Gospel Workers' Department by A. G. Daniells

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jul 18, 1912

Gospel Workers' Department

By A. G. Daniells

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

Conducted by A. G. DANIELLS

A New Edition of "The Desire of Ages" for Our Gospel Workers' Reading Course

At the College View ministerial institute last January, 250 gospel workers from the Northern and Central Union Conferences united in the adoption of a reading course for 1912. The books selected to be read this year were the Bible, "Desire of Ages," and "Pastoral and Personal Evangelism." This reading course has also been adopted by all the union conference ministerial institutes that have been held since the College View institute; namely, the Southwestern, Pacific, Western Canadian, and Lake. It was also taken up by many local conferences in the unions in which the institutes were held before it was launched at College View.

The Bible was included in the reading course because it was felt that every worker should read that book through with care and meditation each year. This is to be in addition to the study required to prepare sermons, Bible readings, etc.

"The Desire of Ages" was chosen because of the intellectual and spiritual help all believed it would be to the workers. Those who have read this book feel that it is one of the very best books that has ever been printed, and it was thought that all our workers would be greatly benefited by giving it a careful reading this year.

"Pastoral and Personal Evangelism" is an earnest plea made by a zealous minister to all Christian ministers and gospel workers of all classes to engage in personal effort to win souls to Christ. It emphasizes the importance and the value of personal effort in gospel work. It is intensely earnest, and will help to stimulate those who read it carefully to make greater personal efforts for individuals with whom they come in contact. This book can be secured from Fleming H. Revell, or it can be ordered through any of our tract societies. The regular price is one dollar; but our tract societies can secure a reduction of twenty-five per cent.

When the selection of "The Desire of Ages" was under consideration, many of the workers expressed regret because that book could not be had in a lighter and more compact form than the large and heavy subscription edition. It was known that the trade edition was out of print, and could not be reproduced. A request was made by the workers in all the ministerial institutes adopting the reading course, that the author and publishers should print an edition on thin paper, and bind it in limp leather cover. This request has been responded to most promptly, and the book in the form asked for is now ready for circulation. This new edition of "The Desire of Ages" is but little larger than the new book "The Acts of the Apostles," which is printed on thin paper, and bound in limp leather.

Our workers are certainly indebted to the Pacific Press Publishing Association for its prompt action in producing this excellent edition for their use. It is bound in two styles, cloth and limp leather. The price of the cloth is $1.50, and the leather, $2.

Personally, I feel deeply anxious that all our workers shall adopt this reading course. I am sure it will prove a distinct benefit to every one who carries it out thoroughly; and why should not our school-teachers, our physicians, our leaders in the canvassing work, and the leaders in all our institutions join the ministers and Bible workers in this reading course for intellectual and spiritual improvement? The character of the work we are all called to do demands that we should. One half of the year has gone; but every one can finish the course during the remainder of the year by a little earnest effort.

I wish most earnestly to request all the workers in the various classes named in this article to secure copies of "The Desire of Ages" at once, and conscientiously carry through this course of reading.

In the ministerial institutes held during the past year, we were all impressed with the need of a more thorough education and a greater consecration on the part of all our workers generally. The strength, efficiency, education, and consecration of our leading workers in the various departments of our work must vitally affect the cause with which they are connected. Zealous, intellectual, spiritual workers will develop a strong movement. The whole history of the church shows that its advance or retreat has been due to the character of the ministers and workers associated with it.

In no age has the church had a greater or more important work to do than it has to-day. That work calls for a thorough, efficient corps of workers. It was the deep conviction of our leading men who attended our ministerial institutes that most earnest efforts should be made to encourage education and spirituality among our laborers. A great blessing will come to our cause if this reading course is enthusiastically and conscientiously carried out by all our leaders.

A. G. DANIELLS.