Instructions and regulations for missionaries [SSM23_19]

Abstract

undated, four pages

SHEPHERD STREET MISSION.
INSTRUCTIONS AND REGULATIONS FOR MISSIONARIES.

1. Visit the inhabitants of the district assigned to you for the purpose of bringing them to an acquaintance with salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, and of doing them good by every means in your power.
2. Read up a portion of the Word of God, and offer up solemn prayer in everyhouse, if you have anopportunity ; where this cannot be done introduce into your conversation as much of the Scriptures as possible, and see that the terms used are understood. In reading or speaking let those portions of the Scriptures which bear upon the depravity of man – the way of salvation through faith in Christ alone,- the necessity of a change of heart, and holiness of life ever hold a prominent place.
3. Inculcate upon all the duty of searching the Scriptures, as a revelation of the mind, and will of God to mankind generally, and as the standard by which they shall be judged in the day of Final Decision.
4. Urge upon all persons you visit, the necessity of attending the public worship of God. If they are neglecting it, point out to them the special importance of them attending the ministry of the Gospel. Specify no particular church or chapel leaving to those you visit the selection of the place most accordant with their own views, provided that, in that place the great doctrines of the Reformation are faithfully taught.
5. Inculcate upon parents the duty of training up the children in the way they should go, and the propriety of availing themselves of Sabbath School instruction. Encourage them in habits of order, regularity, and cleanliness, as of great importance to their domestic comfort; and faithfully, but prudently, reprove open vice when you see it manifested, such as swearing, intemperance, and the profanation of the Sabbath.
6. See that those who have not the Scriptures are supplied with them.
7. Endeavour to hold meetings weekly in different parts of your districts, for the purpose of reading the Scriptures, exhortations, and prayer. Make the Word of God the foundation of your remarks at each meeting. These meetings should not exceed on hour at a time.
8. Circulate no tract of book in your district which has not been approved of by the Committee.
9. Avoid all unnecessary controversy upon religious subjects. Do notinterfere with peculiar tenets of any individual respecting Church Government. Cautiously avoid all topics of an irritatinf tendency, and seek, bya simple manifestation of the truth, to commend your-self to every man’s conscience.
(Continued).
10. Studiously avoid entering upon subjects of a political nature, as foreign to the purpose of our visits.
11. Devote yourself entirely to the objects of the Mission, and abstain from all secular employment. Give yourself to study of the Scriptures and to prayer.
12. You are required to abstain from preaching or conducting religious worship in any church, chapel, or meeting – house, except with the consent of the Superintendent, and to give yourself wholly to the work to which youare appointed by the Society.
13. Write the journal of your proceedings day by day with the strictest accuracyas to facts and circumstances, and submit it once a week to the Superintendent, for inspection, together with the returns of your work on the form supplied.
14. Conduct yourself in such a manner as will prove to the persons you visit that you are in earnest in seeking their benefit. Beware of the appearance of self-importance; you will most effectually commend the Saviour by addressing those you call on as fellow-sinners; be courteous and affectionate. Go to your district with prayerfulness, and with earnest desire that every person you visit may be brought to a saving acquaintance with the Lord Jesus Christ. Your work is awfully important; you have to deal with immortal souls many of whom may never hear the Gospel but from you, and whose eternal happiness may depend upon the message you deliver to them. Be faithful be simple, keep the Lord Jesus continually before yor own mind and commend him and His great salvation to the people. Go forth daily to your work with your heart lifted up to God for the assistance and direction of his Holy Spirit, relying upon His promise for wisdom and strength, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay or resist. Let the glory of God and the salvation of souls be your chief- your only end.
(Continued.)
15. Your district will be assigned to you by the Superintendent and you are expected to accept with cheerfulness and alacrity all changes of work.
16. Spend six hours every day in visiting from door to door Saturday excepted. On that day spend three hours from 9-30 to 12-30 visiting the Cab-stands. It is not counted a visit unless a portions of Scripture is read, and prayer offered.
17. Missionaries to visit every morning from 9 o’clock to 12 o’clock, and in the afternoon from from 2 till 5.
18. On Sunday five hours are to be given to the workon the district, in which the time occupied in meetings may be counted.
(Continued.)
19. The number of visits required to be made by the missionary is at the least 100 per week. One afternoon in each week to be given to visit among the people attending the Mission Hall if required. When the number of visits does not reach the required total, the reason is to be stated on the form of weekly returns. It is to be understood that any satisfactory reason arising from special cases or otherwise, will be accepted when stated as requested, but explanations are always to be given in writing, even if the Secretary has been previously consulted.
20. Missionaries to record in their journals any interesting cases they may meet with in visitation.
21. Missionaries are to address all the permanent meetings themselves, and are not at liberty to ask others to speak for them except in a case of sudden sickness, or other emergency. All substitutes’ names to be submitted to the Secretary for approval.
22. No workshop or other permanent meeting to be begun or given up without consultation with the Secretary.
23. All political, secular, and controversial subjects to be carefully avoided, both in the Mission Hall, Lodging House, and Open Air Services in the streets.

Inasmuch as the Shepherd Steet Mission engages the whole time of the Missionaries it is an instruction to them that any monies received by them in return for any services rendered mush be paid over to the Mission Funds.

Missionaries are not allowed to address any meeting during their holidays, whether in Preston or elsewhere, except with the consent of the Secretary.