Chapter XVII
they certainly cannot be won if you lose your temper, nothing delights them more, or gives them more comfort in their sin. The more iritating they are in their words and actions, the more impressed they will be if you return their insults with kindness. Oftentimes the one who has been the most insufferable will break down in penitence. One of the most insulting men I ever met afterward became one of the most patient, persistent and effective of workers.
XII. Never have a heated argument with one whom you would lead to Christ. Heated arguments always come from the flesh and not from the Spirit. (Gal. 5:20, 22, 23.) They arise from pride, and unwillingness to let the other person get the best of you in argument. If you care more about winning him to Christ than you do about winning your case, you will often let the other man think that he has the best of the argument, absolutely refusing to argue. If the one with whom you are talking has mistaken notions that must be removed before he can be led to Christ, show him his error
‘ quietly and pleasantly. If the error is not on an essential point, refuse to discuss it at all, and hold the person to the
XIII. Never interrupt any one else who is dealing with a soul. Too much emphasis cannot be laid upon this point. You may not think the other is doing the work in the wisest way, but if you can do any better, bide your time, and you will have the opportunity. Many an unskilled worker has had some one at the very point of decision, when some meddler, who thought he was wiser, has broken in and upset the work. Do not even stand by one who is talking to another and listen to what he is saying. Incalculable mischief may be done in this way. The thought of the one who is being dealt with is distracted, his heart is closed up, and a case that might have been won is lost.
On the other hand, do not let others interrupt you. Of course, sometimes it is not possible to altogether prevent it, but stop the interruption just as soon as possible. Just a little word plainly but courteously spoken will usually prevent it, but at any cost insist upon being left alone.
XIV. Don’t be in a hurry. One of the comimotest and gravest fatilts in Christian work to-day is haste. We are too anxious for itimediate results, and so we do stiperficial work: It is very noticeable how many of those with whom Christ dealt came out slowly; Nicodemus, Joseph, Peter, and even Paul (though the final step in His case seetis very sudden) were cases itipoint. It was three days even after the personal appearance of Jesus to Paul on the way to Damascus, before the latter came out clearly into the light and openly confessed Christ. (Acts 22:16.) One man with whom siow but thorough work has been done, and who at last has been. brought out clearly for Christ and who knows just where he stands and what to do, is better than a dozen with whom hasty work has been done, who think they have accepted Christ, when in reality they have not. It is often a wise policy to plant a truth ina man’s heart and leave it to work. The seed on rocky ground springs up quickly, but withers as quickly.
XV. Get the person with whom you are dealing on his knees before God. This rule has exceptions. Sometimes it is not possible to gét the person to kneel, and sometimes it is not wise; but it is wonderful how many difficulties disappear in prayer, and how readily stubborn people yield when they are brought into the very presence of God Hitnself. I remember talking with a young woman in an inquiry room for about two hotirs, and making no apparent headway, but when at last we knelt in prayer, in less than five minutes she was rejoicing in our Saviour. Sometimes it is well to have a few words of prayer before you deal with an individual at all, but of course this is not at all wise in many cases; however, in almost every case it is wise if the person is willing to pray, to have a few words of prayer before you close. If the way of life has been tnade perfectly clear to the inquirer, have him dlso lead in prayer. There are those who object to getting an unsaved person to pray, but there is clear Bible warrant for it; Cornelitis was not a4saved man. This is perféctly clear from Acts ti: 14, nevertheiess he was sincerely seeking the light; and God sent him word that his prayers had come up for a memorial before Him. Now, any one who is honestly seeking Jight, even though he has not as yet that knowledge of Jesus that brings salvation, is in practically the same position as Cornelius, and one of the best things to do is to get that one to pray. It is certainly right for a sinner seeking pardon through the atoning blood to pray. (Luke 18: 13, 14.) Some may say, ““One who has no faith has no right to pray.’”’ But suchaone has faith, their prayer is the first evidence of that faith. (Kom. 10:13, 14.)
XVI. Whenever you seem to fail in any given case, go home and pray over it and study it to see why you failed. Never give up a case because of one failure. If you have been at a loss to know what Scripture to use, study this book to see the different classes we meet and how to deal with them, and find out where this person belongs and how to deal with him, and then go back if you can, and try again. In any case you will be better prepared for the next case of the same kind. The greatest success in this work comes through many apparent defeats. It will be well to frequently study these hints and suggestions, and see if your failure has come through neglect of them. But be sure to take to God in prayer the case in which you yourself have failed.
XVII. Before parting with the one who has accepted Christ, be sure to give him definite instructions as to how to succeed in the Christian life. These instructions will be found at the close of Chapter V. It is well to give these instructions in some permanent form. For this purpose two tracts have been written by the author of this book, one called ‘‘The Christian Life Card,’’ and the other ‘‘How to Make a Success of the Christian Life.’’ Either of these can be secured from the Bible Institute Colportage Association, Chicago.
XVIII. When you have led any one to Christ, follow him up aod help him in the development of his Christian life. There is nothing sadder in Christian work to-day than the number who are led to Christ, and then neglected. Such are almost certain to get on very poorly. No greater mistake could be possible. The work of following up those who are converted is as important as the work of leading them to Christ. and as a rule no one can do it so well as the person who has been used in their
conversion. All the methods of dealing in personal work, given in
the foregoing chapters, will suggest texts and lines of thought for helpful sermons,
BOOK II
METHODS OF CHRISTIAN WORK