Fireside Efforts by E. A. Sutherland

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · May 12, 1914

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 41, No. 18.

Fireside Efforts

By E. A. Sutherland

IN man's effort to evangelize the world, there is a place for the sermon; there is a place for the written article; but there is a large amount of work also to be done in an individual way. Christ gave one of His most effective lessons when His congregation consisted of only one woman. His pulpit was the curbstone of Jacob's well; His congregation, a Samaritan woman, whom national prejudice forbade that He even address.

The spirit of the true teacher is manifested in this gospel story, for the Master put just as much truth into His words when He spoke to one as though He were addressing thousands. His plea was no less telling, His sympathy no less, than when the multitudes gathered around Him. It might seem like wasted effort. Some men depend upon the inspiration of a multitude for their own upbuilding; but the Saviour, judging from the testimony He Himself bore, was fed in spirit when ministering to that one, for through that one He saw many accepting the truth.

Nor is this an exceptional experience in the ministry of the Saviour of mankind. In response to the soul yearnings of one woman in Syrophenicia, He journeyed one hundred fifty or two hundred miles to answer the call—and she a poor woman not of His faith! These are marks of the true teacher.

E. A. SUTHERLAND.