Evangelism

In Southern Europe

Preaching and Personal Ministry in Italy—The Piedmont valleys have been spoken of. From the light that I have had, there are, all through these valleys, precious souls who will receive the truth. I have no personal knowledge of these places; but they were presented to me as being in some way connected with God's work of the past. He now has an advance step for this people to take. Ev 423.1

Those who labor in these valleys must take a deep interest in their work, or they will not succeed. The third angel is represented as flying through the midst of heaven. The work is one that must be done quickly. They must keep in working order, laboring intelligently and with consecration, and be prepared by the grace of God to meet opposition. Ev 423.2

They are not only to preach, but to minister. As they go forth to labor, they are to make personal efforts for the people, coming heart to heart with them, as they open to them the Scriptures. There may at first be only a few here and there who will accept the truth; but when these are truly converted, they will labor for others, and soon, with proper efforts, larger companies will be raised up, and the work will move forward more rapidly. Ev 423.3

There is a great work yet to be accomplished in all the fields from which we have heard reports. All through these countries there is precious talent that God will use; and we must be wide awake to secure it.—Historical Sketches of the Foreign Missions of the Seventh-day Adventists, 147 (1886). Ev 423.4

Many Will Take Their Stand for the Truth—The angel that joins the third angel is to lighten the earth with his glory. There will be many, even in these valleys (in northern Italy), where the work seems to start with such difficulty, who will recognize the voice of God speaking to them through His Word, and, coming out from under the influence of the clergy, will take their stand for God and the truth. This field is not an easy one in which to labor, nor is it one which will show immediate results; but there is an honest people here who will obey in time.—Historical Sketches of the Foreign Missions of the Seventh-day Adventists, 249 (1886). Ev 424.1

Effective Personal Work in Italy—It is not always pleasant for our brethren to live where the people need help most; but their labors would often be productive of far more good if they would do so. They ought to come close to the people, sit with them at their tables, and lodge in their humble homes. The laborers may have to take their families to places not at all desirable; but they should remember that Jesus did not remain in the most desirable places. He came down to earth that He might help those who needed help.—Historical Sketches of the Foreign Missions of the Seventh-day Adventists, 148 (1886). Ev 424.2

Unless the attention of the people is gained, all effort for them will be useless. The Word of God cannot be understood by the inattentive. They need a plain “Thus saith the Lord” to arrest their attention. Let them see that their cases are tried and condemned by the Bible, not by the lips of man; that they are arraigned at the bar of infinite justice, not before an earthly tribunal. When the plain, cutting truth of the Bible is presented before them, it comes directly across long-cherished desires and confirmed habits. They are convicted, and then it is that they specially need your counsel, encouragement, and prayer. Many a precious soul balances for a time, and then takes his position on the side of error, because he does not have this personal effort at the right time.—Historical Sketches of the Foreign Missions of the Seventh-day Adventists, 148 (1886). Ev 424.3