ouse, is in harmony with the instruction that Christ gave to His disciples when He sent
them out on their first missionary tour. By songs of praise to God, by humble, heartfelt prayers, by a
simple presentation of Bible truth in the family circle, many will be reached. The divine [Worker] will
be present to send conviction to hearts. “I am with you alway” is His promise. With the assurance of
the abiding presence of such a Helper, we may labor with hope and faith and courage....
My brethren and sisters, give yourselves to the Lord for service. Allow no opportunity to pass
unimproved. Visit those who live near you, and by sympathy and kindness try to reach their hearts.
Visit the sick and suffering, and show a kindly interest in them. If possible, do something to make them
more comfortable. Through this means you can reach their hearts, and speak a word for Christ. Eternity
alone will reveal how far reaching such a line of labor can be.—The Review and Herald, November 21,
1907.
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Chapter Nine—Types of Work in Neighborhood
Evangelism
A Large Work Before Our Churches.—There is a work to be done by our churches that few have
any idea of.... We shall have to give of our means to support laborers in the harvest field, and we shall
rejoice in the sheaves gathered in. But while this is right, there is a work, as yet untouched, that must be
done. The mission of Christ was to heal the sick, encourage the hopeless, bind up the brokenhearted.
This work of restoration is to be carried on among the needy suffering ones of humanity.
God calls not only for your benevolence but for your cheerful countenance, your hopeful words,
the grasp of your hand. Relieve some of God’s afflicted ones. Some are sick, and hope has departed.
Bring back the sunlight to them. There are souls who have lost their courage; speak to them, pray for
them. There are those who need the bread of life. Read to them from the Word of God. There is a soul
sickness no balm can reach, no medicine heal. Pray for these, and bring them to Jesus Christ. And in
all your work Christ will be present to make impressions upon human hearts.—Manuscript 105, 1898.
Visit Every Family and Know Their Spiritual Condition.—Wherever a church is established, all
the members should engage actively in a missionary work.
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They should visit every family in the neighborhood and know their spiritual condition. If professed
Christians had engaged in this work from the time when their names were first placed on the church
books, there would not now be such widespread unbelief, such depths of iniquity, such unparalleled
wickedness, as is seen in the world at the present time. If every church member had sought to enlighten
others, thousands upon thousands would today stand with God’s commandment-keeping people.
And not only in the world do we see the result of the church’s neglect to work in Christ’s lines.
By this neglect a condition of things has been brought into the church that has eclipsed the high and
holy interests of the work of God. A spirit of criticism and bitterness has come into the church, and
the spiritual discernment of many has been dimmed. Because of this the cause of Christ has suffered
great loss. Heavenly intelligences have been waiting to cooperate with human agencies, but we have
not discerned their presence.
It is now high time that we repent. All the people of God should interest themselves in the work of
doing good. They should unite heart and soul in earnest endeavor to uplift and enlighten their fellow
men.—Testimonies for the Church 6:296, 297.
Finding Those Who Will Hear.—Several years ago, during a former visit to the South, while out
on long drives, I sometimes asked who occupied the homes we passed, and I learned that in many of the
larger Southern houses were men who bear important responsibilities in the care of great estates. Upon
further inquiry, I learned that no one had sought to bring before these men the Word of Life. None had
gone to
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them, with Bible in hand, and said, “We have something precious for you, and we want that you should
hear it.” Now it has been presented before me repeatedly that this is a line of work that must be done.
We are to go out into the highways and into the hedges and carry to the people the message of truth that
Christ has given us. We are to compel many to come in.—Manuscript 15, 1909.
Making Contacts Count for Christ.—There are many from whom hope has departed. Bring back
the sunshine to them. Many have lost their courage. Speak to them words of cheer. Pray for them.
There are those who need the bread of life. Read to them from the Word of God. Upon many is a soul
sickness which no earthly balm can reach or physician heal. Pray for these souls. Bring them to Jesus.
Tell them that there is a balm in Gilead and a Physician there.—Prophets and Kings, 718, 719.
Working for All Classes.—Everywhere there is a work to be done for all classes of society. We
are to come close to the poor and the depraved, those who have fallen through intemperance. And, at
the same time, we are not to forget the higher classes—the lawyers, ministers, senators, and judges,
many of whom are slaves to intemperate habits. We are to leave no effort untried to show them that
their souls are worth saving, that eternal life is worth striving for.—Testimonies for the Church 7:58.
Called to Different Lines of Service.—The Lord is calling upon His people to take up different
lines of missionary work, to sow beside all waters. We do but a small part of the work that He desires
us to do among
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our neighbors and friends. By kindness to the poor, the sick, or the bereaved we may obtain an influence
over them, so that divine truth will find access to their hearts. No such opportunity for service should
be allowed to pass unimproved. It is the highest missionary work that we can do. The presentation of
the truth in love and sympathy from house to house is in harmony with the instruction of Christ to His
disciples when He sent them out on their first missionary tour.—The Review and Herald, June 6, 1912.
Help Humanity as Did Christ.—As He [Christ] passed through the towns and cities, He was like
a vital current, diffusing life and joy wherever He went. The followers of Christ are to labor as He did.
We are to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and comfort the suffering and afflicted. We are to minister
to the despairing and inspire hope in the hopeless.—The Desire of Ages, 350.
The Work Every Church Should Have Been Doing.—The work of gathering in the needy, the
oppressed, the suffering, the destitute, is the very work which every church that believes the truth for
this time should long since have been doing. We are to show the tender sympathy of the Samaritan in
supplying physical necessities, feeding the hungry, bringing the poor that are cast out to our homes,
gathering from God every day grace and strength that will enable us to reach to the very depths of
human misery and help those who cannot possibly help themselves. In doing this work we have a
favorable opportunity to set forth Christ the crucified One.—Testimonies for the Church 6:276.
Sermons Cannot Do It.—By personal labor reach the people where they are. Become acquainted
with
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them. This work cannot be done by proxy. Money loaned or given cannot accomplish it. Sermons from
the pulpit cannot do it.—Gospel Workers, 188.
Sunshine Bands.—There is power in the ministry of song. Students who have learned to sing
sweet gospel songs with melody and distinctness can do much good as singing evangelists. They will
find many opportunities to use the talent that God has given them in carrying melody and sunshine
into many lonely places darkened by sorrow and affliction, singing to those who seldom have church
privileges.
Students, go out into the highways and hedges. Endeavor to reach the higher as well as the lower
classes. Enter the homes of the rich as well as the poor, and as you have opportunity, ask, “Would you
be pleased to have us sing some gospel hymns?” Then as hearts are softened, the way may open for you
to offer a few words of prayer for the blessing of God. Not many will refuse to listen. Such ministry is
genuine missionary work.—Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, 547, 548.
A Wide Field of Practical Service.—There is a wide field for service for women as well as for
men. The efficient cook, the seamstress, the nurse—the help of all is needed. Let the members of poor
households be taught how to cook, how to make and mend their own clothing, how to nurse the sick,
how to care properly for the home. Even the children should be taught to do some little errand of love
and mercy for those less fortunate than themselves.
Other lines of usefulness will open before those who are willing to do the duty nearest them. It is
not learned, eloquent speakers that are needed now, but humble, Christlike men and women.
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Work disinterestedly, lovingly, patiently, for all with whom you are brought in contact. Show no
impatience. Utter not one unkind word. Let the love of Christ be in your hearts, the law of kindness on
your lips.—The Review and Herald, August 7, 1913.
Using Our Holidays to Run Errands for the Lord.—There are other lines of work. Some are
capable of reading the Scriptures and communicating to others that which we believe. These may be
channels of light and a precious comfort to some poor discouraged souls who seem to be unable to
grasp hope and exercise faith. Others should search and study how they can be doing errands for the
Lord. If those whose employment takes the most of their time, excepting Sundays or holidays, instead
of spending this time in their own pleasure, use it in blessing others, they will be of service in the cause
of God. Your example will help others to do something that will tell to the glory of God. Heed the
words of the inspired apostle, “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the
glory of God.” Thus a living principle will be brought into your daily active life, of being good and
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doing good....
It will not be possible for all to give their whole time to the work, because of the labor they must
do to earn their daily living. Yet these have their holidays and times that they can devote to Christian
work, and do good in this way if they cannot give much of their means.—Letter 12, 1892.
The hours so often spent in amusement that refreshes neither body nor soul sh