Gospel Workers' Department by A. G. Daniells

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park, Washington, D. C. · Jun 27, 1912

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 89, No. 26.

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Gospel Workers' Department

By A. G. Daniells

Their divine calling, qualification, and preparation. Methods of labor, plans, etc.

Conducted by A. G. DANIELLS

Council of City Evangelists

Cooperation of a Company of City Workers

THIS subject was brought before the council by the chairman, who said:—

"Experience in carrying on evangelistic work in large cities has led our ministers to greatly appreciate the assistance of Bible workers, visiting nurses, colporteurs, and magazine sellers. How to organize a company of city workers so as to secure the fullest cooperation and the most efficient service of every one, is a question of great importance. Without organization, workable plans, daily counsel, and sympathetic cooperation, much will be lost during a summer's effort. It is understood that the minister is the leader of this company of workers, and that they are to assist him in his public effort. In order for the workers to do this to the fullest extent possible, the minister must keep in close touch with them. He must always be as ready and as prompt to assist the workers as they should be to help him. This will make it necessary for him to meet them daily, to learn from them all about their work, to give them needed counsel, and to arrange to go with them to the people with whom they are working whenever it may seem best."

"There are many ministers present who have experience in working with companies of workers in our cities. We should be glad to have them tell us their plans."

B. E. Miller: "Last summer I had two Bible workers associated with me in the work. During the summer effort we met together for at least three quarters of an hour before the evening service, and related our experiences with the people. The workers were made fully acquainted with what I was doing, and I was made fully acquainted with their work. I endeavored to encourage them to be free to request me to go with them to visit homes whenever they felt that I ought to do so. The plan worked very nicely, and they kept me busy visiting. The visiting was one of the strongest features in our summer's work, and I believe it brought in cooperation between Bible workers and ministers."

A. V. Cotton: "I think this phase of the work is important. In my efforts in Brooklyn in the last two years, I have had associated with me three Bible workers during the summer season. Previous to this time it was a problem to know what plan we should pursue to gain access to the homes of the people. New York is a difficult place in which to labor, and becomes more so every year. The people would not invite us to their homes. They would come to the meetings, hear the lectures, and accept reading-matter. We would express our willingness to call on them if they would like to talk on any subject, but we could not get invitations to do so. We finally decided on a plan. Just before beginning an effort, we secured one hundred copies of Life and Health. At the close of our first meeting, I called the attention of the audience to this journal, telling them what an excellent magazine it was on the subject of health. I ran through the number briefly, mentioning some of the most interesting articles. I told them we would be pleased to supply each one present with a copy, and that if they would give us their names and addresses, we would supply them with other literature during the series of meetings.

"This plan succeeded. The first night we secured thirty-five or forty names. The Bible workers began at once to visit these persons. I had an old list from the previous year from which I selected names of certain individuals for the Bible workers to look up. The workers called on these persons at the door, giving them a tract or paper, and extending an invitation to continue attending the meetings. A record was kept of the visits thus made. The workers were not experienced ones, but we found that they could work to good advantage in visiting the people and urging them to attend the meetings. They would go out in the afternoons, and three quarters of an hour before the evening service we would meet for a season of prayer and to hear the reports. The result was that as we came near the close of the series of meetings, we were in touch with all who were interested, and knew just how to lead them along to accept the truth."

K. C. Russell: "The Bible worker is a very important factor in connection with a tent effort. I think we should instruct our Bible workers to keep in close touch with the interested ones who happen to be absent a night or two. It is often the case that a person attends the meetings regularly for a while and becomes interested, but because of sickness in the home may have to be absent, and thus lose the connection. Such should be carefully kept in close touch with the line of study. I have had some success in having Bible readings in the afternoon two or three days in the week at the tent. In almost every community there are men who work at night and can not attend the evening service, but they do not sleep all day. There are others who are sick, or aged, or infirm, and can not come out at night. Then some interested ones who come in the evening would also come in the afternoon. These can be reached by holding Bible readings. Bible workers and, in fact, all who are associated with the tent-meetings should do their best to make the tent effort the prominent thing. They should encourage people to come to the meetings, rather than seek to establish an interest in their homes, which might prevent their coming to the public service."

H. C. Hartwell: "I am impressed that we are learning more about how to utilize the visiting nurse in connection with our tent work, but that we have not yet learned all there is to be known about it. Personally, I am converted to the idea that the nurse's work is a feature that ought to be developed. It will bring a strength to our work that we have not yet known. We have had a little experience in Massachusetts in utilizing this branch of our work. Last summer we had one nurse in connection with one of our tent efforts. Her previous experience enabled her to take hold of the work quite well. She assisted in getting

out announcements and in doing the general work, but her special work as a nurse was emphasized. She had one night each week in the tent. The minister opened the meeting with prayer, and then she took the whole time. At first, she thought she could not talk more than ten minutes, but her courage increased until she found she could occupy the whole hour. She presented various phases of the health and medical missionary work, and gave demonstrations in different kinds of treatments. Aside from this, she would visit the sick and give treatments. This made a great many friends, and opened the way for evangelistic work. I am confident that the services of our nurses in connection with our tent efforts would be an important factor in securing larger results. I believe that our sanitariums should be developing workers who are qualified to do independent work, just as we train Bible workers. The nurses we are using in Massachusetts have had an experience under Elder George B. Starr in and around Melrose and Boston, and are qualified to give Bible readings or treatments, and to hold lectures when necessary."

G. B. Starr: "I wish to emphasize the importance of organizing the company of city workers for efficient service. My experience teaches me that the leader and all the members of the company must work in unison and understand one another very clearly in order to accomplish the greatest amount of good.

"There must be a daily program, and it must be followed conscientiously by all the members. It must be practical and helpful to the workers, and must provide time for reading, study, prayer, counsel, and work. Each worker must report fully, and seek such help from the minister and associate workers as may be needed to develop the interest that has been created.

"I wish to place special emphasis on the importance of the minister in charge of the company being prompt to render the Bible worker and visiting nurse the help they request. His visits will count much. He can not do all his visiting by proxy. He must enter the homes of the people."

The Chairman: "We have had many excellent suggestions, covering nearly all phases of the topic. If these are followed closely, much will be gained."

A committee appointed to present a suggestive outline for organization and cooperation, reported as follows:—

"1. That a practical, daily program be agreed upon by the workers, and then followed as strictly as possible. "2. That every worker, including the minister, make an earnest effort to assist every other worker as far as possible. "3. That each one report faithfully the interest developed in his particular line of work. "4. That the general daily program be about as follows:—

A. M.
6:00	Rising
7:30-8:30	Breakfast
8:30-9:30	Workers' devotional meeting
9:30-12:00	General work, study, local visiting, etc.
12:00-1:00	Dinner
P. M.
2:00-5:00	Visiting
5:00-6:30	Rest and lunch
6:30-7:15	Meeting for reports and prayer
7:15-7:45	Visiting with people as they come to the tent
7:45-8:00	Song service
8:00-9:00	Sermon
10:00	Retiring

This report was adopted as expressing the judgment of the council. A. G. DANIELLS, Chairman; THADDAEUS LEGG, Secretary.