"No encouragement should be given to one man to lead and carry on a series alone. This has plainly been set before me [that it] should not be. The Lord is not in the plan."
Something that is apparently little known, is Ellen White's call for evangelistic meetings to feature more than one speaker. In fact if there were large numbers of attendees, she said as many as three or four people should be speaking to effectively carry the crowd as you will see in the quotations that follow.
"One thing I must advise our brethren, for light has been given me of the Lord that no encouragement should be given to one man to lead and carry on a series alone. This has plainly been set before me [that it] should not be. The Lord is not in the plan. As many [as] three should be selected to carry the religious interest in any place. And if the larger numbers are in any one place, then the gatherings demand more speakers. One man’s talent is not sufficient. Various subjects must come to the people, and therefore the family plan of conducting meetings that was entered into by Elder Franke must never be permitted again, because that family carried things in certain lines strongly. It is not wisdom, for the Lord’s plan is not followed. And the linking up of even four together in a large meeting would be better than less, because the Lord works different minds. {Ms 67, 1910, par. 36}
"Wherever an interest is started, the Lord in His providence will bring different gifts in connection with the one or two who are bringing the truth before the people. Let not the laborer be fearful that because a new laborer is introduced to the people, the interest will be interrupted and the work in which they are engaged will be marred. Keep your hands off the ark; God will take care of His work. Additional light will flash forth from the men who are sent of God, who are laborers together with God, and the original workers should receive God’s messengers cordially, treat them respectfully, and invite them to unite with them and speak to the people."
But wherever it is possible, two and two to associate in the work is the Saviour’s plan. When He sent His disciples, two and two were connected together. And the Lord would not have one man’s mind and one man’s judgment take the responsibility, because it is not the Lord’s plan. Neither would He have a whole family go into any place and carry forward the responsibilities of the work, because there would need to be other talents. And it is the Lord’s plan to work with a variety of minds, and let the Lord’s name be glorified in the two or three or five not of the same family, but of the Lord’s family. Never consent to accept one man’s labor to bear the responsibilities of the series of meetings. The Lord’s plan is two and two, and He understands [that] a more healthful current would circulate through the congregation, and the wearied brain of one man is not wholesome or sanctifying when others can be obtained. Another evil is to be guarded—that the presentation of truth should be in a dignified manner; no theatrical gestures or expressions. Everything should be represented in correct manner. This is the great purpose for which Christ came to our world—to give to our world a pattern, and secure to Himself a people in the world who would work out His plans and His will in complete harmony as to become channels of light to the world which should fashion the human soul after the divine similitude. {Ms 67, 1910, par. 37}
Christ’s prayer continues, “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on Me through their word, that they all may” become not independent atoms, doing as they please, but become united; [and through them] the great, grand, elevated, sanctified principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ may [be] demonstrated to the unbelieving world; that they all may be sanctified through the power of the gospel and may be laborers together with God, that the unbelieving world may become one in heart and one in principle as Thou. “And the glory which Thou gavest Me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: that the world may know that Thou hast sent Me, and hast loved them as Thou hast loved Me.” [Verses 20-23.] {Ms 67, 1910, par. 38}
There are some who wish to do all the preaching, but this is not the Lord’s plan. The Lord made the arrangement that two should carry the responsibility of the work and consult together, unite their prayers, and blend in unity in their work. This unity can be reached only as every believer can unite under the Lord’s theocracy. One man’s mind and one man’s judgment cannot be a perfect whole. It is a solemn work in which we are engaged, and perfect unity is to be expressed in labor; and these are to be sanctified through the truth. And all will be drawn by the cords of love and tender confidence of sympathy to the great center, Jesus Christ. The Lord calls for talent to be cultivated." {Ms 67, 1910, par. 39} [Read More From This Article At This Link]
"I am instructed to say that where an effort is made to open the gospel work in a new field, there should be not less than two speakers to labor together in the ministry. When Christ sent forth His disciples on their missionary tour, He sent them out two by two. This is the Lord’s plan. {Lt 261, 1905, par. 1}
In opening up the work in San Diego, Elder Simpson should not be left to stand alone. There should be associated with him some one who is fitted to share these responsibilities. Elder Owen should be freed from other work that he may unite with Elder Simpson in presenting the truth to the people of San Diego. {Lt 261, 1905, par. 2}
That this may be accomplished, another Bible teacher must be selected for the school at Fernando. But it will be easier to find a suitable Bible teacher than to secure the services of one who has the wisdom and tact necessary to deal with an interest in the important city of San Diego. I ask you to unite in an effort to make such changes, that Elder Owen may be released from the school work to unite with Elder Simpson. {Lt 261, 1905, par. 3}
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The Lord designs that His work shall be carried solidly. To enter a new field involves large expense. But the extra expense of a second man to help Brother Simpson will be an investment that will bring returns. I feel to urge this matter, because so much is at stake. I pray the Lord to impress your minds to carry out His will. {Lt 261, 1905, par. 5}
I will now leave the matter with you, but I cannot free myself from the conviction that it is God’s will that Elder Owen and Elder Simpson shall unite in the important work that is to be undertaken in San Diego. I entreat of you to secure some one else to give instruction in Bible at Fernando, that Elder Owen may be free to unite with Elder Simpson." {Lt 261, 1905, par. 6}
"Never consent to accept one man’s labor to bear the responsibilities of the series of meetings. The Lord’s plan is two and two, and He understands [that] a more healthful current would circulate through the congregation, and the wearied brain of one man is not wholesome or sanctifying when others can be obtained."
"There should be no murmuring and complaining among the workers when one who moves in a humble position is appointed to work with them. They may suppose this humble worker incapable of co-operating with them, but in this they may be greatly in error. It is essential that they learn the lesson of contentment, and become capable of blending in unity, doing their best under all circumstances, believing that God alone can water the seed sown. In thus doing they will double their influence, for when duty is done with fidelity, and faithful diligence is manifested by the worker, it is proven that he bears the test and proving of God, and the Lord requires nothing more. {Ms 21a, 1894, par. 15}
Ministers can do no more than to trade according to their entrusted responsibilities. Let not one man think that his method and his way of doing will be sufficient to mold and fashion the souls of his congregation distinctly after his ideas, and that no other laborers are to mingle their talents with his work, because they do not know just how and where to take hold. Let ministers remember that God knows how to use His own agents to His name’s honor and glory. It is a great hindrance to the advancement and perfection of any church, when they are led to think that they are wholly efficient without the varied gifts. {Ms 21a, 1894, par. 16}
The Lord moves upon ministers who have varied capabilities, that they may feed the flock of His heritage with food convenient for them. They will reveal truth on points that their brother laborer did not regard as essential. Were the work of ministering to the flock left entirely to one man, there would be deficiency in the results. In His providence the Lord sends various workmen. One is strong on some essential point where another is weak. It takes the varied gifts of various laborers who are under the control of the Holy Spirit to carry forward to the fullness of the work. Let men beware how they treat their fellow laborers, for they are in danger of refusing Jesus in the messenger whom He sends. {Ms 21a, 1894, par. 17}
The Lord understands His own work, and has a thorough knowledge as to how it shall be carried on. He knows what it needs to perfect the work, and what portion of truth will be [given] in due season to His flock. Men may reason that because they have created an interest, and have made out a program of how the work shall be carried on, it would not be safe to trust other workmen, even of experience, to act a part in the work. They fear that this would interrupt the interest and divert the minds from the subjects which the first laborer had outlined. But let not laborers fear to give way for God’s messengers to bear their message. Many have acted with discourtesy in the past in this matter, and have met with loss which it is hard for them to recover, for the Spirit of the Lord has been grieved. {Ms 21a, 1894, par. 18}
The Lord has not left His work to be controlled by the finite minds of men. When doctrinal points are presented, one discourse following another, the Lord in His providence often sends another laborer in whom is another element, another gift, in order to bring in a line of truth that will supplement the first laborer’s work. Each talent is of value, each qualification is essential to perfect the work, that every soul in the congregation may find his special case met in the truths that are presented in different ways by different laborers. Some laborers will present truths in such a way that they will flash and shine like precious gems. Others will present the truth in such a manner that the minds of the believers are convicted. {Ms 21a, 1894, par. 19}
A great mistake has been made by some of our ministers in thinking that unless they manage the interest they have begun, the work would be hindered and the interest marred. They have even thought that it would not do for a minister to come in who had more knowledge and experience in the work than they themselves had. Such a conclusion is the fruit of misconception and it mars the work. When they themselves are called to other fields of labor, they will realize how difficult it is to labor with a church that is wrapped up in the minister who first taught them the truth. They will see that the people do not respect God’s messengers who follow in the track of the teacher who was places his own mold upon the church over which he presides, and that the very labor the church needed for the perfection of the saints can do them little good. Much difficult labor has to be performed before such a church learns to appreciate the varied instrumentalities whom God uses. {Ms 21a, 1894, par. 20}
Wherever an interest is started, the Lord in His providence will bring different gifts in connection with the one or two who are bringing the truth before the people. Let not the laborer be fearful that because a new laborer is introduced to the people, the interest will be interrupted and the work in which they are engaged will be marred. Keep your hands off the ark; God will take care of His work. Additional light will flash forth from the men who are sent of God, who are laborers together with God, and the original workers should receive God’s messengers cordially, treat them respectfully, and invite them to unite with them and speak to the people. Every facility, every new talent, is to be gladly received, respected, and encouraged. To treat indifferently one whom God has sent, is to show disrespect for Christ. God, the Master Workman, knows better than His underlaborers what is needed for the perfecting of the saints. {Ms 21a, 1894, par. 21}
The laborers who may come in after an interest has been created may be men who have even less ability than those who started the work; but if they are humble men of God, they may present the truth in such a way as to arouse and impress the hearts of some who have been hitherto untouched. The Lord reveals truth to different minds in different aspects, so that through one man’s presentation some point of truth is made clearer than through another man’s presentation, and for this very reason the Lord does not permit one man alone the work of dealing with human minds. He gives to every man his work according to his ability. The Lord will set in operation diverse instrumentalities that are to act together in perfecting the work of God. All these various gifts are given to the church for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ. {Ms 21a, 1894, par. 22}
One man may carry his part of the work as far as he can, and then the Lord will send another of His workmen to do another part of the work that the first worker did not feel the necessity of doing, and yet it was essential that the work should be done. Therefore let not one man feel that it is his duty to begin and carry forward a work entirely himself. If it is possible for him to have other gifts in other laborers to work for the conversion of souls let him gladly co-operate with them. It is always far better, if possible, to carry out Christ’s original plan. He sent out the first disciples two by two, and in the same manner He sent out the seventy, giving them the first directions that He gave the twelve He first sent out. {Ms 21a, 1894, par. 23}
There is danger that when one labors alone that he will fall into practices, and cherish habits, that need to be modified or corrected. A laborer may think that his manner of presenting subjects, or his method of work, is without a flaw, when the fact is that he is in need of reformation in many points that his own eyes do not discern. If a brother labors with him, he may discern [those] defects, and correct them in kindness and faithfulness. Let not the ministers be sensitive when the real situation is set before them, but let them be faithful one to another, and be learners in the school of Christ. In this kind of an association, one will be a blessing to the other. {Ms 21a, 1894, par. 24}
The Lord understands all the peculiar defects in His workmen. He reads the heart and weighs the character. He discerns the envy, the jealousy, the evil surmisings that tempt the soul; He knows the self-esteem that endangers soul’s health, and He will open the eyes of those who are blinded to their own error, if they are teachable, so that they may discern their danger. He also understands what are the peculiar capabilities in His messenger, and if the messenger is cherishing defects, the Lord will bring in connection with him a fellow laborer who will make him sensible of the one-sidedness of his labor, and through His Holy Spirit, He will cause him to realize the necessity of becoming a thoroughly developed workman in all points, in order that he may be a correct teacher of the most solemn, sacred truth ever committed to mortals. Those who would be shepherds of the flock of God, giving them food in due season, must first learn in the school of Christ lessons of meekness and lowliness of heart, if they would teach others. {Ms 21a, 1894, par. 25} [Read The Entire Article Here]
"The workers should go forth two by two, that they may pray and consult together. Never should they be sent out alone. The Lord Jesus Christ sent forth His disciples two and two into all the cities of Israel. He gave them the commission, “Heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God has come nigh unto you.” [Luke 10:9.] {Ms 33, 1901, par. 15}