Question.—What do you understand to be the preacher's objective in visiting people in their homes?
Answer (by Meade MacGuire).—I will read a paragraph from "Special Testimony, Appeal and Suggestions to Conference Officers," page 18:
"Men who are accustomed to preach and not to minister should not go into foreign countries. Better have one real shepherd who will care for the flock as a faithful shepherd than to have twenty idlers who will excuse themselves, saying, 'It is not my line to visit; I cannot visit the people in their families.' Then let there not be a moment's hesitation in telling them, 'We do not propose to accept you and give you credentials; you cannot labor. But educate yourself to do a shepherd's work, to care for the sheep and lambs, and you will not be like Ephraim—a cake unturned. You will give full proof of your ministry.' Those who can only preach are not missionaries and never can be until they learn the skill, the watchful, tender compassion of a shepherd. The flock of God have a right to expect to be visited by their pastor, to be instructed, advised, counseled in their own homes."
Now I think that explains what a preacher's visit to a home should be. He should instruct, advise, and counsel the believers in their own homes; talk to them in regard to their spiritual experience, and make sure that they are having a true, living Christian experience; and manifest such a personal interest as to win their confidence, so that in case they need help because of becoming indifferent or worldly, and are slipping away, they will readily listen to the pastor's admonition and appeals to press on in the Christian life.