LOVING THE STRANGER

"Love ye, therefore, the stranger, for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt" (Deut. 10:19).

Having considered the Meaning and Motive of the above injunction, let us now think a little about

THE MANNER

in which such love is to be expressed.

The representative of a king is expected to conduct himself in a way becoming to his office; otherwise, it would reflect seriously upon the royal name which he bears. And with us it 'is well to be often reminded that we are here as representing the One who is the King of kings and Lord pf lords. All testimony, therefore, should be in keeping with the holy dignity of His Person. There is a trend today toward cheapening the proclamation of God's Glad Tidings by descending to certain world standards of cheap advertising propaganda. Let us studiously avoid any copying of these methods. One can scarcely imagine a Paul, a Peter, or a Philip, bidding for large crowds by advertising sensational topics. Let the Word be preached and the testimony given in its rugged simplicity, yet with warm-hearted compassion, and the Holy Spirit will look after results. That is His work. Depend upon Him to do it.

Finally, permit us to suggest a few of

THE METHODS

of such evangelism.

It goes without saying, of course, that fundamental to all public testimony is home witnessing. Like the healed demoniac, we are to "go home to our friends and tell them" (Mk. 5:19), and "return to our own house and show how great things God hath done unto us" (Lk. 8:39). Telling and showing at home are of prime importance. Andrew made his great catch when "he first findeth his own brother Simon… and he brought him to Jesus." We can well imagine Andrew's joy as he listened to that brother giving out his great Pentecostal sermon that brought about 3,000 to the Saviour's feet, and can be certain that he will share Peter's reward in that Day.

Another way in which we can effectively "love the stranger" is by whole-hearted co-operation in the Assembly Gospel meetings. We may not be on the platform, but our presence at the door to give a friendly greeting, or to usher a new-comer to a seat, or, again, to give a Gospel leaflet as the friends pass out-these are all contributory to a bright and attractive service. But let us resolve to be present at that regular meeting, even though not actively participating at all. Our very presence is a general contribution. It is our conviction that a telling service could be conducted if a number of spiritual young people would arrange to participate. Is this not one of the attractive features in the well-known "Oxford Group" meetings? While we deplore the counterfeit message this Movement is peddling, yet there are some features of their methods which are worthy of imitation. And this is one. "In the mouth of two or three witnesses let every word be established," is a New Testament principle, as well as an Old. We do not mean that several addresses should be given during one service, but that several should rather give brief messages in the nature of personal witness. Accounts of personal experience are nearly always interesting.

And then there is the tract work. How very important this is!. This method of reaching the lost yields an abundant measure of blessing which only That Day will reveal. Only the other day, in Ontario, we met a bright Christian who was led into the assurance of his salvation through reading "The Reason Why," slipped into his hand by someone who was quite unacquainted with his soul-exercise. Today that young man is actively engaged in the dissemination of Christian literature. Marvelous accounts of conversion through the distribution of sound Gospel tracts could be related. And so, take courage, young Christian worker. "Blessed are ye that sow beside all waters." The great Summer Season is before us, large varieties of excellent Gospel papers may be ours for very little, and the masses are still thronging that broad and crowded road that leads to endless night.

With the Summer evenings come excellent opportunities for open-air meetings, and here there is room for every young soldier of Christ. In this way we may reach the ear of a large percentage of persons who for various reasons do not frequent any religious services. This line of service should call forth all our evangelistic zeal. The Lord's word is imperative, "Give ye them to eat." His own hand multiplies the loaves that are first yielded to Him by us, and it is ours to distribute them to the hungry multitude.

The open-air work presents opportunities for the singer as well as the preacher. In fact, bright singing of familiar Gospel songs is essential if the passer-by is to be attracted. Then, let those who participate in the preaching speak distinctly and to the audience. A well told story is, perhaps, one of the best ways of commencing a brief talk. The story should not be too long, be true to fact, quickly and pointedly applied, so that the truth will go home to the mind and to the heart. It must be obvious that long-winded open-air sermons are to be deplored and avoided. The man on the street hasn't much patience, and the long-drawn-out harangue is not likely to increase it. Moreover, let us be sure to quote frequent Gospel texts, and quote them correctly. We rightly contend with earnestness for the verbal inspiration of the Bible, but if we are careless in the quotation of its passages, we fail to practically support, our contention. Might it not be well to thoroughly prepare the Gospel arrows we expect to shoot before adjusting them to the bow-string on the street-corner? "The Word of God is living and operative" (Heb. 4:12, J.N.D. Trans.).

May I tell you briefly of a new method (to us) in open-air work that was tried successfully one Saturday evening last Summer in an Ontario town? After several bright hymns had been sung and a fairly interested audience had gathered, one of the young men who was speaking raised the oft-heard objection, "I have never really done any harm, and do not know why I would need to be saved." Turning to his partner in the circle, he said suddenly, "How would you answer that question, Mr. –?" The one addressed, who was prepared, immediately replied, "But the Word of God says, 'All have sinned,' and 'There is not a just man on earth that doeth good and sinneth not.'" Then followed quotations and arguments meeting the objection. "But," shot back the other, as he faced now the crowd and now the other worker, "if that be true, I do not understand how anyone can know they are saved now."
"Well, the Word of God says, 'By grace are ye saved through faith.' " After enlarging upon this truth several more common difficulties* were voiced by the first speaker, and each lime the other began his answer in the same way:"But the Word of God says…." As you might suppose, the audience quickly grew, and followed the dialogue with the keenest of interest. *A. Marshall's tract, "God's Way of Salvation," will be found very helpful as both suggesting and answering common difficulties.* Without doubt God blessed the Word, a number of inquirers were dealt with afterwards, and hundreds of tracts given out, and almost every one thankfully accepted.

May the Lord of the harvest abundantly bless every true young harvester, and may we all be used of Him as never before in "loving the stranger." C. Ernest Tatham