House-to-House Visitation
House-to-House Work—Not only is the truth to be presented in
public assemblies; house-to-house work is to be done. Let this work
go forward in the name of the Lord.—
The Review and Herald, August
11, 1903
.
This house-to-house labor, searching for souls, hunting for the lost
sheep, is the most essential work that can be done.—
Letter 137, 1898
.
The Objective of House-to-House Labor—Our people make a
great mistake when, after holding a camp meeting and gathering a
few souls, they take down the tents and feel that their duty is done.
Their work had only just begun. They have preached doctrines that are
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new and strange to the people who heard them, and then left the seed
sown to be picked up by the birds, or else to wither away for want of
moisture....
After the truth has been presented to souls, there are those, min-
isters, friends, and acquaintances, who will pick up the seed sown if
possible. These human birds make the truth appear as error, and do
not give the one convicted any rest until they have devoured the seed
by false assertions.
What should be done? After the camp meeting is over, establish
a mission. Let the very best workers that can be found be organized
into a company to sell our literature and also give away papers to some
that cannot buy. Preparatory work is not of one half the value that the
afterwork is.
After the people have heard the reasons of our faith, let the house-
to-house work begin. Become acquainted with the people and read to
them the precious words of Christ. Lift up Jesus crucified among them,
and soon those who have listened to the messages of warning from the
ministers of God in the tent, and have been convicted, will be drawn
out to inquire in regard to what they have heard. This is the time to
present the reasons of our faith, with meekness and fear, not a slavish
fear, but a cautious fear lest you should speak unadvisedly. Present the
truth as it is in Jesus, with all meekness and lowliness, which means
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