Evangelism. Ellen G. White

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      Jesus Sent Out Brother With Brother—Calling the twelve about Him, Jesus bade them go out two and two through the towns and villages. None were sent forth alone, but brother was associated with brother, friend with friend. Thus they could help and encourage each other, counseling and praying together, each one’s strength supplementing the other’s weakness. In the same manner He afterward sent forth the seventy. It was the Saviour’s purpose that the messengers of the gospel should be associated in this way. In our own time evangelistic work would be far more successful if this example were more closely followed.—The Desire of Ages, 350 (1898).

      God’s Plan for the Work Today—When Jesus sent His disciples forth to labor, ... they did not feel as some do now, that they would rather work alone than have anyone with them who did not labor just as they labored. Our Saviour understood what ones to associate together. He did not connect with the mild, beloved John one of the same temperament; but He connected with him the ardent, impulsive Peter. These (p.73) two men were not alike either in their disposition or in their manner of labor. Peter was prompt and zealous in action, bold and uncompromising, and would often wound; John was ever calm, and considerate of others’ feelings, and would come after to bind up and encourage. Thus the defects in one were partially covered by the virtues in the other. [See also pp. 103-107, “Allowing for More Than One Man’s Method.”]

      God never designed that, as a rule, His servants should go out singly to labor. To illustrate: Here are two brothers. They are not of the same temperament; their minds do not run in the same channel. One is in danger of doing too much; the other fails to carry the burdens that he should. If associated together, these might have a molding influence upon each other, so that the extremes in their characters would not stand out so prominently in their labors. It might not be necessary for them to be together in every meeting; but they could labor in places ten, fifteen or even thirty miles apart,—near enough together, however, so that if one came to a crisis in his labors, he could call on the other for assistance. They should also come together as often as possible for prayer and consultation....

      When one labors alone continually, he is apt to think that his way is above criticism, and he feels no particular desire to have anyone labor with him. But it is Christ’s plan that someone should stand right by his side, so that the work shall not be molded entirely by one man’s mind, and so that his defects of character shall not be regarded as virtues by himself or by those who hear him.

      Unless a speaker has one by his side with whom he can share the labor, he will many times be placed in circumstances where he will be obliged to do violence (p.74) to the laws of life and health. Then, again, important things sometimes transpire to call him away right in the crisis of an interest. If two are connected in labor, the work at such times need not be left alone.—Historical Sketches, pp. 126, 127. (1886).

      Advantages of United Labor—There is need of two working together; for one can encourage the other, and they can counsel, pray, and search the Bible together. In this they may get a broader light upon the truth; for one will see one phase, and the other another phase of the truth. If they are erring, they can correct one another in speech and attitude, so that the truth may not be lightly esteemed because of the defects of its advocates. If the workers are sent out alone, there is no one to see or correct their errors; but when two go together, an educating work may be carried on, and each worker become what he should be—a successful soul winner.—The Review and Herald, July 4, 1893.

      Why Not Today?—Why is it that we have departed from the method of labor which was instituted by the Great Teacher? Why is it that the laborers in His cause today are not sent forth two and two? “Oh,” you say, “we have not laborers enough to occupy the field.” Then occupy less territory. Send forth the laborers into the places where the way seems to be opened, and teach the precious truth for this time. Can we not see the wisdom of having two go together to preach the gospel?—The Review and Herald, April 19, 1892.

      The Evangelistic Site

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      “Study Your Location”—Enter the large cities, and create an interest among the high and the low. Make it your work to preach the gospel to the poor, but do (p.75) not stop there. Seek to reach the higher classes also. Study your location with a view to letting your light shine forth to others. This work should have been done long since.—Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, 400 (1896).

      Work in Halls—Let halls be hired, and let the message be given with such power that the hearers will be convinced. God will raise up workers who will occupy peculiar spheres of influence, workers who will carry the truth to the most unpromising places.—Manuscript 127, 1901.

      Large Halls in Our Cities—The large halls in our cities should be secured, that the third angel’s message may be proclaimed by human lips. Thousands will appreciate the message.—Letter 35, 1895.

      The Most Popular Halls—It requires money to carry the message of warning to the cities. It is sometimes necessary to hire at large expense the most popular halls, in order that we may call the people out. Then we can give them Bible evidence of the truth.—Manuscript 114, 1905.

      Begin Cautiously—I have been and still am instructed regarding the necessities required for the work in the cities. We must quietly secure buildings, without defining all we intend to do. We must use great wisdom in what we say, lest our way be hedged up. Lucifer is an ingenious worker, drawing from our people all possible knowledge, that he may, if possible, defeat the plans laid to arouse our cities. On some points silence is eloquence.—Letter 84, 1910.

      Lease Good Halls—In some places the work must begin in a small way, and advance slowly. This is all that the laborers can do. But in many cases a wider and more decided effort might be made at the outset, (p.76) with good results. The work in _____ might now be much further advanced than it is if our brethren, at the beginning of the work there, had not tried to work in so cheap a way. If they had hired good halls, and carried forward the work as though we had great truths, which would surely be victorious, they would have had greater success. God would have the work started in such a way that the first impressions given shall be, as far as they go, the very best that can be made.—Gospel Workers, 462 (1915).

      Tents Pitched in Most Favorable Places—We must carry the truth to the cities. Tents are to be pitched in the most favorable places, and meetings held.—The Review and Herald, May 25, 1905.

      Care of Tent Ground—Elder _____ has had the big camp meeting tent pitched in Oakland. During the preparations he was right on hand to direct, and worked very hard to have the grounds approaching the tent as presentable as possible.—Letter 352, 1906

      Advantages of a Portable Meetinghouse—I wish that you might have a portable meetinghouse. This would be much more favorable for your work than would a tent, especially in the rainy season.—Letter 376, 1906.

      The Outpost Centers

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      From Outpost Centers—It is God’s design that our people should locate outside the cities, and from these outposts warn the cities, and raise in them memorials for God. There must be a force of influence in the cities, that the message of warning shall be heard.—The Review and Herald, April 14, 1903.

      As a Barrier to Contaminating Influence—We must make wise plans to warn the cities, and at the same (p.77) time live where we can shield our children and ourselves from the contaminating and demoralizing influences so prevalent in these places.—Life Sketches, p. 410. (1915).

      Low-priced Rural Properties—We