AT MY HOUSE FIVE WEEKS by Dudley Marvin Canright

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 26, 1877

“AT MY HOUSE FIVE WEEKS.”

By Dudley Marvin Canright

THIS is what a brother said to me the other day with regard to one of our preachers. He came there to give a course of lectures, had a good interest, held meetings nearly every night, and continued them for five or six weeks. He made it his home with this brother, which was a very convenient place, and there he staid every single night for five long weeks. The people were interested, came to hear night after night, but he did not visit among them only now and then for a brief call, or perhaps to take dinner. Any one could tell what the result of such a course would be, only half a dozen came out, and no church raised up. The people lost their interest. The work was a failure.

Such a course shows plainly that a minister has no missionary spirit, no spirit of labor and sacrifice for the people. He loves to preach while a good audience will come to hear, and what man does not? But the real hard labor, the sacrificing part of the business, that which really moves the people, gains their confidence, and wins them to the Lord,—for this he has no taste. He finds it easier to start a new interest, run it while he is popular, take it easy while the people come to hear, and then leave the field as soon as the easy part of the work is done. Another new field is entered, a fine interest is reported. Three or four embrace the truth and that is the end of it; and so this thing is acted over time after time. Really, more hurt than good is done. A good field is spoiled, souls are decided against the truth. So much has been said upon this subject through the testimonies and through our papers that I am ashamed to say any more; and yet it seems as though we must.

The sermon, the mere preaching, is but a small part of the work generally. The visiting from house to house, talking with the children, praying with the family, these are the things that bring success more than the argument. Our ministers who have the best success, are the best hands at visiting; and many of our least talented brethren, so far as preaching is concerned, have good success in raising up churches, much better than more able sermonizers do; and it is simply because the latter don’t do this part of the labor. Of course, this is very hard work, and keeps a man busy. He will have to labor several hours with just one individual. This is not as flattering as it is to stand up and talk to a hundred. Nothing will win the sympathy and gain the hearts of a family so quick as to go and sit with them, talk with them, and share their hospitality. They then regard you as their guest, as a part of the family. Familiar intercourse with them lets you into their feelings, informs you of their objections, etc., so that you can preach more understandingly and feelingly to them.

When we go into a neighborhood to commence religious meetings, to interest men in the truths of God’s word, why should we not go from house to house, and talk with the people, pray with them, and invite them to hear the word of God? What if they don’t attend our meetings? What if they are opposers, or not interested? Have we not a duty to do to them, and is not this just the way to get them interested, to make them friendly, to get them out to meeting? If they see that you really have an interest for them, that you care for their souls, then they will be much more likely to come and hear you. How can we expect success in giving a course of lectures when we neglect all the best means of securing success?

D. M. CANRIGHT.