As a young man, Ernest Alfred Booth (1873-1939) was pious and a steward of his time. While working in London, he used his lunchtime to attend lunchtime worship daily conducted at Holloway St. James church. It is amazing how Rev. Stuart could evangelize, equip, and mobilize youngsters for missions by speaking during lunch breaks throughout the week. Later Alfred Booth came to Chennai in 1895 to serve as the first Baptist missionary, and that has grown to 300 Baptist churches in Tamil Nadu, India. In Ephesus, Paul used a similar strategy of using a public Hall of Tyrannus to preach and teach for about two years daily. (Acts 19) It could be 500 to 600 days, five hours daily, a total of 2500 to 3000 hours.
Proclamation: The gospel truth must be proclaimed verbally to the people. It includes preaching, teaching, proving, persuading, dialoguing, debating, discussing, and arguing.
Suitable venue: The Church building in London became a suitable venue to attract people who sought the truth, meaning for life, and purpose. Paul rented a facility in the marketplace.
Time: Rev. Stuart made an extraordinary effort, as well as an odd time of lunchtime as he preached in season or out of season. (II Timothy 4:2) Busy people in London could take a quick break during lunchtime to have their spiritual food. Paul chose the resting time in the city between 11 AM to 4 PM for his lectures. Perhaps the rent was cheaper. Since Paul also worked as a tentmaker, used his resting time for preaching. (Acts 20:34)
Seed of life: Rev. Stuart preached not knowing that one of the hearers would get a new vision and go from London to Chennai taking the gospel. He sowed the seed, expecting the Lord to give the increase. Young Alfred was eager to know the Word and grow in spiritual maturity. The seed sown in one place could provide fruit in another part of the world. The gospel seed sown faithfully in the hearts of people could bring forth fruit beyond human expectations and imagination.
Do I sow the seed of the gospel faithfully?