cludes the proclamation of facts, the unfolding of their significance, and the glad confession of personal experience. It precedes, and merges into, that of the pastor and teacher; but the primary ministry is that of a man who tells the "Good News." Every pastor is called to do the "work of an evangelist." This work, indeed, pertains to every disciple of Christ. There is perhaps no heresy more pernicious and fatal in its influence than the practical heresy which regulates the work of witness-bearing to a select few; and there is no more promising sign of our times than the new emphasis which is being placed upon personal evangelism. Yet to-day, as in apostolic times, there are those whom God calls out for a distinctive work of evangelism, and whom he endows with special gifts for the proclamation of the facts and doctrines of the gospel, in such a way as to lead men to immediate decision, and to stimulate Christians to renewed activity in the seeking and winning of their fellow men for Christ. A MINISTRY ALWAYS RECOGNIZED This ministry of evangelism has always been recognized in our Baptist churches. Our churches have been founded and built up by it. In the new and special work which has been entrusted to the American Baptist Home Mission Society by our denomination, there is a distinct and clear recognition of the place and function, the need and power of evangelism. The plans of work, as thus far matured, include the appointment of a General Evangelist, whose work shall be to stimulate the evangelistic spirit, as well as to hold special evangelistic services in great centres. They contemplate the appointment in due time, and as the means furnished will admit, of other men of "light and leading" for similar service. For the further extension and unification of this work, and for the utilizing of existing agencies, it is purposed to enter into co-operation with State Convention Boards in the support and direction of State Evangelists. With the beginning of the new Convention year, such arrangements will be consummated on a broad scale. The plan is already in operation in five States. Negotiations are now in process with four other States, while added requests for similar service will doubtless be received. The services of a German Evangelist and of a French Evangelist have also been provided for. THE GENERAL METHOD The method pursued by the General Evangelist will be, first, that of holding in large centres conferences for the quickening of the evangelistic spirit. Effort will be made to secure at these conferences the attendance of Baptist pastors and workers from as large an area as practicable around the local centre, that together they may earnestly and prayerfully consider the great fundamental teachings of God's Word concerning the ministry of evangelism. It is confidently believed that as the outcome of such meetings, many pastors will go back to their fields with a new vision, a new confidence in God, a new grip upon themselves, and a new determination to gird themselves for fresh endeavor. TO SEND TEN MEN BACK TO THEIR FIELDS WITH SUCH A NEW INSPIRATION, IS BETTER THAN TO SEND TEN EVANGELISTS INTO SUCH FIELDS TO DO THEIR WORK FOR THEM. The conferences will be followed, where conditions favor, by special evangelistic services. The extent and duration of these to be determined by the manifestation of life and interest. The plan of work differs materially in this respect from some plans now in vogue. Instead of attempting at the outset a huge frame-work of organization imposed upon a community from without, and saying "go to, now, let us make the framework instinct with life and energy," it will begin by seeking the quickening of life at a local centre, and then following the movement of life. This, of course, will not preclude the reaching out into districts in which at present the influence of our churches is but slightly felt, and in which there is a reign of spiritual destitution and death; but it will work from the centre of life outward. It does not in any way disparage organization, but it will leave the largest room and freest play for the movements of life. The immediate impression may not be so striking as that made by more spectacular methods. But it is believed that the permanent impression will be deepened, and the real fruitage larger. It is a method that will make large demands upon faith and patience. It contemplates not the work of a day, not a whirlwind campaign, but a settled and persistent line of effort. In entering upon it, we crave the prayerful, earnest cooperation of pastors and people, and a readiness on their part to work, to hold on, and, if need be, to wait. THE FUNCTION OF THE EVANGELIST AVING accepted an appointment under the Evangelistic Committee of our Home Mission Society, it is but natural that my brethren should wish to know somewhat of my motives and hopes in entering upon this work. In stating my view of the evangelistic work to be undertaken by our denomination, my judgment is necessarily colored by personal considerations and my expressions will be from the personal angle of incidence. In seeking to arrive at a conviction as to my own duty in the premises, several vital questions force themselves upon my consideration; and the answer to these will somewhat define my own ideas. What justification is there for leaving the pastorate and entering upon this work? What is your conception of the nature of the work? What do you hope to accomplish in this work? By what means do you expect to make progress toward the desired end? In attempting some brief answer to these questions I feel like one looking into a misty scene. Things distant are not in view, and things near at hand are not entirely clear. In any new work time is the best critic. Most of the details will have to be molded by experience, as time brings us face to face with the problems and opportunities. But speaking generally, some brief answer may be ventured to the above inquiries. 1. Why leave the pastorate to enter upon this phase of ministry? In common with many of my brother ministers, I am convinced that there is both opportunity and necessity for such a service. There is a wide divergence of opinion concerning the function of the Evangelist; but apostolic institution assigns him a place, and church history has recognized the same. His work may be modified with every generation, but every generation may profitably use his office. Every true minister, realizing his own limitations, and often overburdened, perplexed and discouraged, longs for the fellowship and cooperation of some sympathetic brother minister. Every sincere lover of souls, ambitious for a true success greater than his own time and gift will admit, will welcome the coming of a like-minded fellow-servant, to supplement his own labors and glorify our common Lord. Speaking from an experience of twenty years in the pastorate, I am free to say that experience even more than exegesis affirms that there is a place for the evangelist who is a "teacher abroad, aggressive, awakening," comforting and inspiring. 2. What is our present conception of the nature of this work? Whereunto this work may grow we will not try to guess. But on the threshold, "I give my judgment as one that hath obtained mercy of the Lord." The evangelist's ministry may in no sense set aside or override the ministry of the pastor and teacher. He may never lord it over another's faith, but be a helper of his joy in service. He is not primarily a general commanding the forces which others have trained, leading them to spasmodic and doubtful prominence. A glorious campaign may prove the corollary of a true revival spirit; but this is not the first aim of the Evangelist. Regarding first things first, he joins his fellowlaborers with a sincere sympathy. He co-op erates in their work, bringing such powers and gifts as he possesses. His chief aim is the success of their work, and not the prominence of his own temporary work. The evangelistic gift is not the inheritance of a small, unique class of men. It abides in every true minister of Christ. But the multiplicity of duties and perplexities often retire this gift into disuse. Then the coming of a sincere helpmeet will avail to stir up this gift and burnish it for activity. Pastoral evangelism is the divinely appointed means for recruiting disciples for the kingdom of God. The special evangelism can but stimulate and supplement it. For he who by godly living and disinterested daily service has won the confidence of a community can effect what no temporary ministry of a stranger can accomplish. The evangelist co-operates. And as Paul was strengthened by the coming of Silas and Timothy to Corinth, so is the ministry heartened by the help of a true evangelist. 3. What do you hope to accomplish? Here one must speak with great modesty and selfdistrustfulness. The consciousness of failure in the past, weakness at present, and the sense that the ideal is not easily if ever reached, must give one pause. And yet the realization of the frailty of the earthen vessel must not eclipse from our view the glory of the heavenly treasure, nor hinder our trust in the exceeding greatness of His power, whose strength is made perfect in weakness. with Paul we cry, "Who is sufficient for these things," our answer is ready made, "Our sufficiency is of God who maketh us able ministers of the New Covenant." Wherefore trampling all self-confidence under foot, we trust in the living God and seek to follow Him" who always leadeth us in triumph." Remembering the words of the Lord Jesus, "Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground If and die it abideth alone," we do not beguile ourselves with the hope of a cheap success. Our ambition has no place for spectacular glory, a lust for statistics, or the praise of men. We covet to get the shoulder beneath the common burden; to give our soul to real travail; our earnestness to fervent prayer, and our message to effect righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. And if after such a ministry we can leave a place with the ministers strengthened and encouraged, the churches rejoicing, pastors and people filled with a new passion of enthusiasm for the winning of souls, and seeing "No man save Jesus Only," we shall be glad to hide behind His cross and glory, and give all praise to Him "from whom cometh every good and perfect gift." 4. As to the means by which we expect to make some progress toward the desired end. These may be stated in a word: (a) By cherishing the widest vision of the Kingdom. For the coming of that Kingdom the church exists and works, and every ambition for parochial success is only justified when it converges in the all-inclusive prayer, "Thy Kingdom come." (b) By dependence upon the presence, plentitude and power of the Spirit of God. (c) By the sympathetic co-operation of my brother ministers. In closing my twenty years of service as a pastor, I delight to acknowledge that my joy and success in the work have been largely due to the love, sympathy and confidence wherewith my fellow pastors have uniformly honored me. And realizing what it means to be helped, encouraged, counseled and inspired by a fellowship of sympathy, I offer my brethren such service as is in my power to render; and at the same time I crave the continuation of that helpful co-operation, without which our new work cannot issue in success. Dr. Woelfkin's Appointments In accordance with the plans adopted by the Committee on Evangelism, the month of October will be used by Dr. Woelfkin in visits to State Conventions. The following is the list of appointments: Appleton, Wis., October 4; Sioux Falls, S. D., October 6; Omaha, Neb., October 9; Parsons, Kan., October 10; New Albany, Ind., October 13; Cincinnati, O., October 16; Jackson, Mich., October 17; Joliet, Ill., October 18; Batavia, N. Y., October 24; North Adams, Mass., October 26. In the intervals between State meetings addresses will be made at some of our Baptist educational institutions. I THE ESSENTIALS OF TRUE EVANGELISM By Rev. J. A. Francis AM exceedingly glad, at the request of the Editor of THE MONTHLY, to jot down my deepest impressions after a few months of evangelistic campaigning in the State of New York. Three things have been borne in upon me with great clearness. 1. THE VERY LARGE OPEN DOOR A multitude of pastors and churches eagerly welcome evangelistic help. Neither is this desire confined to the churches of any particular class. Those in centres of population vie with those in rural districts in the heartiness of their invitations; and churches served by pastors of broad culture and well-known pulpit power welcome such aid quite as readily as those served by men of lesser gifts. The Baptist churches alone of New York State could keep ten able men busy during the entire season when evangelistic services are usually held. There is not the slightest foundation for thinking that the right kind of evangelism is coming into disfavor. The very wideness of the open door makes one's heart leap. 2. THE KIND OF WORK CALLED FOR Here I would write very carefully, but none the less plainly. Many a thoughtful pastor says, "Yes, I wish we might have a series of special meetings this season; that is, if "— and into that "if" there is often compressed the story of some dearly bought experience. We might just as well frankly acknowledge that while the church has had and has now evangelists "of whom the world was not worthy," the very fact that in days past evangelists as a class were not responsible to anything or anybody left the way open for all sorts of abuses. It is no uncommon thing to find churches where the religious life of the community has been positively set back, and that for years, by a single series of meetings. No brief article can give a complete description of the kind of work and workmen the time calls for. But a few things among the essentials may at least be mentioned. means that the local church should be gathered to the work of intersession until the sense of dependence becomes a practical reality; till all feel that unless God moves our whole effort will be a flat and foolish failure. This is probably the most difficult attainment of all. The tendency to rush past God and trust in methods and men is well nigh universal. (b) Evangelism should be of the teaching sort. Message is greater than method. Every sermon should contain a body of truth, saving truth, well thought out and clearly stated. There is small place for the mere exhorter; there is large place for the clear thinker who "holds fast the form of sound words." (c) The supreme aim should be, not to make up for the indifference of the church by doing its work for it, but to lead the church itself to become permanently evangelistic. A series of meetings, instead of being a twoweeks' spasm of activity forced and unnatural, to be followed by a period of still great apathy, should set the pace for all the days to come; herein is the immeasurable value of the evangelistic conference. The worker who can show other disciples that soul-winning is a part of their birthright can multiply himself a thousand times. Infinitely more important than the addition of a number of people to the church is the awakening of the church to the mighty fact that evangelism constitutes an essential part of its relation to Christ and his kingdom. Probably more good has been accomplished in the few evangelistic conferences we have held this winter than in all the other meetings put together. One of the truest as well as one of the severest tests of any series of meetings is the question, What was the after effect on the life of God's people? (d) All straining for larger, immediate, visible (statistical) results than the evident working of the Divine Spirit warrants is to be shunned with holy abhorrence. The desire for a reputation built on such statistics comes perilously near making the evangelist "an enemy of all righteousness." God's servants should be above tricks. The best work we do will elude the statistician as completely as would the effect of a rainfall on a landscape after a summer drought. (e) The most careful attention should be given to personal work. Much of the best fruit can come in no other way. Difficulties can be solved, prejudices removed, timid souls encouraged, shallow professors warned, and the ignorant instructed in the way of God more perfectly. (f) It hardly ought to need saying, but it does, nevertheless, that the finances should be cared for by some dignified and worthy method which will leave no room for the suspicion of money-loving on the part of the worker, or of selfishness on the part of the churches. Nothing will more fatally distract from the real business in hand than the slightest suspicion that the work is mainly for a consideration. 3. THE CERTAINTY OF BLESSED RESULTS I have been astonished more than once to see how, under what we would call the most untoward conditions, the presentation of Christ night after night made the people forget what was unworthy, and draw up to Him. Not the presentation of Christ simply as a way of escape from the penalty of sin, but as the sun and centre of the whole kingdom of God in both worlds. This charms, attracts, and saves. The spiritual life of the church is strengthened and deepened. The church rises in the estimation of the community, from the very fact that she is about her proper errand. The meaning of the gospel becomes more widely diffused even among the unconverted, and many are led to trust Jesus as Saviour, and acknowledge him as Lord. Truly, his Word does not return unto him void. EVANGELIZING THE ITALIANS-CONFERENCE AT THE NEW ITALIAN CHAPEL IN PROVIDENCE, R. I. |