How to Bring Men to Christ by R. A. Torrey, chapter 12, being read by Peter John Parisi, also known as Brian Dean. Some hints and suggestions. There are a few general suggestions to be made that will prove helpful to the worker. Number one, as a rule, choose persons to deal with of your own sex and about your own age. There are exceptions to this rule. One should be always looking to the Holy Spirit for His guidance as to whom to approach, and He may lead us to one of the opposite sex. But unless there is a clear guidance in the matter, it is quite commonly agreed among those who have had large experience in Christian work that men do, on the whole, most satisfactory work with men and women with women. Especially is this true of the young. Many unfortunate complications often times arise when young men try to lead young women to Christ or vice versa. Of course, an elderly motherly woman may do excellent work with a young man or boy, and an elderly fatherly man may do well work with a young woman or girl. It is not wise ordinarily for a young and inexperienced person to approach one very much older and mature and wiser than themselves on this subject. 2. Whenever it is possible, get the person with whom you are dealing alone. No one likes to open his heart freely to another on this most personal and sacred of all subjects when there are others present. Many will, from pride, defend themselves in a false position when several are present who would fully admit their error or sin or need. if they were alone with you. As a rule, it is far better for a single worker to deal with a single unconverted person than for several workers to deal with a single inquirer, or for a single worker to deal with several inquirers at once. If you have several to deal with, take them one by one. Workers often find that when they have made no headway while talking to several at once, by taking individuals off by themselves, they soon succeed in leading them one by one to Christ. 3. Let your reliance be wholly in the Spirit of God and the Word of God. 4. Do not contend yourself with merely reading passages from the Bible, much less in merely quoting them. But have the one with whom you are dealing read them himself, that the truth may find entrance into the heart through the eye as well as the ear. 5. It is oftentimes well to use but a single passage of Scripture. Drive that home and clinch it so that the one with whom you have been dealing cannot forget it, but will hear it ringing in his memory long after you have ceased talking. Dr. Spencer, once in dealing with a young man who had many difficulties, kept continuously quoting the passage, quote, Now is the acceptable time. Behold, now is the day of salvation, unquote. The young man tried to get Dr. Spencer on to something else, but over and over again he rang out the words. The next day the young man returned rejoicing in Christ and thinking the doctor that he had hammered him with that text. The words kept ringing in his ears during the night and he could not rest until he settled the matter by accepting Christ. It is a good thing when a person can point to some definite verse in the word of God and say, I know all the authority of that verse as my sins are forgiven and I am a child of God. There are times, however, when a powerful effect is produced by a piling up of passages along some line until the mind is convinced and the heart conquered. 6. Always hold the person with whom you are dealing to the main point of accepting Christ. If he wishes to discuss the claims of various denominations, or the question of baptism, or theories of future punishment, or any other question other than the central one of his need of a Savior and Christ the Savior he needs, Tell him that those questions are proper to take up in their right place and time, but the time to settle them is after he has settled the first and fundamental question of accepting or rejecting Christ. Many a case has been lost by an inexperienced worker allowing himself to be involved in the discussion of some side issue, which it is utter folly to discuss with an unregenerated person. 7. Be courteous. Many well-meaning but indiscreet Christians, by their rudeness and impertinence, we tell those who they would win to Christ. It is quite possible to be at once possibly frank and perfectly courteous. You can point out to men their awful sin and need without insulting them. Your words may be very searching, while your manner is very gentle and meaning. Indeed, the more gentle and meaning our manner is, the deeper our words will go, for they will not stir up the opposite of those with whom we deal. Some zealous workers approach those with whom they wish to deal in such a manner that the latter at once assume the defensive and clothe themselves with an armor that it is impossible to penetrate. 8. Be dead in earnest. Only the earnest man can make the unsaved man feel the truth of God's Word. It is well to love the passages that we would use with others, first sink into our own souls. I know of a very successful worker who, for a long time, used the one passage, quote, prepare to meet thy God, unquote, with everyone with whom she dealt. But that passage had taken such complete possession of her hard mind that she used it with tremendous effort. Any fact? A few passages that have mastered us are better than many passages that we have mastered from some textbook. The reader of this book is advised to ponder upon his knees some of the passages suggested in it as he decides to use until he himself feels the power. We read of Paul that he, quote, ceased not to warn everyone night and day with tears, unquote. Acts 20, verse 31. Genuine earnestness will go further. Rather than any skilled learned in a training class or from the study of such a book as this, 9. Never lose your temper when trying to lead a soul to Christ. Some persons are purposely exasperated, but even such may be won by patience, forbearance, and gentleness. They sincerely cannot be won if you lose your temper. Nothing delights them more or gives them more comforts than their sins. The more extremely irritating they are in their words and actions, the more impressed they will be if you return insults with kindness. Oftentimes, the one who has been most inseparable will come back in penitence. One of the most insulting men I have ever met afterwards became one of the most patient, persistent, and effective of workers. Number 10. Never have a heated argument with one whom you would be to Christ. This always comes from the flesh and not from the spirit. Galatians 5.20, 22, 23. It arises from pride and unwillingness to let the other person get the best of you in argument. Refuse to argue. If the one with whom you are talking has mistaken notions that must be removed before he can be led to Christ quietly and pleasantly, show him their error. If the error is not essential, refuse to discuss it and help the person to the next question. 11. Never interrupt anyone else who is dealing with the soul. You may think he is not doing it in the wisest way, but if you can do it 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 has broken in and messed up the whole work. On the other hand, do not let others, if you can help it, interrupt you. Just a little word plainly but courteously spoken will usually prevent it. Number 12. Don't be in a hurry. One of the great faults of Christian work today is haste. We are too anxious for immediate results and so do superficial work. It is very noticeable how many of those with whom Christ's doubt came out slowly. Nicodemus, Joseph, Peter, and even Paul. Though the final step in his case seems very sudden, our case is in point. It was three days even after the personal appearance of Jesus to Paul on the banks of Damascus before the letter came out into the light and openly confessed Christ. Acts chapter 22 verse 16. One man with whom Slow, but thorough work has been done, and who, at last, has been brought out clearly for Christ 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 find a truth in a man's heart and leave it to work. The seed on rocky grounds springs up quickly, but withers as quickly as it springs. Whenever it is possible and wise, get the person with whom you are dealing on his knees before God. 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 Himself. I remember talking with a young woman in an inquiry room for perhaps two hours, and making no apparent headway, but at one of the last three notes in prayer, in less than five minutes, she was rejoicing in her Savior. 14. Whenever you seem to fail in any given case, go home and pray over it and study it to see why you failed. If you have been at a loss as to what scripture to use, study that portion of this book and that describes the different classes we meet and how to deal with them and see where this case belongs and how you ought to have treated it, and go back if you can and try again. In any case, you will be better prepared next time. The greatest success in this work comes through many apparent defeats. It will be well to frequently study these hints and suggestions to see if your failures come through neglect of them. 15. Before parting from the one who has accepted Christ, be sure to give him definite instructions as to how to succeed in the Christian life, following the points that should always be insisted upon. Confess Christ with your mouth before men every opportunity you get. Romans 10 verse 9-10. Matthew 10 verse 32-33. b. Be baptized and partake regularly of the Lord's Supper. Acts 2, verse 38-42. Luke 22, verse 19. 1 Corinthians 11, verses 24-26. c. Study the word of God daily. 1 Peter 2, 2. Acts 20, 32. 2 Timothy 3, verses 13-17. Acts 17, verse 11. d. Pray daily, often and in every time of temptation. Luke 11, 9-13. Luke 22, verse 30. 1 Thessalonians 5, 17. E. Put away as of your life every sin, even the smallest, and everything you have doubts about, and obey every word of Christ. 1 John 1, verses 6-7. Romans 14, verse 23. John 14, verse 23. F. Seek the society of Christians. Ephesians 4, verses 12-16. Acts 2, 42 and 47. Hebrews 10, 24 and 25. G. Go to work for Christ. Matthew 25, verses 14-29. H. When you fall into sin, don't be discouraged, but confess it at once. Believe it is forgiven, because God says so, and get up and go on. 1 John 1, 9, Philippians 3, 13-14. It would be well to give these instructions in some permanent form to the one whom you have led to Christ. You can write them out or get a little tract called the Christian Life Card published by John C. Collins, Bureau of Supplies, New Haven, Connecticut. This contains them and some other matter. 16. When you have led anyone to Christ, follow him up and help him in the development of his Christian life. Many are led to Christ and then neglected and get on very poorly. This is a great mistake. 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 whom God used in their conversion.