I should be greatly grieved if brethren ceased to be an evangelizing set of Christians. Indeed, they would fade in their own spiritual standing and get probably sectarian—not in theory, but in practice—because the enlarging principle of love would not be there.
I confess I feel a sort of envy of those whom God has called to evangelize. My want of courage keeps me humble. At the beginning brethren were engaged, and pretty much alone, in the roughest evangelizing—fairs, markets, races, regattas and everywhere in the open air. Gatherings grew up, and the care of them became needful, though evangelizing went on and was blessed in many places. At all times in a general way we have to do it, as Paul says to Timothy, “Do the work of an evangelist” (2 Tim. 4:55But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. (2 Timothy 4:5)).
As to [the evangelist], while evangelizing ever, let him look after these small gatherings and visit them elsewhere. But evangelizing in Christendom is different from doing it in heathenism. A full salvation gives a basis for [Christian] growth, but in Christendom it is necessarily separative. Hence the need of wisdom in such work. But I should indeed be sorry if [evangelization] was given up.
I see joy and gladness in conversions, even in heaven (Luke 15:7,107I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance. (Luke 15:7)
10Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth. (Luke 15:10)). But making a fuss about them and writing [about] the people [those saved] I dread. The feebleness of such work is felt afterwards. It requires both distinct gift and being very near Christ in consecration of heart to carry on [evangelizing] and [shepherding].
J. N. Darby (adapted from a letter, 1875)