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Testimonies for the Church Volume 6
the flock of God. He is to be respected and his work appreciated.
Genuine medical missionary work is bound up with the ministry, and
the canvassing work is to be a part both of the medical missionary
work and of the ministry. To those who are engaged in this work I
would say: As you visit the people, tell them that you are a gospel
worker and that you love the Lord. Do not seek a home in a hotel, but
stay at a private house and become acquainted with the family. Christ
was sowing the seeds of truth wherever He was, and as His followers
you can witness for the Master, doing a most precious work in fireside
labor. In thus coming close to the people you will often find those who
are sick and discouraged. If you are pressing close to the side of Christ,
wearing His yoke, you will daily learn of Him how to carry messages
of peace and comfort to the sorrowing and disappointed, the sad and
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broken-hearted. You can point the discouraged ones to the word of
God and take the sick to the Lord in prayer. As you pray, speak to
Christ as you would to a trusted, much-loved friend. Maintain a sweet,
free, pleasant dignity, as a child of God. This will be recognized.
Canvassers should be able to give instruction in regard to the
treatment of the sick. They should learn the simple methods of hygienic
treatment. Thus they may work as medical missionaries, ministering
to the souls and the bodies of the suffering. This work should now
be going forward in all parts of the world. Thus multitudes might be
blessed by the prayers and instruction of God’s servants.
We need to realize the importance of the canvassing work as one
great means of finding out those who are in peril and bringing them to
Christ. Canvassers should never be prohibited from speaking of the
love of Christ, from telling their experience in their service for the
Master. They should be free to speak or to pray with those who are
awakened. The simple story of Christ’s love for man will open doors
for them, even to the homes of unbelievers.
As the canvasser visits the people at their homes, he will often have
opportunity to read to them from the Bible or from books that teach
the truth. When he discovers those who are searching for truth he can
hold Bible readings with them. These Bible readings are just what the
people need. God will use in His service those who thus show a deep
interest in perishing souls. Through them He will impart light to those
who are ready to receive instruction.