The Assembly of God. Miscellaneous Writings of C. H. Mackintosh, vol. IIIMackintosh, Charles Henry
Religion
The Assembly of God. Miscellaneous Writings of C. H. Mackintosh, vol. III
Mackintosh, Charles Henry
Theology
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 amongst 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! 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, as a necessary consequence, of active co-operation with
him in his work. Further, there is a mode of speaking of gospel
preaching which argues but little sympathy with the heart of Him who
wept over impenitent sinners, and who could say, at the very opening of
His blessed ministry, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He
hath anointed Me _to preach the gospel to the poor_" (Isa. lxi.; Luke
iv.). And again, "Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there
also: for therefore came I forth" (Mark i. 38).
Our blessed Lord was an indefatigable 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 immortal 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 dear servants who are seeking to
make known the unsearchable riches of Christ.
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