Canvassing by Editor

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Dec 14, 1882

Canvassing.

By Editor

IN the minds of very many persons there is a great prejudice against canvassing, or any one who is engaged in that business. And yet there is no real reason why it should be so. If the canvasser is an honorable man, dealing kindly and fairly with all, and handles only those things that are useful, and that will recommend themselves to the purchaser, his is as honorable a way of earning a living as is the grocer's or the dry-goods merchant's. Such an one, if he continues in one section of country, and becomes known to the inhabitants, will be looked upon as a friend.

But the canvasser need not look upon his work as a mere means of earning a living. If he realizes that he is doing good, in short, that he is a missionary, his work will be ennobled, and he himself will be elevated by it. If he is canvassing for a really valuable book, one that teaches things of the greatest importance, we see no reason why he should not be considered a missionary, for what more can any missionary do than to teach men those things that they most need to know? His work does not end when the book is delivered and he has received the money, but the influence of the transaction will be felt in all coming time. Let the book canvasser, then, consider himself an educator.

We call attention again to our "Subscription Book Department," as containing just the books to be used in this work. They sell readily, as has been proved by experience, and they are such books as any one can confidently recommend. We have not space at present to particularize, but ask you to send for terms to agents, and an outfit.