House to house visitation,
or personal evangelism is, I believe, one of the most effective methods
one can use in winning souls to Christ. Especially is this true here in
the mountains, as many of the little cabin homes are located so far away
from the meeting house, in many instances it is almost impossible for the
people to attend a revival or church services.
When I first started doing
personal work, it was rather hard for me to ask people if they were saved.
I thought that was entirely too personal, so when I contacted anyone, I
usually asked him if he was a church member. I soon found out that most
everyone is a member of some church, but to my sorrow, I also learned that
a great majority of them are not saved. In our work now, we not only ask
them if they are saved, but we also explain the plan of salvation through
the blood of the Lamb.
We have had some wonderful
experiences in this type of work. I perhaps could write page after page,
telling of the many blessings, of the many souls saved in this effort for
the lost. However, I will select only a few that you may see what a great
opportunity you have with your next door neighbor.
A few years ago, when we
first started doing personal work, we had our headquarters in a small South
Carolina town, and were covering the different villages and highways in
the nearby vicinity. One day, while going from house to house, giving out
tracts and witnessing for our Savior, I came to a very pretentious residence
in a beautiful setting of trees and flowers, a few hundred yards from the
highway. As it was a very hot day, I had been perspiring rather freely,
and I wondered just what sort of a welcome I would receive at this home.
The Devil was certainly on
the job, as is usually the case when one is trying to reach the lost. He
was doing his best to keep me from going to this house, and presented many
reasons why I should not stop.
"No one will answer the door,"
said he "and if they do, you will probably get a cold reception, as your
shirt is slightly soiled and wilted, and you have no coat on. besides,
how will this old car look rattling up this beautiful driveway to this
fine home?"
Thus he argued, and had about
won his case, when into my heart came a still small voice so calm and peaceful,
saying "you are a poor soldier." Gone were the many excuses the devil had
used; our Lord and Savior had won. I went up and rang the door bell. A
middle-aged woman came to the door, and looking me over rather coldly,
she said "We do not want to buy anything," to which I replied "Lady, are
you saved?" She looked at me for just a moment and then came over and opened
the screen door and asked me in. When I left, this lady was freely shedding
tears and praising God. She also told me of many homes in the community
which she asked me to visit and tell the story of Jesus.
And now I take you a little
school house church which is located far out on a mountain trail. It was
just before the close of a revival. Quite a number of people, and especially
the young people, had been won to Christ.
During the sermon, Frances
had especially noticed a young man sitting near the front, who seemed greatly
burdened and under conviction. So when the invitation was announced, she
went over and began pleading with him to surrender his all to god, but
seemingly to no avail.
The invitation had been extended,
several songs had been sung, prayers had been offered, and still this boy
was holding back. At last the minister in charge of the service dismissed
the congregation. The people were leaving the little church for their homes.
Soon the building was almost empty, and although the lamps were being turned
out, she was still talking to this boy. At last the battle was over and
Christ had won, and we knelt with this young man as he poured out his heart
in full surrender to his Savior.
We learned that this young
man was leaving the next morning to attend a school in another part of
the state. His mother, who is a Christian, told us later that before here
boy left for school, he put his arms around her and said "Mom, I'm going
to live a real Christian life and be a good boy. Pray for me while I'm
gone."
We rejoiced with this good
mother that her son left home a very different boy from what he would have
been, but for the grace of God.
We request a great interest
in your prayers that we will be found faithful and fully submitted to our
Savior's will. |