THE EVANGELIST IS NOT OF THE WORLD

THE EVANGELIST IS NOT OF THE WORLD

I am glad you go with me in any measure as to evangelising. I think your individual exertion is within the province of the Holy Ghost, and useable by Him, but any appropriated agency is not. “They that take the sword shall perish with the sword” (Matthew 26: 52), applies I believe to the use of ^[p. 26] all human force or parade, not merely to soldiers to whom it is too commonly confined. As to Paul’s disputing, the word used is dialegw from which dialect comes, and was not necessarily very public; and his doing this with those that met with him makes it very individual, as I see it. I do not of course object to preaching, or having people collected in a room, but I think if you see the calling of an evangelist you will not place confidence in any of the accompaniments or auxiliaries of it, but in the mission entrusted to him; and this the Holy Ghost blesses. An imperfect and untrue idea has been given of Christianity by the fact that a preacher can be of the world, and yet can proclaim the gospel. This is Christendom. Now the evangelist proper must renounce all position, all positive or continuous employment; he is an angel on earth, as the angels have tidings to convey from heaven; he may work with his hands where he serves, but he must be free to be the messenger of glad tidings.

I have thought over your move, and my impression is that a little camp-life would be very happy for you. I think if you were with other generals for a while it would be for the benefit of the whole army. You have been a good officer at the depot; a time at headquarters would enable you to see what others were made of, and also to see whether you had any corners which need rounding. We are poor judges of what is good for others. I merely tell you my wishes for you.