CIRCLE REVIEWS by L. Flora Plummer

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 20, 1900

CIRCLE REVIEWS.

By L. Flora Plummer

MRS. L. FLORA PLUMMER.

In a former article reference was made to two mistakes commonly made in conducting a review exercise; namely, that of making it a study rather than a review, and the habit of leaders in sometimes doing all the work themselves, and allowing the members to do little or none.

In considering this subject further, it will be helpful to notice the following points of special instruction given by the Spirit of Prophecy:—

This work of enlightening others is not the work of the minister only, but it is the work of all who profess the truth of God. God has given to every man his work in making Christ known to the world. We must teach the members of the church how they may effectually minister to others. . . . Were the kind of labor of which it stands in need bestowed upon the church, many who are doing nothing would be educated to become diligent laborers in the harvest field.

From this it is evident that the kind of labor of which the church most stands in need is that which will prepare each member to engage in the work of God. And it is this very need that the leaders of Circle meetings should constantly keep in mind. In this next extract from the same authority, the idea is carried out still further:—

Why do not the overseers of the church have councils to devise ways whereby young men and women may be trained to put to use their intrusted talents? . . . Many have embraced the truth, and yet they have not been educated as to how they may serve the cause of God, and thereby grow in spiritual muscle and sinew. . . . Why should they not be interested in the great work that is to be done? But do not imagine that this interest can be aroused by going to the missionary meeting, and presenting a long sermon; plan ways whereby a live interest may be kindled, and train up the young to do what is appointed them.

The Circle meetings in each place ought to be made a training-school for the fitting up of workers. Let the overseers of each church do just as the foregoing quotation says,—counsel together, and devise ways of conducting the work so that the members may be trained to use their talents. Too much can not be said in favor of sending our young people to our colleges and other institutions, that they may obtain an education and a training that will make them valuable workers in the cause of God. But when all that is possible in that direction has been said and done, there will yet remain a large number of both young and old among us who never can avail themselves of such privileges. What does the Lord say should be done?—"In every church the members should be trained so that they will devote time to the work, and win souls to Christ. . . . Will those who have charge of the flock of God awaken to their duty?"

By these extracts it ought to be plain to all that the work now to be done in the churches is the training of each member to work for the Lord, and it is the manifest duty of the “overseers” in each place to counsel together as to how this may be done. The work at home and abroad is languishing because this has not been done. The arousing of our churches to do the work in the home field means the releasing of an army of laborers and much money to the foreign work. In every possible way let the Circle studies and the Circle meetings be used as an aid in the training of our brethren and sisters in the local churches as missionary workers, that the coming of our Saviour be not delayed.

Ye churches of the living God, . . . consider how your lack of faith, of spirituality, of divine power, is hindering the coming of the kingdom of God. Were every one of you living missionaries, the gospel would be speedily proclaimed in all countries, to all peoples, nations, and tongues. This is the work that must be done before Christ shall come in power and great glory. I call upon the church to pray earnestly, that you may understand your responsibilities. Are you individually laborers together with God? If not, why not? When do you mean to do your God-appointed work?