Ev 430
(Evangelism 430)
Come Close to Individuals—In Christlike sympathy the minister should come close to men individually, and seek to awaken their interest in the great things of eternal life. Their hearts may be as hard as the beaten highway, and apparently it may be a useless effort to present the Saviour to them; but while logic may fail to move, and argument be powerless to convince, the love of Christ, revealed in personal ministry, may soften the stony heart, so that the seed of truth can take root.—Gospel Workers, 185 (1915). (Ev 430.1) MC VC
Places to Be Worked, Not Just Preached To—The cities are to be worked, not merely preached to; there must be house-to-house labor. After the warning has been given, after the truth has been presented from the Scriptures, many souls will be convicted.—The Review and Herald, October 14, 1902. (Ev 430.2) MC VC
Less Sermonizing, More Personal Work—If one half of the sermonizing were done, and double the amount of personal labor given to souls in their homes and in the congregations, a result would be seen that would be surprising.—Manuscript 139, 1897. (Ev 430.3) MC VC
Opportunities Lost—When personal work is neglected, many precious opportunities are lost, which, were they improved, would advance the work decidedly.—Gospel Workers, 364 (1915). (Ev 430.4) MC VC
Souls Perishing for Lack of Personal Work—We may speak words of encouragement to those whom we meet. “A word spoken in season, how good is it!” Proverbs 15:23. Souls are perishing for the lack of personal labor.—Letter 151, 1903. (Ev 430.5) MC VC
Instant in and out of Season—The minister must be instant in season and out of season, ready to seize and improve every opportunity to further the work of God. To be “instant in season” is to be alert to the privileges of the house and hour of worship, and to the times when men are conversing on topics of religion. And to be instant “out of season” is to be ready, when at the fireside, in the field, by the wayside, in the market, to turn the minds of men, in a suitable manner, to the great themes of the Bible, with tender, fervent spirit urging upon them the claims of God. Many, many such opportunities are allowed to slip by unimproved, because men are persuaded that it is out of season. But who knows what might be the effect of a wise appeal to the conscience?—Gospel Workers, 186-187(1915). (Ev 430.6) MC VC