Setting a Goal by W. W. EASTMAN

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 30, 1915

Setting a Goal

By W. W. EASTMAN

The following communication from the Montana Conference well illustrates the wisdom of setting a goal and then working hard to pass it. The communication referred to is from E. E. Stratton, field missionary agent, and is as follows:—

“Montana has reached her goal! It was with some hesitancy last winter and early spring, as we looked over our little empire and surveyed its possibilities for the canvassing work, that we set our aim at $8,000 for the year 1915. Heretofore, Montana has been ranging from $3,000 to $6,000, and to set our mark at $8,000 was like taking a leap in the dark; but in a sense we were like a noted English author who said, “One’s reach should far exceed his grasp in order to do his very best.” But by the gracious hand of the Master in not only giving us an abundant harvest, but in creating inquiry in many minds as never before, and by the splendid cooperation of our faithful men, we were able to scale the almost dizzy heights in the first eight months. No doubt we shall crowd the $10,000 mark by December 31.

“Our men have done nobly, and I want to compliment them again on the faithful, persistent, determined way they have pushed their work to success. Only one man dropped out of our ranks, and this was due to an attack of appendicitis. Twelve men went into the field last spring, and at this writing eleven of the original twelve, together with two additional ones, are holding a firm front. Of this number eight have reached the $100 mark, and two or three have gone above it as many as seven different weeks during the season. Surely God has blessed in a wonderful manner, and eternity alone will reveal the work that is indicated by these figures. I wish that I could insert the words of encouragement that have been written to me from the several men on the firing line, but space will not permit. In nearly every week’s report one or more would tell how persons bought books because they were Adventist works, and in one case a lady requested that a minister be sent to that district. I wish that it might be possible to relate more, and give incidents of real results, but I shall let the following report speak for itself:—

Montana’s Sale Statement

Jan. 1 to Sept. 1, 1915

NAME	BOOK	HOURS	VALUE
C. A. Andrews	G. C.	212	$504.00
Harry Cooper	B. R.	366	$907.50

| Clifford Flaiz | B. R. | 477 | $1169.50 | | Ted Flaiz | B. R. | 387 | $836.75 | | Austin Follett | B. R. | 377 | $586.25 | | Roy Loutzenhiser | G. C. | 75 | $340.70 | | M. E. Mullinnex | G. C. | 481 | $1135.55 | | A. C. Madsen | B. R. | 267 | $409.00 | | Wm. J. Merickle | B. R. | 242 | $526.00 | | H. L. Newell | U. S. | 135 | $118.50 | | Stephen Palmer | U. S. | 133 | $148.25 | | J. J. Strahle | G. C. | 458 | $1163.50 | | Fred Thompson | B. R. | 538 | $810.00 | | John H. Betz | G. C. | 39 | $19.50 | | Helen Orr | B. R. | 56 | $100.00 | | | | | | | Grand total | | 4243 | $8775.05 | | Average per hour | | | 2.07 | | Average per week | | | 73.10 |

We pass this along with the hope that it will encourage others to do likewise, for surely every conference should show an increase in literature sales every year till the work is finished.

W. W. EASTMAN.