Revival Methods Inspired by the Holy Spirit

"The secret of his power to change a life and to connect it with heaven was an experience with God that was transparently genuine and a love that was intense and unconditional. As a result, people had to listen."

Thomas Mostert, President, Pacific Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists

Factors Present In Spirit-Driven Revivals

Not all of these factors were present at each revival, but they were often present and worthy of our consideration.

Recognize the Need, Purpose, and Way of Revival

"A revival of true godliness among us is the greatest and most urgent of all our needs. To seek this should be our first work. There must be earnest effort to obtain the blessing of the Lord, not because God is not willing to bestow his blessing upon us, but because we are unprepared to receive it. Our Heavenly Father is more willing to give his Holy Spirit to them that ask him, than are earthly parents to give good gifts to their children. But it is our work, by confession, humiliation, repentance, and earnest prayer, to fulfill the conditions upon which God has promised to grant us his blessing.”—Ellen White, Review and Herald, March 22, 1887, par. 1.

"A revival and a reformation must take place under the administration of the Holy Spirit. Revival and reformation are two different things. Revival signifies a renewal of spiritual life, a quickening of the powers of mind and heart, a resurrection from spiritual death. Reformation signifies a reorganisation, a change in ideas and feelings, habits and practices. . . . Revival and reformation are to do their appointed work, and in doing this work they must blend.''— Ellen White, Christ Our Righteousness," p. 154.

Recognize the Role of the Holy Spirit

• In Bringing Blessing

"Late in August the week began in an ordinary way. Pastor Minchin felt that there was not, in fact, the response he would hope to see. By the Tuesday night, longing for Holy Spirit power to reach his hearers, he invited anyone who would like to pray with him to meet him after the evening program. He promised to wait in the music building. To the music room came the leaders of the student movement with some others. This group prayed together, haltingly at first, then with confidence and joy. They told of their faith and what a personal God meant to their lives. A deep sense of supernatural presence began to pervade the room. At 2 a.m. some were still there, talking and praying with Len Minchin. They decided to walk, and talk further. At the gravel pit, behind the chapel, they paused, resuming Bible study and prayer. At dawn, they were still there. "I have never felt before such a spirit of prayer, surrender, and praise," testified Pastor Minchin. Those students who had spent much of the night in prayer, yet did not feel tired, agreed with conviction. One of them said, "Something is happening here..."—Marye Trim, Called to the Highest Service, [Book posted at the Adventist Archives.]

• In Directing the Timing

As both faculty members and students spoke, the hands in the round-faced clock in the chapel moved on past the time allocated to a morning chapel service. Pastor Minchin noticed the clock with some embarrassment for he realized it was time for students to be in classes. Yet many were standing, waiting to testify. Turning to his mentor, he asked, "What shall we do, Pastor Piper?" Clearly, the students heard their Principal's reply, "Pastor Minchin, we shall continue with our chapel period. We cannot programme the Holy Spirit. Classes are not important in a time like this."—Marye Trim, Called to the Highest Service, [Book posted at the adventist Archives.]

Seek To Be in the Presence of Jesus in the Hours Prior to Speaking

• Elder Minchin Would Retire to His Room

"Typical of that ministry, in late 1957, Len conducted a month-long series of revival meetings in the small, dusty desert town of Tulare in Central California. During that time he stayed in the home of a New Zealand born couple, James Haskins and his wife Millie. Gregarious by nature, Len and the family enjoyed their fellowship together with common interests in things “down-under” in the mornings, but after the midday meal Len would quietly retire to his room for prayer and study until late afternoon. He would emerge and, for an hour or so and very much withdrawn into himself, play the family’s Hammond organ. Then it was time to travel to the evening meeting, a drive taken pretty much in silence. On the journey home Len would be tired but open to some limited, quiet conversation. By the next morning he would revert to his normal, cheerful self. That month powerfully influenced the family he was staying with, as well as the cluster of churches around Tulare."—Lester Divine, "A Great Revival," Record Rewind, October 20, 2018.

• He Sought to Obtain His Sermon Warm From Glory

"Here is the secret of communicating the Gospel to the hearts of men. We must get our message warm from Glory. It must not be a stale message or experience that we offer to our people. It must be new every day. Our own hearts must be gladdened and warmed by its power. The love of Christ must glow afresh in our hearts every day. As we spend time in secret before God and before His word, we will catch visions of Heavenly glory. Our hearts will be warmed and tendered, and our love for souls will grow stronger. This is the experience that we ministers need."—E. L Minchin, "Consider Him," Sermon delivered in Syracuse, NY in 1967.

"I saw that the Spirit of the Lord has been dying away from the church. The servants of the Lord have trusted too much to the strength of argument, and have not had that firm reliance upon God which they should have. I saw that the mere argument of the truth will not move souls to take a stand with the remnant; for the truth is unpopular. The servants of God must have the truth in the soul. Said the angel: “They must get it warm from glory, carry it in their bosoms, and pour it out in the warmth and earnestness of the soul to those that hear.” A few that are conscientious are ready to decide from the weight of evidence; but it is impossible to move many with a mere theory of the truth. There must be a power to attend the truth, a living testimony to move them." Ellen White, Testimonies, Vol. 1, 113.2.

• He Sought to Glow

"The youth may be a power for Christ, if they will maintain their simplicity, and not seek to present something startling, something original, but teach the precepts of their Lord. But to invest the simplest truths with novelty and singularity, is to rob them of their power to win souls to Christ. . . . What you need is a living experience in the things of God, and simplicity in presenting the love of Christ to the lost. . . . When the heart is aglow with the love of Jesus, you will express it to others, and become witnesses for Christ."—Ellen G. White, The Youth's Instructor, May 4, 1893 .

Bathe the Proceedings in Prayer

• Bathe the Proceedings in Prayer in In Preparing For the Meetings, including Searching the Heart and Making Things Right.

"From the first, there was a reaching out after God, and a spirit of deep heart-searching. Wrongs were made right, while the youth and the aged drew near to God and to one another."—E. L Minchin, "Times of Refreshing, Australasian Conference Union Record, July 19, 1937.

• Bathe the Proceedings in Prayer in Seeking Spiritual Breakthroughs

"The break came on the Tuesday evening, when a number of the young men and women belonging to the Prayer Fellowship League met for prayer, and while praying, the spirit of confession and repentance took hold of this company, which numbered about eighty. It was a wonderful meeting that went on for several hours. Then from that circle it spread, and the young men began to have a burden for their fellows; and the hearts of the young women went out to their fellow girl students, and by the next morning it was very evident that a new order of things had set in."—A. H. Piper, "Splendid News From Avondale," Australasian Union Conference Record, July 17, 1939.

"Late in August, the week began in an ordinary way. Pastor Minchin felt that there was not, in fact, the response he would hope to see. By the Tuesday night, longing for Holy Spirit power to reach his hearers, he invited anyone who would like to pray with him to meet him after the evening program. He promised to wait in the music building. To the music room came the leaders of the student movement with some others. This group prayed together, haltingly at first, then with confidence and joy. They told of their faith and what a personal God meant to their lives. A deep sense of supernatural presence began to pervade the room. At 2 a.m. some were still there, talking and praying with Len Minchin. They decided to walk, and talk further. At the gravel pit, behind the chapel, they paused, resuming Bible study and prayer. At dawn, they were still there. "I have never felt before such a spirit of prayer, surrender, and praise," testified Pastor Minchin. Those students who had spent much of the night in prayer, yet did not feel tired, agreed with conviction. One of them said, "Something is happening here..."—Marye Trim, Called to the Highest Service, [Book posted at the adventist Archives.]

• Bathe the Proceedings in Prayer in Maintaining the Meetings

"On Sabbath morning, over fifty students met in the science room at 6:45 for special prayer and intercession. This earnest group meets at regular intervals during the school year, and is doing a powerful work in moulding the spiritual life of the college. One could feel the unity and the power of the Spirit's presence that morning. It was good to be there. When some thoughts had been presented on how to secure divine power, requests for prayer were made. After each request, someone led in intercessory prayer for that particular need. May the Lord lead these young people to greater spiritual triumphs. Who can foretell the results of such a work as this?"—E. L. Minchin, Australasian Union Conference Record, November 22, 1937.

"The spirit of prayer permeated Elder Minchin's appeal. Workers and others were invited to prayer meetings held as a characteristic feature of the revival program a half hour before the main meeting. After-meetings again stressed prayer as the solution to one's problems. Those who sought help in the personal ministry of Elder Minchin were led to seek the answer to their needs through prayer."—May June 1965, Middle East Messenger.

• Bathe the Proceedings in Prayer in Seeking God's Blessings on Those Responding

"The weekend at Hamilton (NZ) was one of the most blessed of the tour. Revival was expected, and God did not disappoint. Each morning at 6.30 for a week, a company, mainly of our young people, sought the Lord for revival and for the conversion of souls. After the Friday evening meeting, this revival band expressed a desire to continue in prayer through the night. Some stayed till midnight, others came from twelve till three, and still others from three to six. The time was spent in seasons of prayer and the reading of the promises of the Word. Some may cry, "Fanaticism!" Let us beware lest we despise the workings of God's Spirit. There was nothing of fanaticism, but a genuine, earnest, reaching out to God for His power and blessing."—E. L. Minchin, "Times of Refreshing in New Zealand, Australasian Union Conference Record, July 19, 1937.

• Bathe the Proceedings in Prayer in Maintaining the Blessings After the Meetings Conclude

Meetings in which the Spirit greatly blessed the proceedings were invariably "watered" with much prayer, including preliminary prayers. ongoing daily prayers, continuing prayers following each evening's meetings, and after the meetings.

Mobilize the Church

"What a joy it was to meet with nearly 80 leaders and their assistants before and during the meetings and to see the burden of souls resting upon them. Never before have I been privileged to associate with a whole church mobilized to soul-winning visitation during a revival effort. Night after night as I watched our members bringing their non-Adventist friends to the meetings, my heart was stirred." I personally had the privilege of visiting a number of homes with Elder Keymer. I think of one man and his wife who had once been closely associated with our conference. They had been separated from the church for over fifteen years. Only once during those fifteen years had a representative of the church visited them. Tears were in the eyes of the wife as she told how she thought the church had forgotten them. Although they have had a very sad experience, I believe this expression of interest and warm regard must have a lasting effect upon their hearts. In addition to the program of visitation, the purpose of the week was to revive the hearts of those who are in the church." Great victories were won during the week."—"What Happened in Battle Creek," Lake Union Herald, June 12, 1956

Organize Friendship Circles

The following comes from "What Happened in Battle Creek," Lake Union Herald, June 12, 1956

"Outstanding among the impressions of our meeting in Battle Creek was the work of the friendship circle, which will be a permanent feature of the Battle Creek church program."

"Friendship teams for the visiting program were organized within the membership of the church. A large map of Battle Creek was used to note the location of each member of the church. The member's homes were marked by a numbered tack placed on the map. The map was then divided up into 38 sections, placing about 15-20 Adventist homes in each section. The sections were called Friendship Circles and were to unite as a group to become better acquainted with each other and to work as teams for those who were former members or for interested friends. A leader and an assistant were chosen for each circle. These leaders first enlisted each member within the circle into a friendship team. The leaders then obtained from the chairman of the friendship circles the names of people living within their section who needed visit- ing. The teams took these names and visited these people in a friendly way, reviving a brotherly interest in their welfare and letting them know that God cared for them, and that the church desired to help them. They were invited to attend the meetings during the week. These contacts proved to be a great blessing to the ones visited as well as to the visitors themselves. Nearly 900 names were on the visiting list and most of these were contacted. In addition to the laymen visiting, the ten ministers present for the meetings or- organized into friendship teams also and they visited every day throughout the week. The visiting program brought a wonderful spirit into our week for all were busy working for others and it proved to be a great blessing to the members of the church."

"One of our workers approached the door of a home where the general information on the card went something like this: "once a member, no longer attends, reason unknown." After a short prayer, a knock at the door and a deep breath, the door opened. A small child peered out and said, "My Mommy is busy; she wants to know what you want." "Well, tell your Mommy that I'm not a salesman, and I'm not selling anything, but I've come to give her something that she will like and so will you and all the rest of the family." Mommy appeared a moment later looking somewhat skeptical, but almost immediately broke into a smile. "Oh, I recognize you," she said. "You're from the tabernacle. I saw you at the meeting last night. Won't you come in?" This woman had lost her way, but because a number had shown an interest in her and had invited her to come to the meetings, she had made up her mind that she would try one. After this first meeting, her heart was softened and she said she was not going to miss any of the rest of them if she could help it."—M. Brockett, "What Happened in Battle Creek," Lake Union Herald, June 12, 1956

Include Young People in the Meeting

"The academy students participated in every program, some ushering, some singing in the youth choir, some playing in the orchestra, and others bringing friends. Two young ladies even skipped the school picnic in order to go calling on lost souls."—M. Brockett, "What Happened in Battle Creek," Lake Union Herald, June 12, 1956.

"There were many details in connection with such a meeting with which the young people assisted. Committee work, ushering, floral decoration, publicity, advertising, and child care were all organized with the able assistance of Pastors Loveless and Hansen. A wonderful spirit of cooperation was evinced in all the churches of the district from beginning to end, bringing the blessing of God very near."—John Hancock, "Their Joy Was Full," Youth's Instructor, October 9, 1956.

Select Encouraging Theme Songs and Other Choruses to Use During the Meetings

"A feature not to be forgotten by those present at these meetings was the singing of several beautiful, specially selected choruses. The singing of "My Jesus, I Love Thee, I Love Thee, I Do," "Every Day With Jesus Is Sweeter than the Day Before," and "Coming Some Day" thrilled us through and through."—E. L Minchin, "Young People's Week in Avondale," Australasian Union Church Record, November 22, 1937.

"The theme song, 'A Heart Like Thine,' was often used in services, as well as 'Christ is the Answer.' The Spirit used the music in a mighty way to encourage responses and to bind attendees to Christ in their new, or renewed, relationships with the Savior.

Carefully Select Appropriate Topics

• The Avondale Revival in 1937

Morning Topics
"The Power We Need," "Sin in the Light of the Cross," "How to Overcome Temptation," "Love and the Cross."

Evening Topics
"Evening worship periods were devoted to a series of heart-to-heart talks to the young men and young women in their halls, on 'Honourable Manhood' and 'Beautiful Girlhood.'"

Friday Evening
"The practical application of Matt. 7: 21-23, and 1 Cor. 13: 4-8 was considered, pointing out that many are expecting to be saved because of their diligence in church work, but their religion is legal and loveless. They have not the spirit of love, kindness, and tender sympathy, and to them the Lord will say, 'I know you not.'"—E. L Minchin, "Young People's Week in Avondale," Australasian Union Church Record, November 22, 1937.

• North London's Youth For Christ Week

"It is time to seek the Lord!" declared Brother Minchin in the first session, and he reminded us solemnly that we were "sitting down in Holloway when we ought to be sitting down in heaven!" Christ's coming was delayed because His remnant people are unready!

"Following Sunday's subject, "Pitching Toward Sodom," the speaker got down to practical application by explaining clearly and intelligently how vital a step is "Conversion." It was one thing to say our prayers, but another thing to pray!
Satan always provides counterfeits to God's provisions for the youth.

"Brother Minchin next exposed, in a disturbing indictment, two tendencies of the modern: "Worldly Amusements,— unrealistic values and suggestions of evil. Christian recreation, by contrast, fitted for service.

"The question, "What shall I do with love and marriage?" could hardly have been approached more tactfully, positively, and psychologically sound.

"One of the surest ways of "Overcoming Temptation" is to refuse, by God's help, to debate or consider sinful indulgence.

"On Friday, Brother Minchin "brought home" (in more senses than one) the "Reality of Heaven." How fleeting and worthless is this little span of time, where we are "strangers and pilgrims."

"Many fervent prayers were answered when, on the closing Sabbath, God bestowed great blessings on all sincere seekers who craved "Rivers of Living Water." Are we merely defending Christianity, or adorning it? Christ's grace alone can produce in His people the fruit of the Spirit. From three o'clock, yes, almost until six o'clock, there was a grand praise meeting. Many youth crowded onto the platform, and though confessing their unworthiness, determined by divine grace, to "strive earnestly for identity with the Redeemer."— D. Sage, "Christ is the Answer," British Advent Messenger, November 7, 1947.

Remember God Blesses Humble Instruments

"When God finds truly humble and dedicated instruments who are willing to pay the price that a truly spiritual ministry demands, He has mighty weapons in His hand for the breaking down of strongholds and the establishing of His kingdom in the hearts of men. The greatest preparation for any revival must take place in the hearts of the instruments God will use. It is the preacher's inner life that matters most, and largely determines the success or failure of any revival. It is not his education, his culture, or his organizing ability, important as they may be. If he is a born-again servant of God, and has a passionate love for Christ; if he has a tender and understanding heart in his dealing with souls, and a growing love for and familiarity with the Word of God; if he is an unworldly man whom the people know comes to his task from the higher levels of fellowship and communion with God, a vitalizing power will attend his ministry. If he does not have this, his ministry becomes mediocre and ineffective. Successful ministry is costly. It is a spiritual work. Find a man who will diligently cultivate his own soul and you will have an instrument of power. Otherwise, we merely preach but we do not woo. We talk, but nothing happens. We pass multitudes of resolutions, but nobody quakes. There is no vital movement toward God. The simple fact is this: when for any reason we become separated from the God we vowed to serve, we cease to become effective channels of His grace to His people. Then let the fire fall. Let the cleansing, energizing power of the Holy Spirit take possession of us. Let Jesus Christ and His will become the passion of our lives. Let self-glory vanish and the blessing will come, and the fires of true revival will be kindled in every land."—E. L Minchin, "Revival and the Responsibility of the Ministry," Ministry Magazine, March 1, 1959.

Speak in the Power of the Spirit

"The disciples were told that they would receive power only "after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you." Neither can we receive God's power in any other way. Yes, this is what the disciples needed. Not more knowledge, but more power. That is our need. They tarried in the upper room and for ten days they prayed, searched their hearts, made wrongs right, and came into a new relationship with one another. They came to an end of self, of sin, and of self-seeking.

"They were "all with one accord in one place." O that this could be true of us here at the youth congress! We are certainly all in one place. Are we here with one accord, one sole Master, one sole purpose, one absorbing passion? If so, we too may experience an infilling of spiritual power such as we have never known before, and this city and our homes and our churches and our nation would feel the impact and say as they did in Jerusalem, "What meaneth this?"

"What glorious results came at Pentecost! "With great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection . . . ; and great grace was upon them all." (Acts 4:33). "And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people" (Acts 5:12). The servant of God graphically described the mighty power of God at that time. "The sword of the Spirit, newly edged with power and bathed in the lightnings of heaven, cut its way through unbelief.—E. L Minchin, "Newly Edged With Power, The Youth's Instructor, October 11, 1960.

Share Your Personal Testimony

"On Friday evening, after a soul-stirring singspiration, I (Michael Stevenson) knew that the sermon presentation I had planned was not appropriate and immediately thought of the instruction:
'Strive to arouse men and women from their spiritual insensibility. Tell them how you found Jesus, and how blessed you have been since you gained an experience in His service. Tell them what blessing comes to you as you sit at the feet of Jesus, and learn precious lessons from His Word. Tell them of the gladness and joy that there is in the Christian life. Your warm, fervent words will convince them that you have found the pearl of great price. . . . As it is done, many will awake as from a dream.'"—Michael Stevenson, "Revival Fires on Campus" [Andrews Revival in 1970], Ministry Magazine, February, 1971.

Call For Decisions

• Appeal For Complete Renunciation of Sin and Receiving of the Privileges in Christ

"The Thursday and Friday evening meetings prepared the way for the consecration service on the Sabbath. In response to a definite challenge and appeal for complete renunciation of all sin, and a fuller acceptance of our privileges in Christ, over eleven hundred of our youth and church members came to the Lord in repentance and confession of sin."—E. L. Minchin, "Times of Refreshing, E. L. Minchin, Australasian Conference Union Record, July 19, 1937.

• Call For Holiness

"Holiness is a science far deeper, greater, and more profound than any other. Those who truly belong to the Lord and are preparing for translation will make it their supreme study. Many need an experience much higher, deeper, broader, than they have ever thought of. They seem satisfied with their present standing before God, and know little of what it means to behold His glory. To such He calls, " 'Come up higher. Be holy, holier still.' "—The Ministry of Healing, p. 503. It would be well for many Seventh-day Adventist Christians to reflect on the following message from God's servant: "The ethics inculcated by the gospel acknowledge no standard but the perfection of God's mind, God's will. All righteous attributes of character dwell in God as a perfect, harmonious whole. Everyone who receives Christ as his personal Saviour is privileged to possess these attributes. This is the science of holiness."— Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 7, p. 276. ... Real holiness is winsome. Therefore, far from repelling us, it fascinates, awes, and subdues. There is something within us that recognizes and responds to the holy even though we cannot define it. ... What is a saint? A saint is one who has been made holy by the regenerating, cleansing presence of the Holy Spirit. Holiness is the life of God begotten in us by the Holy Spirit. It brings us into entire conformity to His will and reproduces His own perfect character within us. It is the imparted and imputed righteousness of Jesus Christ our Saviour. It is the glorious provision whereby the guilty sinner may find pardon, reconciliation, and restoration, full and complete. "Holiness is wholeness for God; it is the entire surrender of heart and life to the indwelling of the principles of heaven."—Desire of Ages, p. 556.—E. L. Minchin, "The Sabbath a Sign of Holiness," Review and Herald, September 17, 1959.

"Such holiness is winsome, for it spells the holy calm of God mirrored in the face, the holy quietness of God manifested in the voice, the holy graciousness of God expressed in the manner, and the holy fragrance of God emanating from the whole life." Ruth Paxton, Life on the Highest Plane, p. 215—Quote by E. L. Minchin, "The Fragrance of Christ," Review and Herald, September 24, 1959.

• Appeal For Separation From the Things of This World

• Warn of the Danger of Worldliness

"On Friday the good work continued. In the chapel exercise, our thoughts were led along the line of refusing to be guided by the spirit of the world, and while very little was said about it, students began to leave the chapel and to bring in trashy literature, novels, jazz music, and other things of a worldly nature; and very soon the table was too small to hold the contents. A thorough work was taking place, for they were cleaning up and making their rooms fit places for the presence of God's Spirit. When the lesson periods for Friday were finished, there was a burning of the trashy, light rubbish of literature and cheap jazz music, and everything else that did not conform to the high standard in which the Adventist people believe.—A. H. Piper, "Splendid News From Avondale," Australasian Union Conference Record, July 17, 1939.

• Call For Reflecting Christ in Dress

"'A person's manner of dress is an index to his character. If the heart is worldly, the dress will show it. If the heart is right, the dress will be right. "If the heart is right, your words, your dress, your acts will all be right.'—Messages to Young People, p. 131. When our hearts are possessed by the meek and lowly Saviour we shall long to bear His image and to reveal the beauty of His character."—E. L. Minchin, "If the Heart Is Right . . .," Review and Herald, September 10, 1959.

• Clearly Communicate God's Prohibition Against Mixed Marriages

"Our people are not ignorant concerning God's expressed will for His people in regard to marriage, and especially His attitude toward marriage with nonbelievers. His command is positive and unequivocal. "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers" (2 Cor. 6:14). ... Parents and leaders of youth have a solemn responsibility to impress upon their children as they become of age that God forbids marriage with unbelievers. What we need is an experience with Christ, and an infilling of His Spirit that will enable us to do God's holy will at all costs."—E. L. Minchin, "If the Heart Is Right . . .," Review and Herald, September 10, 1959.

• Lift Up the Sabbath

"The Sabbath, we are told, will be the last great test of loyalty to God. His people will by their lives and by their reverence of His holy day make a clear distinction between the sacred and the common. The whole of God's day will be given to Him."

• Call For the Revelation of Christ in the Life

"Let us reveal in our lives the fragrance of His character. Be fragrant in your words. ... Let us be as fragrant as flowers. Let the love of Christ pervade your lives. . . . This is the work the Lord wants us to do."—General Conference Bulletin, 1901, p. 37. This revelation of Christ as our righteousness not merely as a theory but as an experience in the lives of His people, will surely bring the loud cry of the third angel whose glory will lighten the whole earth."—E. L. Minchin, "The Fragrance of Christ," Review and Herald, September 24, 1959.

• Call For An Unreserved, Complete Surrender

"This has ever been the reason for the failure of the church: surrendering to the spirit and the practices and the ways of this world, walking in their own counsels, and refusing to go in the way that God has commanded. The church has had victory only when surrendered to God and doing His will." ... It would be well for us to remember that every failure of God's people in the past has been produced by yield- ing to the spirit of compromise, and by walking in the way of their own counsels. We can never succeed in our task if we follow the same course. We must be separate from the ways and the spirit of this world. "Come out from among them, and be ye separate" (2 Cor. 6:17) is God's word to His remnant church today in this final hour of earth's history.—E. L. Minchin, "Lessons From the Past," Review and Herald, August 27, 1959.

• Another Appeal For Complete and Unreserved Surrender

"From the beginning to the end of the week of prayer, Elder E. L. Minchin made one single, direct appeal: "Come nearer to God. Give Him first place in your life. You cannot live independently. If you do not keep yourself under the direct control of God, you will inevitably come under the power of Satan's temptations to ambition, indulgence, or display, and be enslaved by the enemy. There is real freedom for you. It is found only in daily choosing to walk with Jesus, and in constantly relying upon Him."—Helderberg, South Africa

Leave Room and Time For the Holy Spirit to Work

• In Convicting Attendees to Confess and Make Things Right

"Pastor E. L. Minchin was leading the chapel exercise. The time had come to cease, but we could not stop the meeting—it went on, the first period, the second period, the third period of classes, and it was not until the whole morning had passed that the meeting ceased. And what a meeting it was! Students were on their feet confessing their wrongs and asking the forgiveness of teachers and fellow students. All through the day we realized that God had wonderfully blessed, and as we sought the Lord again that Wednesday evening, He came near to us with further showers of grace. Confessions were again the experience of many. Students began to come into my office, asking forgiveness for having broken this rule, for infringing another, and for having done other things that were unbecoming of Christian young people. And so Thursday passed."—A. H. Piper, "Splendid News From Avondale," Australasian Union Conference Record, July 17, 1939.

"Next morning Pastor Minchin delivered the talk he had prepared on "The Spirit-filled Life." In a pause that followed, one of the students stood up and said he wanted to apologise publicly to a teacher for the wrong attitude he had shown all year. The teacher stood and replied with feeling that he was largely to blame; that he wanted the student to forgive him. He added that he longed for the sort of experience that Pastor Minchin had described in his talk. These unprogrammed episodes motivated others to speak in confession and repentance. Others stood and praised God for His leading in their lives, for the assurance of His guidance in the future and the certainty of sins forgiven as they trusted in Jesus. As both faculty members and students spoke, the hands on the round-faced clock in the chapel moved on past the time allocated to a morning chapel service. Pastor Minchin noticed the clock with some embarrassment, for he realized it was time for students to be in classes. Yet many were standing, waiting to testify. Turning to his mentor, he asked, "What shall we do, Pastor Piper?" Clearly, the students heard their Principal's reply, "Pastor Minchin, we shall continue with our chapel period. We cannot programme the Holy Spirit. Classes are not important in a time like this."
The meeting resumed. Sometimes a student walked out. Then a friend would follow to pray with that person, and they would return together to say that they wanted Jesus and His power in their lives. This happened over and over again as the hour hand on the clock continued to advance. Past the regular time for lunch, the students stood with bowed heads for a closing prayer to that amazing experience."—Marye Trim, Called to the Highest Service, [Book posted at the Adventist Archives.]

Provide Time For Praise

"In the afternoon of the last Sabbath, a final praise service was to take place. We thought to meet a little earlier than usual, and so gathered together at 2:30. We little realized, however, that the congregation would remain until almost 9 p.m., praising the Lord for His goodness. Again, the spirit of confession took possession of the meeting, and further young people gave their hearts to God. It was soon evident that many of those who had received a refreshing were working for others, and it was marvellous, even at the last praise service, how many found relief from condemnation and rose to thank the Lord for His goodness. One father, with tears in his voice, said that this week had seen the conversion of four of his children, and he was so wonderfully happy. Many like testimonies were given."—E. L. Minchin, "Blessed Are Your Eyes," Australasian Union Conference Record, July 17, 1939.