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Almost a Lost Art?

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Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jan 11, 1883

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 9, No. 2.

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“Almost a Lost Art?”

By Editor

UNDER the above heading, the Rev. Geo. F. Pentecost, of Brooklyn, N. Y., writes in the Independent, concerning the work of converting sinners. We believe that the case is even worse than it is represented by him, for the figures that he gives indicate simply the accessions to the church, and it would be too much to claim that all who join the church are really converted. While we do not look for any general improvement in the state of things, we are glad that there are some who realize the necessity of improvement. We regard the indifference of the churches as a sign of the last days. Christ said, “Because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.” And this was spoken of a time just preceding the coming of our Lord. But we quote a portion of the article referred to:—
“I do not wish to be understood as affirming that the art of converting men is entirely lost, nor that all ministers are among those who seem in a great measure to have lost this gracious gift and power. I know that any one who persists in calling attention to the unsatisfactory ‘state of religion’ in the churches, is set down at once as a gloomy dyspeptic, who needs a blue pill more than anything else. Nevertheless, an examination of the year-books of the denominations for the last five years show anything but a satisfactory state of things in this regard. When it is seen that the increase in our membership by conversion is less than one and a half per cent. on the present membership, I think the inference is a fair one that conversion may be set down as being, if not altogether, at least almost, among the lost arts. Miracles have long ago been surrendered, as not belonging to this age, and now one trembles to think that perhaps it will be soon advanced as a theory, that, in the advanced period of civilization, we are no more to expect conversions, except in rare individual and exceptional cases; but we are to look for the general improvement and culture of the whole community as the proper equivalent for revival and converting grace.”
He then presents figures taken from the records of some of the leading churches in the Eastern States. The seven leading churches of Boston, with an aggregate membership of 3,441, report only fifty-three conversions for the whole year. In two of these no conversions were reported. In Andover, five churches report eighteen conversions as the result of all their labors; and the seminary church, presided over by the theological professors, reports none. In other places about the same showing is made. In the six largest churches in New York and Brooklyn, whose pastors have a national reputation, and whose aggregate membership is 7,224, only one hundred and sixty-one conversions are reported. Of this Mr. Pentecost says: “This is the worst showing of all; and, if facts and figures prove anything, it proves that in proportion as churches have numbers, wealth, and a brilliant ministry, they seem to lose the art of converting sinners.”
After giving these figures, he proceeds as follows:—
“If any Christian minister can look over these facts and figures without a heartache, I should say that he needs to be prayed for. And yet all the pastors in this sad list have won scholarship; all have won leading pulpits; all have won reputation; all of them have won personal popularity, and deservedly so; almost all of them have won their doctorates. The only thing they seem to have failed conspicuously in, is in winning souls. I speak not in the tone (far less with any spirit) of uncharitable criticism. Why should I? Must we not all take shame to ourselves in this matter? Ought not the whole church to be on its face and low in the dust before God, beseeching him to take away the reproach of weakness from us, restore unto us the joy and power of salvation, that we might teach transgressors his ways, and convert sinners to him?
“I know that there are those who, in the face of such facts as these, still take a rosy and cheerful view of ‘the state of religion,’ and declare in elaborate sermons that we are no worse than our fathers, if, indeed, we are not a great deal better. But, in the face of an open Bible, I think it is to be affirmed that no advance in civilization, no progress in the arts and sciences, no general culture of the age, no increase in the wealth of the church and its liberality and organized benevolences and charities can compensate for the loss of converting power. The word of God tells us that ‘he that winneth souls is wise,’ that ‘they who turn many to righteousness shall shine as the stars forever.’
“Jesus, when he looked over the neglected, unconverted, and unsaved masses of the people, had compassion on them, and bade his disciples to pray ‘for more laborers.’ Not to educate them and advance them in the arts and sciences and general culture of a Christian civilization; but that they might put in the sickle of divine truth and gather them as a harvest into the garner of the Lord; and that means, convert them to God with the word of truth and by the power of the Holy Ghost.
“‘He that winneth souls is wise.’ I believe that soul-winning is the great business of the church. There is no fear, if the power to win souls is restored in plentitude to us, that the culture and growth of men in the knowledge of Christ and eternal things will lag behind; but if we lack the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, all our efforts in the direction of soul-culture will go for naught. I believe thoroughly in soul-culture; but we must be soul-winners before we can be soul-culturers. The harvest must be gathered before it can be threshed and sent to the mill; and does not this very scarcity of harvest show that we have failed in the proper education and training of the church? Can a church of a thousand members be in any kind of spiritual health and year after year report less than fifty souls won to Christ? If the ministry have lost apostolic power, have not the disciples lost power too? for in the days of the Spirit’s power, they also went everywhere preaching the word. Again I say that soul-winning is the chief business of the church, and in our success in this work God is to have his highest glory.”
The writer is certainly correct in his statement that soul-winning is the chief business of the church; indeed, it is the only business of the church. And the reason why conversions are so rare is because the church has made this subordinate to other things. The “friendship of the world” has been courted by the church, and James informs us that this is “enmity with God.” How can a church expect to win souls to Christ when it is at enmity with God? A study of the history of the church will show that it has invariably been the case that “in proportion as churches have numbers, wealth, and a brilliant ministry, they seem to lose the art of converting sinners.” We are not decrying wealth nor education; we believe both are important factors in the spread of the gospel, but they are by no means the chief. Wealth always has a tendency to draw the mind away from God. It creates wants and tastes, the gratification of which deadens spiritual power. It is rare that the spirit of liberality in any person increases in proportion as his wealth increases. But a selfish spirit is incompatible with the Spirit of God, which alone can convert sinners. As riches increase, the heart is set upon them, and since the treasure is laid up on earth, the heart is drawn away from Heaven and heavenly things. The Saviour said, in view of this fact, “How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!”
Observe that Mr. Pentecost does not say conversion becomes a lost art with simply an educated ministry, but with a “brilliant ministry.” Sensationalism is the curse of the modern pulpit. The desire to “draw” a full house has placed the minister too often on a level with the actor, who does the same thing, and for the same reason. It is not alone the ministers who are to blame for this. The people demand it. The time has come of which Paul prophesied, when “they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and shall turn away their ears from the truth, and be turned unto fables.” 2 Tim. 4:3, 4. The ministers, instead of speaking those things that the people need, cater to a depraved taste, and regulate their preaching by the belief and practice of their congregations, speaking only what will please the people. Should any ministers refuse to thus prostitute their talents, they will be unpopular, and, failing to “draw,” will be removed to make room for those who will meet the demand to speak “smooth things” and “to prophesy deceits.” Isa. 30:9, 10. See also Jer. 5:30, 31.
Another great cause of the lack of conversions is the “liberality” which is now so prevalent. This is, indeed, the primary cause. The early church was a power, because all of its members were “of one heart and of one soul,” and the truth was preached in its purity. No concessions were made to suit the people, but the people had to bring themselves to accept the plain truth. Paul said, “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ; for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth.” But the church nowadays is getting ashamed of the gospel of Christ. The foundation of the gospel is the law of God; but this does not suit the wants of this “enlightened age,” and in ignoring its claims, the church virtually denies the gospel. The preaching of the gospel under such conditions must necessarily be like raking with the teeth upward, or at-tempting to work with a saw, the teeth of which have been filed off.
When Ingersoll fulminates his blasphemies, and prates about the “Mistakes of Moses,” what do the ministers do? They meet his assertions with apologies. They yield every point, and seem to try to convey the impression that there is not much difference between him and them after all. They are ashamed of the plainness of the Bible, and repudiate a large portion of it. All that cannot be forced into harmony with the changing moods of modern science, must go by the board. The doctrines of the Bible are rarely preached, except for criticism. The church has practically rejected the purifying doctrine, of the return of Christ, and consequently the truths necessary to a preparation for that event are rejected. “The form of sound words” is no longer held fast, and persons are taken into the church with any belief, or with no belief at all. To be tried for heresy is the surest way for a minister to become popular.
How can conversions be expected with such a state of affairs? To what would people be converted? “Liberal thought” is a very uncertain thing to tie to. It is very vague, and contains nothing which could effect a change of heart. “Sanctify them through thy truth,” was the Saviour’s prayer; and Peter speaks of those who have “purified their souls by obeying the truth.” And by this means alone can it be done. “The word of God is quick and powerful,” and through it the Spirit of God can work, but it has become too old-fashioned for modern use. The oft-repeated assertion that what a person believes is of little importance, is bearing fruit. People accept this saying, and refuse to believe the Bible. We say, without any fear of successful contradiction, that the professed church of Christ is responsible for a large share of the infidelity that prevails.
It is not pleasant to contemplate the existence of these things; and still less so to think that the evil is on the increase. Can there be any question as to the position the people of God should occupy at such a time? The command is, “Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and show my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.” This command may not be disregarded with impunity. The cause of God demands earnest laborers who will give force to the preaching of Bible truth, by consistent, godly lives. Who will respond to the call?
“Oh, who will help us to garner in The sheaves of good from the fields of sin?” THE EDITOR.