How to do Evangelism
by Ellen White
Love works not for profit nor reward; yet God has ordained that great gain shall be the
certain result of every labour of love. It is diffusive in its nature, and quiet in its
operation, yet strong and mighty in its purpose to overcome great evils. It is melting and
transforming in its influence, and will take hold of the lives of the sinful and affect
their hearts when every other means has proved unsuccessful. 2T 135
Arguments against the sacred truth, subtle in their influence, affect minds that are
not well informed in regard to the strength of the truth. The moral sensibilities of the
community at large are blunted by familiarity with sin. Selfishness, dishonesty, and the
varied sins which prevail in this degenerate age have blunted the senses to eternal things
so that God's truth is not discerned. In giving publicity to the erroneous arguments of
our opponents, truth and error are placed upon a level in their minds, when, if they could
have the truth before them in its clearness long enough to see and realise its sacredness
and importance, they would be convinced of the strong arguments in its favour and would
then be prepared to meet the arguments urged by opposers. 3T 427
We are nearing the close of this earth's history. We have before us a great work,--the
closing work of giving the last warning message to a sinful world. There are men who will
be taken from the plough, from the vineyard, from various other branches of work, and sent
forth by the Lord to give this message to the world.
The world is out of joint. As we look at the picture, the outlook seems discouraging.
But Christ greets with hopeful assurance the very men and women who cause us
discouragement. In them He sees qualifications that will enable them to take a place in
His vineyard. If they will constantly be learners, through His providence He will make
them men and women fitted to do a work that is not beyond their capabilities; through the
impartation of the Holy Spirit, He will give them power of utterance. . . .
The common people are to take their place as workers. Sharing the sorrows of their
fellow men as the Saviour shared the sorrows of humanity, they will by faith see Him
working with them. 7T 270-272
In the cities of today, where there is so much to attract and please, the people can be
interested by no ordinary efforts. Ministers of God's appointment will find it necessary
to put forth extraordinary efforts in order to arrest the attention of the multitudes. And
when they succeed in bringing together a large number of people, they must bear messages
of a character so out of the usual order that the people will be aroused and warned. They
must make use of every means that can possibly be devised for causing the truth to stand
out clearly and distinctly. The testing message for this time is to be borne so plainly
and decidedly as to startle the hearers and lead them to desire to study the Scriptures.
9T 109
The Lord has given to some ministers the ability to gather and to hold large
congregations. This calls for the exercise of tact and skill. In the cities of today,
where there is so much to attract and please, the people can be interested by no ordinary
efforts. Ministers of God's appointment will find it necessary to put forth extraordinary
efforts in order to arrest the attention of the multitudes. And when they succeed in
bringing together a large number of people they must bear messages of a character so out
of the usual order that the people will be aroused and warned. They must make use of every
means that can possibly be devised for causing the truth to stand out clearly and
distinctly. The testing message for this time is to be borne so plainly and decidedly as
to startle the hearers and lead them to desire to study the Scriptures. 9T 109
Those who do the work of the Lord in the cities must put forth calm, steady, devoted
effort for the education of the people. While they are to labour earnestly to interest the
hearers and to hold this interest, yet at the same time they must carefully guard against
anything that borders on sensationalism. In this age of extravagance and outward show,
when men think it is necessary to make a display in order to gain success, God's chosen
messengers are to show the fallacy of spending means needlessly for effect. As they labour
with simplicity, humility, and graceful dignity, avoiding everything of a theatrical
nature, their work will make a lasting impression for good. 9T 109
In the visions of the night a very impressive scene passed before me. I saw an immense
ball of fire fall among some beautiful mansions, causing their instant destruction. I
heard someone say: "We knew that the judgements of God were coming upon the earth,
but we did not know that they would come so soon." Others, with agonised voices,
said: "You knew! Why then did you not tell us? We did not know." On every side I
heard similar words of reproach spoken. 9T 28
Through the grace of Christ, God's ministers are made messengers of light and blessing.
As by earnest, persevering prayer they obtain the endowment of the Holy Spirit and go
forth weighted with the burden of soulsaving, their hearts filled with zeal to extend the
triumphs of the cross, they will see fruit of their labours. Resolutely refusing to
display human wisdom or to exalt self, they will accomplish a work that will withstand the
assaults of Satan. Many souls will be turned from darkness to light, and many churches
will be established. Men will be converted, not to the human instrumentality, but to
Christ. AA 278
By this relation of events in the lives of the prophets, Jesus met the questionings of
His hearers. The servants whom God had chosen for a special work, were not allowed to
labour for a hard-hearted and unbelieving people. But those who had hearts to feel and
faith to believe were especially favoured with evidences of His power through the
prophets. In the days of Elijah, Israel had departed from God. They clung to their sins,
and rejected the warnings of the Spirit through the Lord's messengers. Thus they cut
themselves off from the channel by which God's blessing could come to them. The Lord
passed by the homes of Israel, and found a refuge for His servant in a heathen land, with
a woman who did not belong to the chosen people. But this woman was favoured because she
had followed the light she had received, and her heart was open to the greater light that
God sent her through His prophet. DA 238
In the commission to His disciples, Christ not only outlined their work but gave them
their message. Teach the people, He said, "to observe all things whatsoever I have
commanded you." The disciples were to teach what Christ had taught. That which He had
spoken, not only in person, but through all the prophets and teachers of the Old
Testament, is here included. Human teachings is shut out. There is no place for
tradition,for man's theories and conclusions, or for church legislation. No laws ordained
by ecclesiastical authority are included in the commission. None of these are Christ's
servants to teach. "The law and the prophets," with the record of His own words
and deeds, are the treasure committed to the disciples to be given to the world. . . .
The gospel is to be presented, not as a lifeless theory, but as a living force to
change the life. God desires that the receivers of His grace shall be witnesses to its
power. DA 826
He who seeks to transform humanity must himself understand humanity. Only through
sympathy, faith, and love can men be reached and uplifted. Here Christ stands revealed as
the Master Teacher; of all that ever dwelt on the earth, He alone has perfect
understanding of the human soul. ED 78
Let the truth be presented as it is in Jesus, line upon line, precept upon precept,
here a little, and there a little. Speak of the love of God in words easy to be
understood. Bible truth, presented in the meekness and love of Jesus will have a telling
influence upon many minds.
EV 199
In labouring in a new field, do not think it your duty to say at once to the people, We
are Seventh-day Adventists; we believe that the seventh day is the Sabbath; we believe in
the nonimmortality of the soul. This would often erect a formidable barrier between you
and those you wish to reach. Speak to them, as you have opportunity, upon points of
doctrine on which you can agree. Dwell on the necessity of practical godliness. Give them
evidence that you are a Christian, desiring peace, and that you love their souls. Let them
see that you are conscientious. Thus you will gain their confidence; and there will be
time enough for doctrines. Let the heart be won, the soil prepared, and then sow the seed,
presenting in love the truth as it is in Jesus. EV 200 (GW 119F [1915])
Those who have been educated in the truth by precept and example should make great
allowance for others who have had no knowledge of the Scriptures except through the
interpretations given by ministers and church members, and who have received traditions
and fables as Bible truth. They are surprised by the presentation of truth; it is as a new
revelation to them, and they cannot bear to have all the truth, in its most striking
character, presented to them at the outset. All is new and strange and wholly unlike that
which they have heard from their ministers, and they are inclined to believe what the
ministers have told them, that Seventh-day Adventists are infidels and do not believe the
Bible. Let the truth be presented as it is in Jesus, line upon line, precept upon precept,
here a little, and there a little.--Undated Manuscript 79. EV 201
The places in which the truth has never been proclaimed are the best places in which to
work. The truth is to take possession of the will of those who have never before heard it.
They will see the sinfulness of sin, and their repentance will be thorough and sincere.
The Lord will work upon hearts that in the past have not often been appealed to, hearts
that heretofore have not seen the enormity of sin.--Letter 106, 1903. EV 21
After the people have embraced the truth and taken their stand, then the Lord will
prepare them to be educated for the full reception of Bible truth. EV 386
Some time ago Elder _____ got out some very startling notices regarding the destruction
of New York. I wrote immediately to the ones in charge of the work there, saying it is not
wise to publish such notices, that thus excitement might be aroused which would result in
a fanatical movement, hurting the cause of God... Startling notices are detrimental to the
progress of the work.... EV 387
By personal labour reach the people where they are. Become acquainted with them. This
work cannot be done by proxy. Money loaned or given cannot accomplish it. Sermons from the
pulpit cannot do it. Teaching the Scriptures in families,--this is the work of an
evangelist, and this work is to be united with preaching. If it is omitted, the preaching
will be, to a great extent, a failure. EV 440
We are altogether too narrow in our plans. We need to be broader minded. God wants us
to carry out in our work for Him the principles of truth and righteousness. His work is to
go forward in cities and towns and villages. . . .
We must get away from our smallness and make larger plans. There must be a wider
reaching forth to work for those who are nigh and those who are afar off.-- Manuscript 87,
1907. EV 46
The Lord will work through those who will open the Scriptures to the people who have
made their homes in these retired places of the country. I appeal to my brethren and
sisters to unite in doing this good work, and carry it to completion. . . .
I have much to say in regard to these settlements in the mountains. These are like
settlements near Washington, where a similar work should be done. Will not our people work
more faithfully in the highways and hedges? Commercial enterprises have so long absorbed
the interest and capabilities of so many Seventh-day Adventist that they are largely
unfitted to do the work of bringing the light of present truth before those who are
ignorant of it. We should not be content to permit such a condition to continue.
There are many of our people who, if they would go out of the cities and begin to
labour in these byways, and also highways, would recover physical health. I urge our
brethren to go out as missionaries, two and two, to these country places. Go in humility.
Christ has given an example, and the Lord will certainly bless the efforts of those who
will move out in the fear of God, bearing the message the Saviour gave to the first
disciples, "The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you."-- Manuscript 65, 1908.
EV 51
There is danger that our ministers will say too much against the Catholics and provoke
against themselves the strongest prejudices of that church. EV 573
It is true we are commanded to "cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a
trumpet, and show My people their transgressions, and the house of Jacob their sins."
Isa 58:1. This message must be given, but while it must be given, we should be careful not
to thrust and crowd and condemn those who have not the light that we have. We should not
go out of our way to make hard thrusts at the Catholics. Among the Catholics there are
many who are most conscientious Christians, and sho walk in all the light that shines upon
them, and God will work in their behalf. EV 575
Be guarded. In bearing the message, make no personal thrusts at other churches, not
even the Roman Catholic Church. Angels of God see in the different denominations many who
can be reached only by the greatest caution. Therefore let us be careful of our words. Let
not our ministers follow their own impulses in denouncing and exposing the "mysteries
of iniquity." Upon these themes silence is eloquence. Many are deceived. Speak the
truth in tomes and words of love. Let Christ be exalted. Keep to the affirmative of truth.
EV 576
We may have less to say in some lines, in regard to the Roman power and the Papacy, but
we should call attention to what the prophets and apostles have written under the
inspiration of the Spirit of God. EV 577
They (the youth who attend Battle Creek College) may not need sermons and long
censorious lectures as much as they need genuine interest. Let them know by your works
that you love them and have a care for their souls. FE 55
Men of faith and prayer will be constrained to go forth with holy zeal, declaring the
words which God gives them. The sins of Babylon will be laid open. The fearful results of
enforcing the observances of the church by civil authority, the inroads of Spiritualism,
the stealthy but rapid progress of the papal power,--all will be unmasked. By these solemn
warnings the people will be stirred. Thousands upon thousands will listen who have never
heard words like these. In amazement they hear the testimony that Babylon is the church,
fallen because of her errors and sins, because of her rejection of the truth sent to her
from heaven. GC 606
These things have a bad influence on ministers who are handling sacred, elevated
truths,--truths which are to prove as a savour of life unto life, or of death unto death,
to those who hear them. Generally, the influence of discussions upon our ministers is to
make them self-sufficient, exalted in their own estimation. This is not all. Those who
love to debate are unfitted for being pastors to the flock. They have trained their minds
to meet opponents, and to say sarcastic things; and they cannot come down to meet hearts
that are sorrowing, and need to be comforted. They have also dwelt so much upon the
argumentative that they have neglected the practical subjects that the flock of God need.
They have but little knowledge of the sermons of Christ, which enter into the every-day
life of the Christian, and they have but little disposition to study them. They have risen
above the simplicity of the work. When they were little in their own eyes, God helped
them; angels of God ministered unto them, and made their labours highly successful in
convincing men and women of the truth. But in the training of their minds for discussion,
they frequently become coarse and rough. They lose the interest and tender sympathy which
should ever attend the efforts of a shepherd of Christ.
GW 184
Ministers of God, with hearts aglow with love for Christ and your fellow men, seek to
arouse those who are dead in trespasses and sins. Let your earnest entreaties and warnings
pierce their consciences. Let your fervent prayers melt their hearts, and lead them in
penitence to the Saviour. You are ambassadors for Christ, to proclaim His message of
salvation. GW 35
The message we have to bear is not a message that men need cringe to declare. They are
not to seek to cover it, to conceal its origin and purpose. Its advocates must be men who
will not hold their peace day nor night. As those who have made solemn vows to God, and
who have been commissioned as the messengers of Christ, as stewards of the mysteries of
the grace of God, we are under obligation to declare faithfully the whole counsel of God.
We are not to make less prominent the special truths that have separated us from the
world, and made us what we are; for they are fraught with eternal interests. God has given
us light in regard to the things that are now taking place in the last remnant of time,
and with pen and voice we are to proclaim the truth to a world, not in a tame, spiritless
way, but in demonstration of the Spirit and power of God. HM NOV.01,1893
Let your influence be persuasive, binding people to your hearts because you love Jesus.
These precious souls are his purchased possession. This is a great work! If, by your
Christlike words and actions, you make impression that will kindle in their hearts a
hungering and thirsting after righteousness and truth, you are co-labourers with Christ.
Purity of thought must be cherished as indispensable to the work of influencing others.
PH048 9
There is a work to be done by living human agencies, which they are slow to comprehend.
They need to study the Scriptures, to search the Bible, with humble, teachable minds, that
they may know their place in the work, and not move haphazard, but fall into line, keeping
step with Jesus. "Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a
highway for our God." Every talent with which God has endowed the human agent is now
to be awakened, to be employed, not solely in worldly transactions, to buy and sell and
get gain, not to use your God-given powers selfishly, greedily to make a place for
yourself in the earth; no, you want now to consecrate every entrusted talent of means and
ability, having yourself under the influence and guidance of the Holy Spirit. Not a word
is to be spoken unadvisedly, to stir up the elements of opposition; not an action entered
into to create any deeper enmity than exists in the hearts of the enemies of truth; and,
moving with well-balanced minds, holding aloft the banner of truth, grace from God will be
given, wisdom will be imparted, and angels of God will be commissioned to minister unto
all who walk in humility of mind, trustingly accepting the truth as it is revealed,
standing by their colours, but not creating persecution by unwise actions, but moving in
the footsteps of Jesus. "Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of
his." PH084 20
The faith of Jesus and the testimony of Jesus are blended. They are to be clearly
presented to the world. But in God's word we are shown the consequences of proclaiming
this message. "The dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the
remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus
Christ." A refusal to obey the commandments of God, and a determination to cherish
hatred against those who proclaim these commandments, leads to the most determined war on
the part of the dragon, whose whole energies are brought to bear against the
commandment-keeping people of God. "He causeth all, both small and great . . . to
receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads." Not only are men not to
work with their hands on Sunday, but with their minds are they to acknowledge Sunday as
the Sabbath. "And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the
name of the beast, or the number of this name." PH086 6
Evangelistic work, opening the Scriptures to others, warning men and women of what is
coming upon the world, is to occupy more and still more of the time of God's servants. RH
AUG. 2,1906
The perils of the last days are upon us. Devote not precious time in trying to convince
those who would change the truth of God into a lie. Proclaim the third angel's message.
Bear a straightforward, clear-cut message.
If some choose another position, let them alone. Labour for those who have never had
the evidence of truth. So long as men hold fast to , and believe men in the place of the
word of God, you can do little to help them. You are working against principalities and
powers, as is represented in Eph. 6:12.
We are to revive the truth; to stand in the truth. Whoever is determined to depart from
the faith can not be helped by you. All your reasoning will be as idle tales. Take the
banner of truth and hold it aloft, higher and still higher. The Lord calls for faithful
minutemen. Go into the cities that need the message of a soon-coming Saviour. Thousands of
unbelievers in our cities need to hear the last message of warning.
It is Satan's plan to produce these variances, to keep our minds on dissensions and
unprofitable problems until the last woe shall come upon the world. Time now is too
precious to be lost through confusion. Proclaim to the world that Christ is soon coming.
RH AUG.09,1906
We are not ready for this great issue to which the enforcement of the Sunday law will
bring us. Let the members of our churches become missionaries for the Master; let them not
linger in ease and indifference; but let them go forth to work for God. Their spiritual
muscles have been nearly palsied with inaction. Go without the camp, bearing the reproach
for Christ and the truth. Work to-day in the Lord's vineyard. Go out into the highways and
hedges, and stir up the people to investigate the truth. Woe to all who profess to walk in
the light, yet who are at ease in Zion. They absorb the God-given rays of righteousness,
but do not diffuse the light to others. The parable of the faithless servant who hid his
Lord's money, condemns them, and they are classed among those who refuse to be
co-labourers with Jesus Christ, selfishly caring for their own ease, and leaving those for
whom Christ has died, to perish without the knowledge of the truth which God has
graciously given to them. Those who have been the receivers of spiritual light, may become
the receptacles of darkness, to whom the words of Christ are applicable, "If
therefore the light which is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!" RH
JAN.01,1889
From Christ's methods of labour we may learn many valuable lessons. He did not follow
merely one method; in various ways he sought to gain the attention of the multitude; and
then he proclaimed to them the truths of the gospel. RH JAN.17,1907
Much depends upon the work done by the members of the church in connection with and
following the tent-meetings that shall be held in our cities. During the meeting, many,
convicted by the Spirit, may be filled with a desire to begin the Christian life; but
unless there is constant watchfulness on the part of the workers who remain to follow up
the interest, the good impressions made on the minds of the people will become indistinct.
The enemy, full of subtle reasoning, will take advantage of every failure on the part of
God's workers to watch for souls as they that must give an account. RH MAR.02,1905
Europe is stretching out her hands to us for help, and the way is opened to do a good
work there if the press can be established, and publications go forth from it in the
German, French, and Italian languages. Bro. Ribton says that Italy needs publications in
her own language, in order for our ministry to be successful there. These repeated and
urgent calls stir our inmost soul; yet we are unable to personally aid the European
mission as we would like to do. Now is the time to invest the means which God has
intrusted to his stewards for this very work. Time is short; hoarded wealth will soon be
worthless. When the decree shall go forth that none shall buy or sell except they have the
mark of the beast, very much means will be of no avail. God calls for us now to do all in
our power to send forth the warning to the world. RH MAR.21,1878
Combine the medical missionary work with the proclamation of the third angel's message.
Make regular, organised effort to lift the churches out of the dead level into which they
have fallen and have remained for years. Send into the churches workers who will set the
principles of health reform in their connection with the third angel's message before
every family and individual. Encourage all to take part in work for their fellowmen, and
see if the breath of life will not quickly return to these churches. The world needs
evidences of sincere Christianity. Professed Christianity may be seen everywhere; but when
the power of God's grace is seen in our churches, the members will work the works of
Christ. Natural and hereditary traits of character will be transformed. The indwelling of
His Spirit will enable them to reveal Christ's likeness, and in proportion to the purity
of their piety will be the success of their work. TM 416
The science of salvation is to be the burden of every sermon, the theme of every song.
Let it be poured forth in every supplication. Let nothing be brought into the preaching of
the Word to supplement Christ, the Word and power of God. Let His name, the only name
given under heaven whereby we may be saved, be exalted in every discourse, and from
sabbath to sabbath let the trumpet of the watchmen give a certain sound. Christ is the
science and eloquence of the gospel, and His ministers are to hold forth the Word of life,
presenting hope to the penitent, peace to the troubled and desponding, and grace and
completeness and strength to the believing. --Ms 107,1898 (The Voice in Speech and Song,
337) VSS 337