Win One Soul by H. A. Weaver

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 5, 1914

"Win One Soul"

By H. A. Weaver

IN the Columbia Union Visitor of February 4, under the title "A Good Motto," Elder E. K. Slade, president of the Ohio Conference, has this to say:—

"At the Columbus convention a very neat and attractive motto was painted . . . and put in a prominent place, which read, 'Win One Soul for God.' This motto attracted much attention throughout the institute, and proved to be quite an inspiration to all. It would be well, if all our churches could have a similar motto, and thus keep the thought constantly before the members. The tendency of these times is to endeavor to reach the masses in a wholesale way and on a large scale. When our hearts are set on winning one soul, the way is open for that individual and personal work which is really the most successful of all. Winning one soul opens the way for still others."

This motto was not painted especially for the convention, but was adopted by the Columbus (Ohio) church the first Sabbath of the new year as a watchword for each member during the coming year. It was later adopted by the colporteurs in convention.

The idea of each member's winning one soul to the Lord during the year was first advanced by Elder I. H. Evans at the last General Conference at Washington, D. C. Some who were present caught the spirit of the suggestion, and it has since very naturally spread abroad. In his week of prayer reading, Elder G. B. Thompson made the idea more pronounced in the following words, which appear in the Review of Nov. 13, 1913:—

"It has been suggested that we set as a goal the doubling of our membership. It seems like a big task to talk of doing this. But it is quite possible if we all take hold of the work. It means simply that we each bring one soul into the truth, and the task is accomplished. Cannot we do this much the coming year? Is one soul a year too many in the days of the close of probation?—Surely not. Brethren, this can be done, and more. Shall we not consecrate ourselves to the work of bringing people to Christ as never before? Shall not each of us determine, God helping us, to bring at least one soul to Christ the coming year? This will bring new life into our own hearts, new life into our churches, new power into our work, and hasten the close of the work of God in the earth. How many will dedicate themselves to this work, and know no rest till they have brought some souls to Christ?"

The Home Missionary Department of the North American Division Conference has these words to say to encourage all in this direction:—

"We have decided to take for the Home Missionary Department aim, 'Every Sabbath keeper to bring at least one soul to Christ in 1914.' It seems as if some definite aim like this would help our people to work more earnestly for their neighbors than they are doing. Surely every Sabbath keeper could, by working faithfully all through the year for all he could reach, and praying in faith, bring at least one soul to the truth in a year, and this would double our membership. Those who had experienced the joy of soul winning would not stop when they had gained one soul, but would go on to seek for others."

The artistic motto which hangs back of the pulpit of the Columbus church was painted by a Seventh-day Adventist artist whose heart beats with desire to use his rare talent in the advancement of the message. I suggest that any church, church missionary society, or Young People's Missionary Volunteer Society anywhere in the United States or Canada, that would like to secure a motto copied from the motto which is referred to above, send its order to the artist through the address of the writer of this article (1424 West Broad St., Columbus, Ohio), accompanied by $1.75, and the motto will be painted and sent forthwith, carriage prepaid. The motto is six feet long by three feet wide, painted on pure white painter's muslin. The letters are beautifully shaded, and the motto in every way bears the marks of a skilled workman. The ordinary cost of such a motto is $3.50. The artist, however, in a missionary spirit, offers it at half its cost.

Kept constantly before our eyes as we worship from Sabbath to Sabbath, such a motto, painted by consecrated hands, will be sure to impress its message upon hearts. H. A. Weaver.