We trust it may not be deemed out of place if we venture to offer a word of counsel
and encouragement to all who have been and are engaged in the blessed work of
preaching the gospel of the grace of God. We are, in some measure, aware of the
difficulties and discouragements which attend upon the path of every evangelist,
whatever may be his sphere of labor or measure of gift; and it is our heart’s desire to
hold up the hands and cheer the hearts of all who may be in danger of falling under the
depressing power of these things. We increasingly feel the immense importance of an
earnest, fervent gospel testimony everywhere; and we dread exceedingly any falling off
therein. We are imperatively called to "do the work of an evangelist," and not to be
moved from that work by any arguments or considerations whatsoever.

Let none imagine that in writing thus we mean to detract in the smallest degree from
the value of teaching, lecturing, or exhortation. Nothing is further from our thoughts.
"These ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone" (Matt. 23:23). We
mean not to compare the work of the evangelist with that of the teacher, or to exalt the
former at the expense of the latter. Each has its own proper place, its own distinctive
interest and importance.

But is there not a danger, on the other hand, of the evangelist abandoning his own
precious work in order to give himself to the work of teaching and lecturing? Is there
not a danger of the evangelist becoming merged in the teacher? We fear there is; and it
is under the influence of this very fear that we pen these few lines. We observe, with
deep concern, some who were once known among us as earnest and eminently
successful evangelists, now almost wholly abandoning their work and becoming
teachers and lecturers.

This is most deplorable. We really want evangelists. A true evangelist is almost as great
a rarity as a true pastor. Alas! how rare are both! The two are closely connected. The
evangelist gathers the sheep; the pastor feeds and cares for them. The work of each lies
very near the heart of Christ_ the Divine Evangelist and Pastor; but it is with the
former we have now more immediately to do_to encourage him in his work, and to
warn him against the temptation to turn aside from it. We cannot afford to lose a single
ambassador just now, or to have a single preacher silent. We are perfectly aware of the
fact that there is in some quarters a strong tendency to throw cold water upon the work
of evangelization. There is a sad lack of sympathy with the preacher of the gospel, and
of active cooperation with him in his work.

Our blessed Lord was an untiring preacher of the gospel, and all who are filled with
His mind and spirit will take a lively interest in the work of all those who are seeking in
their feeble measure to do the same. This interest will be evinced, not only by earnest
prayer for the divine blessing upon the work, but also by diligent and persevering
efforts to get souls under the sound of the gospel.

This is the way to help the evangelist, and this way lies open to every member of the
Church of God_man, woman, or child. All can thus help forward the glorious work of
evangelization. If each member of the assembly were to work diligently and prayerfully
in this way, how different would it be with the Lord’s servants who are seeking to
make known the unsearchable riches of Christ.