EQUIPMENT AND APPROACH
We need very little impedimenta. A Bible we must have, small and ordinary. The exceptionally fine volumes some of us possess might present an appearance of ostentation to those who are not used to us. A small selection of leaflets (dealing with some aspect of the subject, if we are introducing a lecture) of a " first principle " character and with a positive message, completes the material we need to show. A notebook for the pocket is most necessary, and those of us who have ignored this, and trusted to memory or a spare lecture-bill (which is therefore wasted) to record the interest of those we meet, would have to confess to many a name lost through this slipshod method. More ambitious literature for the stranger we do not need to carry: its appearance is too formidable, its too ready dissemination is wasteful; and not to have it with us is an excellent reason for calling again.

When we go to the door, let the humility and friendliness of Jesus be seen in his emissaries. Let us greet the householder with a smile and a cheerful " Good evening." Let us not be in too big a hurry to embark on a long soliloquy about the purpose of our visit, eager though we should be not to waste time. The householder may be gardening (from experience an occupation excellently conducive to good-hum-jured conversation), or the housewife nursing the baby ((experience is more divided here; so much depends on the baby), and a minute spent on their special interests may not be wasted. The friendly atmosphere which may be produced ' can only help to goodwill toward our mission.

But if there is no such opportunity and the interview seems likely to be short, let our approach be one which will make immediately obvious the character of our visit. We know that the big majority of people are not prepared to give us the opportunity for a long talk, and we should wish to leave them with at least an outline of our message. Let the words " Bible " and " Christadelphian " appear, so that at least, when they meet the latter word again in public notices, they may be reminded of the person who once called at their doors and perhaps be moved to consider again what they rejected then. Moreover, an early mention of the word " Bible " has the advantage of revealing very quickly whether there is likely to be interest in what would follow.

We might begin then with, " Good evening. Have you seen about the Bible meetings which we are holding in Bruddersfax this week? " or, " I'm sorry to disturb you, but I would like to interest you in some very important meetings which have been specially arranged, about the Bible," or, " Are you interested in the Bible in this house ? If so, . . ." If a notice of impending meetings has already been delivered, a starting off point is provided at once, though it should be remembered that the answer to the question, " Have you received one of these cards? " is frequently " No," when we know it ought to be " Yes." This, of course, provides the opportunity for, " Of course, I know how easy it is to throw away advertising cards, and you wouldn't know this was anything special. That is why I wanted to bring it to your attention." All these are possible approaches, but there are many more. Do not accept any of them as your routine method, and do not even cling for too long to one which you adopt for yourself. Especially for those who find the work exacting, it is most important to guard against sameness.

When we have an opportunity to pursue the conversation, some of the following points may prove useful guides: -

(1) We are not preaching a new doctrine, but reviving the earliest Christian faith. This needs emphasis because of the existence of so many " new-fangled sects," and because, of course, the early Christians were not called Christadelphians.
(2) The Bible is the basis of our faith, and for us its authority is final. Unless it is questioned, let us assume that authority, and regard " The Bible teaches " as decisive. A great many people will accept that basis.
(3) Most people have only the slenderest acquaintance with the Bible, and will be aghast if we present the Gospel as a long list of doctrines to be received. Besides, as chapter Two has suggested, the Gospel is not like that, and " the power of God to salvation to every one that believeth " is the matter to be emphasised.
(4) Because of this slender acquaintance, a broad exhortation to " Read the Bible " is likely to be very perplexing, and with many people a Bible Companion, excellent as it is, may not remedy matters. (The time of year is such an important factor, and nothing is more discouraging than to begin a first adventure into the Book at First Chronicles.) We ought to be able to present some reading suggestions, therefore, and some ideas are put forward to this end later in this chapter.
(5) We ought not to be in too big a hurry to correct every little error the stranger may make. If we establish a basic truth and stimulate his interest, that is an excellent start, and in the development of that interest the little errors will find their answer. If we gain a reputation for contentiousness we shall do our cause no good.
(6) If the choice of topic is left to us, let us talk about something which intimately concerns the person we are with: the plan of salvation, not as concerns " mankind," but as concerns Mr. or Mrs. Smith before us; the forgiveness of sins through faith and repentance and baptism, and the hope of eternal life at the Coming of Jesus.
(7) The return of Jesus is a particularly valuable topic. It lends itself to simple and conclusive demonstration, 4 and its significance is so personal.
(8) The coming of the kingdom of God at his return is an excellent topic also, with good prophetic grounds for showing its certainty.5 But remember that this kingdom is only certainly a " good time coming " to the saints, and guard against lulling into false hopes and a " wait and see " evasion. It is well to remember that the coming of Jesus is a time of fear to the godless, as it was in the days of Noah, 6 and that, though it is no part of our duty to intimidate, there is a proper place for warning.7
(9) Signs of the near fulfilment of God's purpose in the coming of Jesus may arise easily from the stranger's interest in current events, and can be well linked with the long-term purpose of God (as with the Jews, introducing the miracle of their survival) to show the way to its culmination. But beware of a mere appeal to curiosity about the future.

One useful discipline in our appeal is to ask ourselves constantly, " What should I think if I were approached in this way? " Approaches must differ with what we judge to be the state of mind of the person we address, but it is possible (for example) to press the invitation to meetings with too much enthusiasm and too little tact, and create a reaction against coming. The method should be rather, " I don't want you to promise me, but I do -hope you will try to come "; or, " If you should make the effort to come, I am sure you will never regret it."

In these days when so many people (including religious colporteurs) stop at doorways to sell articles which the housewife only doubtfully wants, it is not amiss to point out that our work and our leaflets are free of all cost, nor is it improper that the stranger should be impressed, as he often is, with the fact that we ourselves are unpaid volunteers in ministering the Gospel during our holidays or free time. The perspective should be, of course, that men should come to see the great value we attach to our priceless pearl, and come to glorify our Father which is in heaven; not that they should congratulate us upon a self-sacrifice which we have no right to parade, and which, as the work grows upon us, we in any case cease to feel. The world is, however, a mercenary place, and if, without doing our righteousness before men, 8 we can disarm the suspicion that our object is monetary, we are doing the Gospel a service.

To be accounted successful, our interview must be a true discussion. With our relatively much greater Bible learning we could easily shout down most objections were we so disposed, but it is worse than useless. The stranger must have his part, even if it is only to ask a simple question, or to say, " Yes, I see that." Leading questions or suggestions can be useful, such as: "I don't know to what denomination you belong, but can you tell me whether your minister ever tells you that Jesus is coming back bodily? ' Or again (to those who are hesitant), " There are some people who think we oughtn't to talk about our religion, but surely they are wrong, otherwise however should we get to know the truth? " Or (to bring out the value of Bible reading), " I am sure you have a Bible in the house. Have you ever noticed what it says about Jesus coming back to raise the dead? " As a last example, introducing a matter which will be topical enough for a long time to come, " We have seen two devastating wars in half a lifetime. Do you think we shall ever be able to stop them? "-leading on through James's penetrating analysis9 to the obvious conclusion.

This raises, incidentally, the question of our attitude to war. At the time this is written, many people will mentally reproach those who are conscientious objectors for their attitude, and though we have been singularly free from the effects of bitterness, we must decide what our attitude is to be towards disclosing our position. We ought to realize, first, that we are preaching the Gospel, and not pacifism, and second, that there is no need whatever to be ashamed of following Jesus's teaching. If the matter is raised, therefore, let us regard it as an opportunity to present the teaching of Jesus on the standing of his disciples, beginning from that challenge. There is a very clear line to the essentials of the Gospel from our attitude to the State.10