Three questions have been asked: (1) What ought to be done where companies at the usual Sunday evening gospel services are small and consisting mainly of professed Christians; (2) ought the preacher to announce the glad tidings with all simplicity as if it were the latest news, and those present strangers to it? or (3) should he seek to present, according to his ability in handling the Word, the great foundation truths of Christianity, more particularly to help Christians in their feeble apprehension of the truth?
I do not think the solution of D.W.H.’s difficulties lies in either of his suggestive questions.
(1) To “announce the glad tidings with all simplicity as if it were the latest news, and those present strangers to it,” is to practise a species of deception to which the omniscient Holy Ghost will not be a partner, for I am assured He will not grant unction and power to words where there is no material suitable to come under their power.
(2) For the preacher to “seek to present, according to his ability in handling the Word, the great foundation truths of Christianity, more particularly to help saints in their feeble apprehension of the truth,” is tantamount to definitely giving up gospel service, to confine his efforts to the Lord’s people, and accept the situation that the unsaved cannot be reached.
What, then, is the solution of D.W.H.’s difficulties?
A general humbling of the Lord’s people that things are as they are. Patient, earnest, importunate, believing prayer. Strenuous service in persuading the unconverted to come under the sound of the Word. The providing of live preachers who have a love for souls, a deep, fervent belief in the great truths of the gospel—men who are in touch with God, men of prayer and power and purpose.
A good deal of D.W.H.’s difficulty comes about through the agreement on the part of the Lord’s people that a Sunday evening gospel service shall be held whether preachers suitable or not are forthcoming. The consequence is a “stop-gap” is often requisitioned whom the Lord’s people barely endure, and would never dream of asking the unconverted to come and hear.
There is, Mr. Editor, a district, well known to us both, where enough preaching ability does not exist to maintain Sunday evening gospel services, so they make no pretence at keeping such up. But as soon as a suitable preacher comes along arrangements are gladly made for preaching, either in the usual place of meeting or at a public hall, or in a granary or barn or kitchen, or at a place where cross-roads meet. The meetings are actively made known, and the gospel preacher is never called upon to face D.W.H.’s difficulties. He has the luxury of preaching the gospel to those who need it, and feeling that the Holy Ghost is giving power and liberty in the proclamation of the Word, souls are saved and take their place in testimony with the Lord’s people.
Is not the whole thing divinely summed up:
(1) How shall they hear without a preacher?
(2) How shall they preach except they be sent?
Not every one who preaches can be called a preacher, nor claim that he is sent. Where these qualifications exist difficulties vanish.
In conclusion I warmly commend the readers of “Scripture Truth” to study carefully and pray earnestly over the article appearing in your June issue, entitled, “The Indifferent World and the Lukewarm Church.” It seems D.W.H.’s questions are raised on page 185 and answered on pages 180 and 182. W.B.W.’s solemn remarks on “eternal punishment” should be laid to heart.