00-BondAJ-The Challenge of The Ministry (1919)

THE CHALLENGE OF THE MINISTRY BY A. JOHN CLARENCE BOND To the Memory of My MOTHER ELIZABETH SCHIEFEK, BOND Who early set my feet in the path that led me into the Christian Ministry

PRESS OF XHK SUN PUBLISHING ASSOCIATION AI/E-RHJD, N. V.

CONTENTS CONTENTS1 01 THE DIVINE CALL2 02 THE PRESENT CRISIS6 03 CHRISTIAN CO-OPERATION10 04 THE HOLY SABBATH14 05 THE ALLURING CITY18 06 THE OPEN COUNTRY22 07 MINISTERING WOMEN27 08 RELIGIOUS EDUCATION31 09 EFFECTIVE EVANGELISM35 10 WAITING FIELDS40

INTRODUCTION In the spring of 1919, Rev. A. J. C. Bond, pastor at Salem, “West Virginia, gave a course of six sermons and addresses at Alfred and Alfred Station, N. Y, on the vital subject, The Challenge of the Ministry. Four more were prepared later in order to make the treatment of the subject still more complete. That we, as well as other denominations, are in great need of more ministers of the gospel well prepared for their high calling, and of well trained teachers of religion, is very certain.

There are many fields of great usefulness open to young men and women who are fitted in body, mind and heart, to take up the tasks, on both home and foreign fields. There are many beckoning opportunities for social, educational and distinctly religious service. In view of such facts as these, Alfred Theological Seminary, with the help of the Board of Trustees of the Seventh Day Baptist Memorial Fund, and of others, has arranged to publish the instructive, appealing and challenging sermons and addresses of Mr. Bond, in book form. It is hoped that this will prove to be a welcomed and practical part of our great Forward Movement.

ARTHUR E. MAIN.