Methods for Missionary Work

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jan 22, 1914

Methods for Missionary Work

In order to work to the best advantage, it is necessary to know the most effective methods for presenting the truth by means of the printed page. In many instances families are divided in religious sentiment, the wife being a believer and the husband a nonbeliever. In a case of this kind, if the believer is tactful, a most effective missionary work may be done, resulting in the conversion of the man or woman for whom the labor is performed. Without presenting the literature directly to the individual if it is known to be obnoxious, it may be left on a table, sideboard, or desk, and it is almost certain to be looked over by the one who would not deign to handle it if it were handed to him directly.

Tracts

Persons living in towns or cities where there are street cars may hand tracts direct to some of the occupants, or may quietly place a tract or a pamphlet on a seat or window casing of the car. This will no doubt be picked up by the next person who occupies the seat. If not going far on the car, the person will almost invariably put the tract in his pocket for future reference, carry it to his home, and at a convenient season give it a thorough reading. This is considered a very effective method of tract distribution, and results have followed its use.

Visiting Stores

When going to a store to select some needed article, a tract may be placed on the counter without asking permission of any one. If some customer does not find it, the attendant will come across it when rearranging the stock. Some one will get it, and it will not be necessary to solicit a promise to read it. This solicitation, in many instances, is noneffective, and serves almost always to arouse a suspicion that you have some design on the individual. Leave a tract with your groceryman, coal dealer, or milkman, and with every one with whom you deal, and give one to the tramp who calls for a meal. He also has a soul to save.

By Mail

Every personal letter written should contain a tract, unless there is good reason why it should not. If the person to whom you are writing is disposed to be religious, no offense will be taken when a tract is found inclosed with a letter. Your friends will be interested to know something of your faith, and will no doubt imbibe some of the good things contained in the topic treated in the tract.

Reading Racks

A reading rack may be put up in a railway station, country grocery store, and at other places where persons are compelled to congregate. This should be kept supplied with good literature, tracts and periodicals being best suited for this purpose. It is surprising how quickly the rack will need to be filled again.

Family Bible Teacher

Visiting from house to house with the Family Bible Teacher is a very effective method of work. Few persons will refuse these lessons, and many seem to be hungry for them. If the worker establishes a route and visits the patrons each week, the full number of lessons will give almost all the doctrinal points usually presented in a course of tent meetings.

Periodical Work

Selling periodicals has become a standard business, and a large number of persons find in this work a means of livelihood, while doing very effective missionary work. Life and Health, Liberty, Signs of the Times (weekly and monthly), the Watchman, and the Protestant Magazine are each being used for this purpose. Some workers sell from door to door, others sell on the streets and in business houses. The street work is particularly good on Saturday nights. The racks in the stations and in other prominent places should be kept supplied. Tactful persons may place these publications regularly in libraries and reading rooms. Regular visits may be made to hospitals and other public and benevolent institutions. Taking subscriptions is an important feature of this work, as it places the papers, for a period of time, in the hands of those who have given the subscriptions. It has been demonstrated that a large percentage of persons coming into the truth have been influenced by our periodicals and in many instances have been convicted by these alone.

Missionary Correspondence

Periodicals and tracts may be very effectively used in correspondence with relatives and friends, or with any one to whom we may have the privilege of writing. The Apples of Gold Library fits an ordinary envelope, and the numbers of this library present a wide range of topics. Missionary correspondence may be carried on with persons whose names have been furnished by the State secretary or by canvassers.

Bible Readings and Cottage Meetings

A number of persons may be associated together to conduct Bible readings or cottage meetings in their own homes and in the homes of those who manifest an interest in the literature which has been sent them. Four persons or more should attend the cottage meetings to give needed assistance in singing and prayer, and to help the one having the meeting in charge. The very best results may be expected from these meetings, as many persons have been brought into the truth in consequence of attending these gatherings. In conducting Bible readings the workers have opportunity for great personal development, and one of the best results of the meetings is the preparation of workers for the ministry and for other lines of personal work.

Earning Money for Missions

This is a work in which the entire family may have a part. The children may cultivate missionary gardens; the mothers may keep missionary chickens and bees; city people may sell papers and small books, giving the profits to the mission work; many persons may do plain sewing, or make useful articles of fancy work for sale.

Christian Help Work

Every one should be able to give simple treatments and should be ready to assist the sick and relieve distress where possible. This work may often precede cottage meetings or work with the Family Bible Teacher. While helping poor people opportunity is given to teach them how to help themselves.

Every one having a desire to do something for the advancement of our work should fit into one of these methods. A wide range is given so that an excuse cannot well be accepted. Let us renew our consecration, and put into practice some of the methods here suggested. A great deal depends on those who are leaders, as the rank and file of the churches will usually lay hold of the plans suggested, and follow along just as far as the leader will go with them; and in order to keep our home workers continually inspired and filled with zeal, it will be found necessary for the leaders to show that they themselves are not lacking in this particular. If we do not make an endeavor for our home missionary work on a par with that being made for the book and evangelistic work, we shall come short of realizing the responsibilities that have been laid upon us. May God bless in giving us wisdom to recognize our opportunities, so that in the great day when the Master reckons with his servants, we may hear the "Well done, thou good and faithful servant."—Selected.