member will pledge himself to use. What each member can do depends largely on the amount of time he is willing to give to the work. If one can spend one hour each week in the work, he can handle at least twenty-five lessons a week. We usually visit on an average about thirty-five families an hour in our work. Some can not spend an hour each week in the work, but the majority can spend much more. But suppose a church of one hundred members were each to visit regularly each week an average of ten families, with the lessons—what a work! One thousand families would thus be reached with the message, each church-member spending on an average about fifteen minutes a week in actual work. Is there a church that can not do so little? I know that all can do much more when once aroused to duty. However, let each member weigh carefully what he is willing to begin with and patiently and persistently follow up; for remember that work with this course of printed lessons can not be done spasmodically. When once begun, it takes months to finish the course, there being twenty-eight lessons to be distributed to each reader.

In deciding this question, care will also need to be had lest some, on the inspiration of the moment, agree to do more than they afterward will do. Each should begin with no more than he is willing to finish. This, however, should not be taken as an excuse for doing practically nothing, but let each do his full duty. After one gets started, if he finds he can handle more readers, he can easily increase his class. But let no one forget that it is persistent and patient work that brings the desired results.

When the exact number of sets of lessons each member will use has been ascertained, the sum total can be ordered through the local tract society. In case the order is a large one, demanding a considerable outlay of money, the course of lessons may be ordered in two lots. For instance, in the first order the first fourteen lessons of the course may be secured. Then the second order for the last half of the course may be placed just in time so as to have them on hand when the first half of the course is exhausted. In placing large orders always order in package form, not in sets. A package contains one hundred lessons of a certain number; whereas a set contains the entire course from lesson No. 1 to lesson No. 28. The sets are put up in large envelopes, and cost seven cents each, or at the rate of $2.50 per one thousand lessons; whereas, by securing the lessons in bulk, or package form, the cost is $2 per one-thousand lessons. Those not acquainted with this course of lessons can secure a set of the same, post-paid, by sending ten cents to their tract society. The next article will tell how to take out a class of readers and follow up the work.

Columbus, Ohio.