Personal Labor by L. D. SANTEE

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jul 4, 1907

Personal Labor

By L. D. SANTEE

L. D. SANTEE

I firmly believe that many who labor in word and doctrine would accomplish a great deal more than they do if they attended more to personal work, visiting families, not simply to have an easy time and pleasant interview, but to relieve burdened souls by wisely, kindly, and earnestly preaching to them “repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.” Acts 20: 21.

There is no other way whereby we can gain an insight into the spiritual needs of our people as successfully as in private social intercourse. The Bible furnishes us any number of precedents in this kind of work. Paul labored “from house to house,” as well as “publicly.” Peter’s first effort among the Gentiles was in a private house, in the home of Cornelius. Acts 10. What rich fruit Christ’s private interview with Nicodemus bore! John 3. In the presence of the Jewish Sanhedrin the Saviour could not have instructed him as he did in that quiet talk; neither would Nicodemus have received his instruction. Paul applied the principle of true wisdom, when, speaking of one of his efforts with prominent men in Jerusalem, he said, “And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain.” Gal. 2: 2.

Many a man in the large congregation, feels that he has his dignity to sustain, and so he will not yield as he would in a private interview; and once having taken his stand against the truth, he has not grace enough to renounce the position he had publicly taken.

The Great Teacher, in his personal labor with the woman of Samaria at Jacob’s well, spoke truths that lightened all Samaria, and in the Gospel of John have lightened the world through all the ages since. Philip, in his personal labor with the eunuch, caused him to say, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God,” and to act on his belief, by being baptized. A Methodist presiding elder has well said, “We want ministers who will have their hand on their Bible in

the forenoons, and on their neighbors’ door-knobs in the afternoons.”

Now, in regard to the manner of visiting. By all means, do not antagonize. Remember, “He that winneth souls is wise.” Prov. 11: 30. If you are visiting those having a religious experience, let them know that you count them as brethren, that you are with them on the great truths of repentance, faith, conversion, the need and the efficacy of the Saviour’s work. Show how wonderfully interesting are the great lines of prophecy, and how they arm every one against infidelity. Isa. 41: 18-24; John 14: 29; Isa. 42: 9. Take their sympathies with you during the visit, and leave them with a warm clasp of the hand. I am deeply impressed with the importance of visiting every family willing to receive us. If we are faithful shepherds, the Lord will give us tact, and we shall find ourselves welcome when we come again.

Thoroughness should characterize our pastoral visits. Do not dispute. Even if remarks are made that you can not indorse, you do not have to contradict; be silent, or change the subject. Think, as the Saviour said, “I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye can not hear them now.” Cultivate geniality. Study Phil. 4: 8, and you will find that sunshine wins. Read John 12: 32: “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.” If you lift Christ up, men will be attracted. If you do not have this result, ask yourself the question, Whom am I lifting up, Christ or self?

Many will not come out to hear us preach unless we visit them. Those who have the best success in keeping their congregations, have been good visitors. Again, it is a good way to have tracts with you, and you are fortunate if you can strike some subject of interest, and then leave some tract bearing on that subject. It will work like leaven, disarm prejudice, and create a desire to hear the living preacher. Many who have not the time to read a large book, will become deeply interested in a small tract. Let us bring these tracts to the front more, as we used to do in the early days of this cause. When visiting our own members, do not forget to encourage them to visit others. When Jesus said, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16: 15), he addressed more lay members than apostles. God would have us to be social, both for our benefit and for the benefit of others. In doing this, we shall be watered ourselves while watering others, and shall be better prepared to sympathize with, and understandingly pray for, those who are compassed by weakness and surrounded by temptation.

The minister should not spend too much time in his study. It is a good place for a fitting up, but men and women are the material that God sends him to work with. Many of them are governed by worldly principles, and are perishing without the light of the everlasting gospel. Their darkness appeals to us. God has sent us out, saying, “Ye are the light of the world.” “Freely ye have received, freely give.”

Again we say, cultivate geniality. Prove to them that you are really interested in their welfare. Have a kind word for the children. They like to be noticed, and in doing so you are making your own life lovely. God does not want us to hold ourselves aloof from the people. Not a hermit is found in heaven. Long ago God saw that it was not good for man to be alone. The angels form an innumerable company, and the promise is found in Ps. 68: 6, “God setteth the solitary in families.” All the inhabitants of heaven are social beings, giving as well as receiving, each one contributing to the happiness of the rest. Among the redeemed, as well, the same conditions exist. A great multitude that no man could number stand before the throne of God, and they are rejoicing together. So, on the earth, God calls us to work for one another; and the ambassador for Christ, when he goes out with a heart full of love for others, will find that life is rich in doing his Master’s work.

Chicago, Ill.