We must do more than we have done to reach
the people of our cities. We are not to erect large buildings
in the cities, but over and over again the light has been given
me that we should establish in all our cities small plants which
shall be centers of influence.
The Lord has a message for our cities,
and this message we are to proclaim in our camp meetings and
by other public efforts and also through our publications. In
addition to this, hygienic restaurants are to be established
in the cities, and by them the message of temperance is to be
proclaimed. Arrangements should be made to hold meetings in connection
with our restaurants. Whenever possible, let a room be provided
where the patrons can be invited to lectures on the science of
health and Christian temperance, where they can receive instruction
on the preparation of wholesome food and on other important subjects.
In these meetings there should be prayer and singing and talks,
not only on health and temperance topics, but also on other appropriate
Bible subjects. As the people are taught how to preserve physical
health, many opportunities will be found to sow the seeds of
the gospel of the kingdom.
The subjects should be presented in such
a way as to impress the people favorably. There should be in
the meetings nothing of a theatrical nature. The singing should
not be done by a few only. All present should be encouraged to
join in the song service. There are those who have a special
gift of song, and there are times when a special message is borne
by one singing alone or by several uniting in song. But the singing
is seldom to be done by a few. The ability to sing is a talent
of influence, which God desires all to cultivate
and use to His name's glory.
Those who come to our restaurants should
be supplied with reading matter. Their attention should be called
to our literature on temperance and dietetic reform, and leaflets
treating on the lessons of Christ should also be given them.
The burden of supplying this reading matter should be shared
by all our people. All who come should be given something to
read. It may be that many will leave the tract unread, but some
among those in whose hands you place it may be searching for
light. They will read and study what you give them, and then
pass it on to others.
The workers in our restaurants should live
in such close connection with God that they will recognize the
promptings of His Spirit to talk personally about spiritual things
to such and such a one who comes to the restaurant. When self
is crucified and Christ is formed within, the hope of glory,
we shall reveal, in thought, word, and deed, the reality of our
belief in the truth. The Lord will be with us, and through us
the Holy Spirit will work to reach those who are out of Christ.
The Lord has instructed me that this is
the work to be done by those conducting our restaurants. The
pressure and rush of business must not lead to a neglect of the
work of soul saving. It is well to minister to the physical wants
of our fellow men, but if ways are not found to let the light
of the gospel shine forth to those who come day by day for their
meals, how is God glorified by our works?
When the restaurant work was started, it
was expected that it would be the means of reaching many with
the message of present truth. Has it done this?
To the workers in our restaurants the question
was asked by One in authority: "To how many have you spoken
regarding their salvation? How many have heard from your lips
earnest appeals to accept Christ as a personal Saviour? How many
have been led by your words to turn from sin to the service of
the living God?"
As in our restaurants people are supplied
with temporal food, let not the workers forget that they themselves
and those whom they serve need to be constantly supplied with
the bread of heaven. Let them watch constantly for opportunities
to speak of the truth to those who know it not.