This part of the pastoral work is not to be neglected or shifted upon your wives or some other person. You must educate and train yourselves to visit every family that you can possibly get access to. The results of this work will testify that it is the most profitable work a gospel minister can do. (Ev 440.1) MC VC

If he neglects this work, the visiting of the people in their homes, he is an unfaithful shepherd, and the rebuke of God is upon him. His work is not half done. If he had given personal labor, there would have been a large work done and many souls gathered. (Ev 440.2) MC VC

No excuse will God accept for thus neglecting the most essential part of the ministry, which is the proper binding off of the work, and binding the messenger bearing the truth up with the flock, the sheep, and the lambs of the Lord’s pasture. The Lord Himself makes the human instrument a channel of light to the people, through his personal efforts, in identifying himself with the people for whom he is laboring. (Ev 440.3) MC VC

The weak of the flock need strengthening at the right time—words spoken that will comfort, strengthen, and establish them that they will become rooted, grounded, and established in the faith. This is the way and the means God has ordained to meet the people where they are. I recognize in the places where I have thus far labored, the very places which have been lost to the cause of God because the messengers who have brought to them the truth have not ministered because it was not pleasant business to engage in this work.—Letter 18, 1893. (Ev 440.4) MC VC

Work Cannot Be Done by Proxy—By personal labor reach the people where they are. Become acquainted with them. This work cannot be done by proxy. Money loaned or given cannot accomplish it. Sermons from the pulpit cannot do it. Teaching the Scriptures in families,—this is the work of an evangelist, and this work is to be united with preaching. If it is omitted, the preaching will be, to a great extent, a failure. (Ev 440.5) MC VC