MILDMAY MISSION

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 77, 12 August 1942, Page 2

MILDMAY MISSION

ADDRESS ON “PERSONAL EVANGELISM” The Bishop of Nelson (the Rt. Rev.;, P. W. Stephenson) presided last ing at a meeting in the Marsden v Church Hall, when Mr A. Williams,' evangelist of the Mildmay movement,; delivered an inspiring address on “Per--sonal Evangelism.” Basing his argument on Christ’s com-j, mission to his disciples, “Ye shall be my witnesses,” the speaker pointed outthat a witness may speak only of mat-" ters within his own knowledge and ex.; perience, and is ffound by the strict** law of truth. Christians were there-* fore directed to bear witness to God’s* power in their own lives, and it was sometimes wise to confine personal *■ evangelism to that alone. In order to~ be effective as a witness the Christian** m’~t strive with the apostle Paul to * have “a conscience void of offence to-; ward God and man.” That implied complete loyalty to God and blamelessconduct toward his fellow men. There followed a highly practical discourse on the method of personal evangelism, amply illustrated by anecdotes drawn from the speaker’s wide experience. The first essential was contact, a common interest which may be used as a starting point for convert sation which will lead to discussion o£' the claims of Christ on the individual If these were recognised, there would follow sooner or later the second necessary step, conviction, in which the subject became aware of his sin and the necessity for a Saviour. That should be followed by conversion, a turning in “repentance to God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.” an action which must be done by the individual himself. There remained the last step, confession, in which a belief in Christ was openly acknowledged, by which action the believer was greatly strengthened and confirmed in his faith. The Bishop pointed out that the New Testament word for “witness” also meant “martyr,” and he referred to the long and glorious procession of Christian martyrs, from Stephen, the first, to Pastor Niemoller, one of the latest. An audience of over 200 heard Mr Williams and regret was felt that his short stay in Nelson would conclude with the meeting this evening, when the subject will be the famous motto of the Boy Scout Association, “Be prepared.”