The house-to-house method of proclaiming the gospel did not cease with the days of the apostles, when the example of Christ in this respect was so faithfully followed and so signally blessed. We find that during the days of the Reformation of the sixteenth century, when the foundation for the third angel's message to be proclaimed in later years was so firmly established in the message of justification by faith, house-to-house ministry was the most effective means of extending the message for that time. This was the method followed by the Waldensian youth, who went from home to home quietly planting the living seed of truth, which brought forth a bountiful harvest. Concerning the work of the Waldenses we read: "In secret places the word of God was thus brought forth and read, sometimes to a single soul, sometimes to a little company who were longing for light and truth. Often the entire night was spent in this manner. . . . In many cases the messenger of truth was seen no more. . . . But the words he had left behind could not be destroyed. They were doing their work in the hearts of men; the blessed results will be fully known only in the judgment."—"The Great Controversy," pp. 446.
John Calvin, one of the great lights of the Protestant Reformation, did more than any other man toward formulating the doctrines of the reform church. We read that "his work began with the people at their homes. Surrounded by the members of the household, he read the Bible, and opened the truths of salvation."—/d., page 222.
Calvin lived at a time when the battle against the Bible and Protestantism was at a very high tension. In large degree, he faced the same issues which confront us today, and he recognized that the most effective effort to counteract these perversions centered in house-to-house ministry. In proof of this, note the further reference on page 222 of "The Great Controversy:" "Calvin, though an able combatant in the fields of theological controversy, had a higher mission to accomplish than that of these noisy schoolmen. The minds of men were stirred, and now was the time to open to them the truth. While the halls of the universities were filled with the clamor of theological disputation, Calvin was making his way from house to house, opening the Bible to the people, and speaking to them of Christ and Him crucified."
When the time came for the final phase of the everlasting gospel to be proclaimed to the world, as announced by the first, second, and third angels' messages, a spirit of earnest Bible study pervaded the hearts of honest people everywhere. Far into the night, singly and in groups, they met for prayer and study of the prophetic word, and the Spirit of God illuminated the Scriptures, establishing the solid platform of eternal truth upon which the remnant church is to stand during the last crisis of the ages.
It was in the year 1882 that "the plan of holding Bible readings" came as "a heaven-born idea" in the proclamation of the final reformatory message to the world. The circumstances under which the Bible reading plan, as now known, was developed were these:
At a camp meeting in California, Elder S. N. Haskell was preaching a sermon in the customary manner, when suddenly a severe storm came on, attended by such a rumble of thunder and continuous clashing of the elements, that the sermon had to cease, because it became impossible to make the audience hear the voice of the speaker. It was then that the Spirit of the Lord impressed Elder Haskell to try a new method of teaching, and immediately he stepped down from the pulpit and gathered a group of people around him in the center of the tent. Instead of continuing to preach to them, he gave out texts of Scripture to be read by different ones in response to questions which he asked; and the truths presented in this manner made a deep impression on the minds of the people.
Although Mrs. E. G. White was attending the camp meeting, she was not present when this incident occurred, but upon being told of the Bible reading service which had been held during the storm, she sent at once for Elder Haskell, and told him that what he had done was in harmony with the light which she had received from the Lord; and she then explained that in vision she had witnessed hundreds and thousands of people going from house to house, carrying the Bible with them, and teaching the truths of the third angel's message in this very questionand-answer manner. It was still further specified that "consecrated women should engage in Bible work from house to house."—"Testintonies," Vol. p. 120. "Will our sisters arise to the emergency? Will they work for the Master?" it was asked.
There was a most encouraging response to this appeal to women to engage in this house-to-house ministry, and during the years immediately following 1882 the development of Bible workers became a prominent part of the organized work of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. For example, at the General Conference of 1889, it was recommended that especial attention be given in the various States to seeking out intelligent women, and encouraging them to gain an experience in the Bible work. In 1891, further action was taken as follows:
"We recommend, That the Bible work be encouraged as an important auxiliary in the carrying forward of the message.
"That greater care be exercised in the selection of workers for this branch. They should be persons of mature judgment and sound Christian experience."
"That in some of the larger cities, such as San Francisco, Chicago, New York, and London [England], there be maintained training schools for actual experimental Bible work, and that a corps of experienced workers should be kept there, who could direct and assist the new workers."
For a period of about twenty years, from 1890 onward, much attention was given to city mission work for the training of young women for Bible work, and a strong force of capable workers was developed,—women who, upon leaving our colleges, turned to the Bible work as a life calling, and whose faithful, efficient service has been an element of strength in the rapid advance of the message throughout the earth.
While there has been a sad decline in the development of the Bible work during recent years, there has never been any rescinding of the divine approval placed upon it, and the effectiveness of this house-to-house ministry is still being demonstrated by the comparatively few who are now in active service.
May the example of the Great Teacher, and the messages He has given to us through the Spirit of prophecy, bring courage and inspiration to every loyal Bible worker who has dedicated her life to follow in His footsteps and open up the word of truth in the homes of the people. Remember the promise: "God will not permit this precious work for Him to go unrewarded."—"Gospel Workers," p. 192. And may God hasten the daY when "hundreds and thousands" will be seen "visiting families, and opening before them the word of God."
Loma Linda, Calif.
