p. 13 | Untitled article by G.

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Jun 17, 1903

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 29, No. 24.

"FROM HOUSE TO HOUSE."

By G.

PEDDLERS and solicitors in the interest of all manner of business, legitimate and illegitimate, go from house to house to introduce their wares or their enterprise, whatever it may be. And people think it all right; indeed they have come to expect such calls, are often disappointed if passed by. Then why not call from house to house on the most important business in all the universe—the salvation of souls for whom Christ died? The Lord Himself set the example. One instance is sufficient to illustrate His estimate of the importance of carrying the Gospel into the homes of the people.

He was passing through the city of Jericho and a great multitude was following Him. A man named Zacchaeus was very anxious to see Jesus, but was so small of stature that he could not see over the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed into a tree, that he might see Jesus as He passed. Notwithstanding the pressure of the multitude, the Spirit pointed out the man in the tree, and Jesus saw the possible disciple. He might have said, "Zacchaeus, I am going to preach on a street corner a little farther along, and I would be glad to have you come and hear what I have to say." The little man in the tree would doubtless have felt much flattered by such a special invitation, and would gladly have stood near the noted Preacher throughout even a very long discourse.

But Jesus did better than that; He looked up into the tree and said, "Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to-day I must abide at thy house." What thrilling emotion must have filled the little man's heart at the sound of such a salutation! "And he made haste, and came down, and received Him joyfully." Then, in addition to the instruction that might have been given in a sermon, Zacchaeus had the great honor and pleasure and privilege of entertaining in his house the Bearer of the Gospel tidings. And there are many people to-day who would be glad to have a call from some humble servant of God, man or woman—some one "that bringeth good tidings of good; that publisheth salvation." There are those in the quiet of home life who would accept the good news of salvation if brought to their homes by some one who manifested a deep personal interest in their welfare; yet those same ones might never be induced to enter a church or attend a religious meeting of any kind. "From house to house" is a recognized method of Gospel work, and it is an important method. G.