IT is a matter of great thankfulness to the Lord that there are so many in the present day who testify the gospel of the grace of God, and that there is so much blessing accompanying the word preached in various places. It is remarkable, too, that many are recognized simply as “evangelists.” Some of them tell us at once that they are not “teachers” or “pastors,” but that their place is simply to declare the “glad tidings” to the unsaved. This distinction of gifts is, thank God, beginning to be recognized, and certainly it is most scriptural so far as it goes. It is hoped that God will yet spread the light of His own truth as to the variety of gifts the ascended Head has given for the building up of “the body.” Some years ago, except among a few Christians, you only heard of “ministers” or “preachers,” now you frequently hear of one of the Lord’s servants being “an evangelist,” another being a “teacher,” a third being a “pastor;” and each one addicting himself to his peculiar line, not as appointed by men, but as called and led of the Lord, though sometimes two or more gifts may be recognized in the same person. Why are these distinctions being now regarded? Is it not because the Scriptures are being by some more read, and God’s order, as recorded in Eph. 4; 1 Cor. 12, and Rom. 12, more clearly seen?
But we would say a few words to young evangelists, those who in all ardor are just beginning to enter upon this most blessed service. Christ crucified, glorified, and coming, is very precious to you. Your hearts are fired with the love of God. “God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son,” &c., is your constant theme. The value of immortal souls hangs heavily upon your spirits. You are filled with all joy and peace in believing, and you long for others to realize the same security, and enjoy the same comfort.
You see that the coming of the Lord draweth nigh, and your whole soul desires that sinners may be plucked as brands from the burning, that they may be delivered from Satan’s iron grasp, and that they may be safely sheltered by the blood of Jesus from the coming wrath. You see, too, how willing and able Christ is to save, how simple the way of eternal salvation, and that Jesus casts out none that come to Him. All this is very sweet. May you be more and more in real earnest; and seek above all that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be abundantly glorified.
During the last thirty years it has been the writer’s joy to see many souls brought to Christ, and to have watched the career of many of them since. He would therefore, in all love, suggest a few words of hearty counsel and exhortation to young evangelists. The scripture he especially calls attention to is, “But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.” (Acts 6:44But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. (Acts 6:4).)
We will suppose that you have been exercised before God about taking up this service, and that, after waiting on Him, having no will of your own in the matter, or any wish for the praise of men, you conclude that you must go forth with the gospel in obedience to the Lord Jesus.
1. We may say, then, who is sufficient for such a work? for the flesh profiteth nothing, and God’s determination is, that “no flesh shall glory in His presence.” The answer is plain, “Our sufficiency is of God.” Be then men of prayer; and that not now and then merely, but cultivate the habit of constant dependence upon God. Go not into the warfare at your own charges; if you do, your poor resources will soon come to an end: but give yourselves to prayer. Draw on the ascended Jesus for all you want. He giveth liberally, and giveth more grace. In this way you will escape many snares, be kept from many mistakes and disappointments, and will prove the blessedness of trusting in the Lord, and of laboring in His strength. This is the secret of an evangelist’s success. If the apostles needed this, how much more do we in a day of such weakness and error. If you are not giving yourselves to prayer, you will be cultivating carnal habits, gratifying “the desires of the flesh and of the mind,” aiming to preach eloquently and to a crowd, instead of seeking only to please the Lord Jesus, and to be instrumental in saving solus. A man of prayer will so feel in God’s presence, and that he has to do with God, that his rule, we may almost say instinctively, will be, whether he eats or drinks, or whatever he does, to do all for the glory of God.
Give yourselves to prayer continually, and then your success will be certain. Humbling’s we all need now and then; but “thy Father who seeth in secret, Himself shall reward thee openly.” Your labor will not be in the vanity of human energy and eloquence, but in the strength of the Lord, in communion with Him, and your labor will not be in vain, for it will be “in the Lord.” Your eyes will be open to see and avoid the snares of the fowler, and both privately and publicly you will prove in your experience the truth of the divine statute, “Them that honor me, I will honor.”
Remember also that the divine order is, first, “prayer;” secondly, “ministry of the word.” If this order be reversed, marvel not at failure. They must lie down in sorrow, who walk in sparks of their own kindling. Be men of God whose prayers precede, as well as accompany and follow your ministry. If you are expecting to preach the gospel in the evening, seek frequently during the day to give yourselves to prayer about it; so that hearers, as well as speakers, may be prepared for the solemn work. In this way you may expect to sow good seed in good ground, that may bring forth much fruit. If you are engaged in business, take part of your dinner-hour for it, or any other moments that are at your command. The Lord knows how you are situated. Pray earnestly, believingly, perseveringly. Pray to be filled with the Spirit. Pray that God may work in saving souls as most He can for the glory of Christ. Beware of cold, dry formality in prayer. Let it be really entering into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, pleading the name of Jesus, and expecting blessed answers. Expect great things from God, and distrust self, abhor self, keep under self.
2. The preaching of the gospel is the ministry of the word of God. Paul exhorted Timothy to “preach the word.” Remember you are to preach not your words, or Mr. So-and-so’s words, but God’s word; not to preach yourselves, but to preach Christ Jesus the Lord. This will be both easy and happy if you have given yourselves to prayer. You need not make a great noise and excitement, for it is God’s word which is the instrument of begetting souls; the incorruptible seed is the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever. It is the gospel of Christ which is the power of God unto salvation. Beware of trafficking in unfelt truth. Speak out what you have tasted and enjoyed of God’s truth in your own souls. Tell out what you can of the worth and work of the Lord Jesus. It is a message from God to man that you have to deliver―a message of love, and love always tells its own tale. You have to preach Jesus Christ and Him crucified, and that He will soon come again. Sow the seed, be earnest, be faithful, be instant in season and out of season. Whether men will hear, or whether they will forbear, the preaching of Christ is a sweet savor unto God both in them that are saved and in them that perish. You will have much conflict with Satan if you are bold for Christ, and many will shun you and grieve you whose help and sympathy you may have counted on; but your loving and adorable Master will never leave you; therefore, in the gloomiest season, encourage yourselves in Him, and you will find that He is always better than your fears, and a never-failing Friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
HAPPY DEATH OF A CHUSAN WOMAN―A native Christian woman recently died in this island. She had been a firm and consistent Christian. Her last words to her son were, “I desire to go and be with Jesus; my heart is at rest. To go and be with my Saviour is much better.”